By: TODD RUTH Review Sports Editor truth.eph@lnpnews.com, Staff Writer

Coming off its greatest season in program history, one which culminated in both an L-L and District Three championship, Ephrata appeared to be headed for a rebuilding year in 2013.

Afterall, the Mounts graduated 13 seniors from that team, all of whom played key roles. And, to make matters worse, Blake Weaver, one of just three returning starters for this year, is out for at least the foreseeable future with a knee injury suffered during football season.

But following a pair of non-league losses to start the season, the Mounts made a huge statement Tuesday afternoon at Hempfield that they may not be in rebuilding mode afterall.

With the score tied at 7-7 in the final minute of play, junior Koty Keefer fed a pass to the front of the net where teammate Scott Gordon was stationed. Gordon turned and beat Hempfield goalie Dylan Risner with 13 ticks remaining to give the Mounts a huge 8-7 come-from-behind victory over the Black Knights.

By: TODD RUTH Review Sports Editor truth.eph@lnpnews.com, Staff Writer

The start was rather inauspicious. However, the finish was a typical Ephrata baseball work of art.

Ephrata fell behind visiting Daniel Boone, 6-0, in Saturday’s season opener at War Memorial and the Mounts were seemingly headed for a loss.

Ace pitcher Brandon Miller uncharacteristically struggled to find the strike zone in his debut and made it through just three innings, walking seven before giving way to the pen.

Defensively, the Mounts committed three errors behind Miller, and offensively the Mounts were held hitless through the first three frames.

However, baseball games can certainly turn on a dime. And that’s exactly what happened.

The bullpen of Ethan Sipe (3 IP, 2K, 0 BB) and Seth Griffith (1 IP) kept the Blazers at bay the rest of the way. And offensively, the Mounts woke up in a big way.

While Ephrata only had nine hits for the contest, the Mounts made the most of their remaining opportunities. And trailing 7-4 in the sixth, Ephrata exploded for 10-unanswered runs in the frame to take the lead for good.

By: TODD RUTH Review Sports Editor truth.eph@lnpnews.com, Staff Writer

Ephrata's Mary Witmer (front) clears the hurdle, well ahead of the rest of the field on her way to one of her four wins on the day Friday in the Lady Mounts' 102-48 team victory over Lampeter-Strasburg. (Photo by Stan Hall)

While Friday’s cold and wind were not optimal conditions for track and field, the Ephrata girls cleared their first major hurdle of the season nevertheless.

Sparked by their trio of Mary Witmer, Crystal Hartman and Kelly Liebl, who combined for a total of nine individual wins on the day, the Lady Mounts powered past Lampeter-Strasburg, 102-48, in the Section Two showdown for both schools.

Witmer claimed four victories on the day, claiming wins in the 400 (61.0), 100 hurdles (14.9), 300 hurdles (48.4) and triple jump (35- 1/4). Hartman took the shot put (31-1 1/4), discus (99-11) and javelin (117-6) while Liebl added wins in both the 100 (12.5) and long jump (15-2 1/2) to lead the defending Section Two champs to their first victory of 2013.

"I am very happy with the outcome," Ephrata Coach John Keller said. "Our girls know what is at stake and we cannot take anyone lightly."

Michael Kerstetter and Amy Leiphart

The Ephrata girls softball team used a late rally to overcome host Exeter and claim a win in their season debut Saturday morning in Berks County.

With the score tied at 2-2 in the top of the seventh, the Lady Mounts responded for four unanswered runs in the final frame which led to an eventual 6-2 victory over the Eagles.

Ephrata collected eight hits for the game, including four in their seventh-inning rally. Catcher Kirsten Kauffman delivered the big blow with a two-run game winning double.

Pitcher Jenna Yarger also had a fine day at the plate for Ephrata, going a perfect 3-for-3 on the day.

On the mound, Yarger limited Exeter to just two runs on two hits while striking out four batters on the day.

