Malvern track and field shines at Fairless invitational

The Hornets took advantage of beautiful weather at the Fairless Falcon Invitational, held April 4 at Fairless High School.

The track and field season may be young, but Malvern competed as if it were midseason, excelling in running, throwing, hurdling and jumping events.

Any discussion of Malvern track must include Parker Bowe and Owen Ball, two of the Hornets’ most accomplished athletes. They did not disappoint. Bowe placed first in the shot put (56-0.5) and second in the discus (166-4). Ball placed second in both the 100-meter and 300-meter hurdles with times of 15.43 and 42.60, respectively.

Malvern’s success extended beyond individual performances, as the relay teams also turned in strong showings. The boys 4x200-meter relay team of Karsen Farmer, Aiden Sprague, Julius Gore and Ball placed third, as did the 4x400-meter relay team of Sprague, Camrin Detchon, Cooper Dorr and Ball.

Detchon also placed fourth in the 800-meter run and ran a leg on the 4x800-meter relay team with Dalton Pennington, Jacob McClelland and Dorr. The 4x100-meter relay team of Farmer, Braden Earley, Sprague and Gore placed fifth.

Dorr finished sixth in the 400-meter dash, and Gabe Martino placed seventh in the shot put.

For the girls, Malvern produced one individual champion and one relay champion. Mya Doughty won the long jump with a leap of 14-10 and anchored the Hornets’ winning 4x200-meter relay team with Avery Sprague, Kami Rayborn and Olivia Maher.

Malvern’s girls also recorded two runner-up finishes as Rayborn placed second in the 400-meter dash (1:03.03) and Olivia Maher was second in the 100-meter hurdles (16.71).

Several Hornets placed third, including Marissa Passio in the discus (95-5) and Olivia Maher in the 300-meter hurdles (51.64). The 4x400-meter relay team of Sprague, Emma Maher, Olivia Maher and Rayborn also placed third.

Sprague finished fourth in the 100-meter dash, Passio was sixth in the shot put and Emma Maher placed seventh in the 100-meter hurdles.

Softball

The week did not begin or end well, but the middle provided excitement.

After a 19-3 home loss to United (2-2) March 31, Malvern hosted Lisbon David Anderson April 2 in a nonconference matchup. The Hornets jumped out to an early lead, scoring eight runs in the first inning.

The Blue Devils responded with 11 runs between the third and fifth innings to take an 11-10 lead. They added an insurance run in the seventh, but it was not enough.

Lexi Brabant drove in the winning run in a walk-off 13-12 victory, capping a three-run rally. Brabant and Skye Harmon each had two hits, and Harmon drove in three RBIs. Ashlyn Bush added two doubles, a single and three runs scored.

Malvern closed the week with a 9-7 loss to Wellsville. The Hornets led 5-1 after two innings, but the Tigers (3-3) scored eight runs from the third through sixth innings to rally.

Amber Gray went 3 for 3 with a double and two runs scored for Malvern (3-4).

Baseball

Malvern is still searching for its first win but continues to show progress.

The Hornets opened the season with three straight losses but have been competitive.

On March 31, Malvern lost 8-2 at United after leading 2-0 midway through the fifth inning before the Golden Eagles scored eight runs in the bottom half.

Owen Warth went 2 for 3 and drove in both runs.

Malvern hosted David Anderson April 2 and lost 19-1 in a shortened game. Wade Barkley had a hit, drew a walk and scored the Hornets’ only run.

Malvern closed the week April 3 with a 3-1 loss to Claymont. Warth drove in the Hornets’ lone run.

Cam Good and Cooper Kiehl delivered strong pitching performances, but Malvern stranded eight runners. Barkley and Darnell Jackson each hit a double.