Ephrata led 2-0 with single runs in the top of the third and fourth innings. However, Exeter tied it in the bottom of the fourth on a two-run single off the bat of Emily Olsen.

Exeter pitcher Parker Fizz took the loss.

Ephrata was slated to begin the season Friday at home vs. Wilson but that game was postponed due to an unplayable field. No make-up date was announced.

By: BRUCE MORGAN Review Staff Writer, Staff Writer

The Warwick girls lacrosse team made a small adjustment in their draws at halftime on Tuesday against Cocalico.

It paid big rewards in the second half.

Capitalizing on more face-off wins and increased possession time, the Lady Warriors scored five unanswered goals following the intermission and never looked back, breaking open a 5-4 halftime lead and cruising to an 11-5 Section One win over Cocalico in Lititz.

Senior Alex White and Jess Talbot scored four goals apiece to fuel Warwick’s attack. White, who leads the Lady Warriors with seven goals this spring, also chipped in with two assists. Cocalico junior Katelyn Costanza scored two of her team-high three goals in the opening half to help keep the Lady Eagles close, but it wasn’t enough.

"Our defense did a good job in the first half," Warwick coach Eric Jeanes said, "but when you’re on defense for 15, 17 minutes of the half, you’re going to eventually give up some goals. So we just made a little change on the draw and we just started picking the ball up and keeping possession and getting good shots. It was just a better half."

With the late March snow now melting away it’s time to turn our attention to warmer days and children looking for those special Easter eggs this Saturday at locations throughout our area.

Here are a few of the major hunts scheduled, with more (including Reamstown in the Cocalico section on A-9) throughout this week’s edition.

Ephrata Lions Club

The grand old Ephrata Lions Club annual Easter Egg will once again commence in Tom Grater Park in the grassy area adjacent to the American Legion home at 1 p.m. Saturday.

The hunt is open to ages 0-10 and all are welcome to attend this rain or shine event. All attendees will receive a coloring book and special eggs will be hidden in each category.

Akron Lions Club

The Akron Lions Club will host its annual egg hunting adventure this Saturday at 1 p.m. in Loyd Roland Park.

The hunt will be held rain or shine and all attendees will receive a chocolate bunny. Youth will be divided into age groups as follows: 0-3, 4-5, first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth grades.

Baron Stiegel Lions Club

Thank you to all the readers who sent in nearly 200 photos of their beloved pets for our monthly "It’s All About You" contest.

This week there is a special 10-page, full-color section inside featuring all the pets. Don’t miss it! This month, we are also asking our readers to pick their favorite pet photo. An official ballot is located in the pet section and in the regular paper (no photocopies please). The winning photographer will earn a $25 gift certificate to a local restaurant.

On a related note coming off the popularity of pets, we would like to ask the readers for input on our May theme (April is Easter/spring).

Last year we had a very successful Memorial Day theme in May but it was suggested we try a different one this year and call for photos highlighting "Mom," in honor of Mother’s Day.

If you could please drop us a quick line and let us know your thoughts, that would be great.

Please e-mail afasnacht.eph@Lnpnews.com or call 721-4421. Thank you.

By: JAMES MCGINNIS Review Correspondent, Staff Writer

John McBeth

Now in his fourth decade of public service to the town of Akron, John McBeth recently announced that he plans to run for a third term as the borough’s mayor this spring.

McBeth, who owns a print shop in town, does not have any official opponent and has been endorsed by the Republican Committee. This means that unless someone launches a write-in campaign, he is guaranteed to win a third, four-year term as the borough’s Mayor.

McBeth said that he had no problem making the decision, proudly stating that he is not yet ready to retire from a career dating back over 30 years, to 1981, when he first joined the borough planning commission. He was subsequently elected to the borough council in 1989 and served a term as the board’s president before deciding to run for mayor in 2005.

McBeth explained why he decided to run for mayor after serving 16 years on the council.

"(I) wanted to take on new and different challenges to serve the town of Akron.

"It definitely wasn’t the pay that led me to switch," he jokes.