And both sure are making big impacts upon their returns. That continued Thursday at Warrior Run as Ryder and Kresock left their finger prints all over an impressive, well-rounded Loyalsock win.

Ryder went 3 for 4 with a two-run home run and Kresock threw a five-hitter in her first varsity start as Loyalsock defeated Warrior Run, 14-1 in five innings. Every starter, as well as reserve Sophia Mileto, produced hits and Loyalsock (5-1, 4-0 HAC-III) won its fifth straight game while remaining unbeaten in league play and tied for first with Midd-West.

“We adjusted pretty well tonight to the pitching,” Loyalsock coach Mark Godfrey said. “We were flat against Hughesville (Tuesday) and didn’t adjust, so we’ve been working hard on that and they’ve been doing well with it.”

Ryder emphatically showed that in her first at-bat, turning practice into outstanding execution. After Bella Mileto (3 for 3, 2 RBIs, 2 runs) opened the game with a bunt single, Ryder sent the next pitch soaring over the left-field fence for her home run which put Loyalsock ahead 2-0.

Katie Ryder of Loyalsock pulls in a fly ball for an out on a hit by Liana Dion of Warrior Run in the second inning at Warrior Run High School April 13, 2023. Loyalsock won 14-1. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Ryder’s blast set the tone and Loyalsock scored at least four runs in each of the first three innings, while building a 13-0 lead. All that against a team which gave Central Columbia and Mifflinburg battles the last two weeks and which started 2-0 in the HAC-III.

“I think that gave us a lot of momentum,” Ryder said. “We were just talking about how it’s great to start a game like that, especially in the second at-bat, getting the lead right away.”

Ryder played well as a freshman on Loyalsock’s District 4 Class AAA champion but is one of District 4’s fastest runners, so she gave track a shot and excelled, qualifying for states in the 200-meter dash. Still, Ryder’s heart remained on the softball field. A valuable starter for Loyalsock’s state qualifying basketball team last winter, Ryder missed working together as a group and returned to help anchor a speed, reliable outfield.

What a return the junior is making, too. Ryder has hit safely in all six games and mixes a potent blend of speed and power. She showed off both at Warrior Run, following her home run by easily beating out two bunt singles.

“I just like contact sports more. Track is a team sport, but it’s more working as an individual,” Ryder said. “I think that’s a big part of it because I like the team aspect more than the individual aspect.”

Bella Mileto of Loyalsock rounds first base on a hit against Warrior Run in the third inning at Warrior Run High School April 13, 2023. Loyalsock won 14-1. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“She’s been doing well for us. She’s first one to practice, one of last to leave,” Godfrey said. “She’s so fast, so we utilize that speed as much as we can. When she hits the ball she is powerful and can hit it a long way.”

Kresock made sure a dangerous Warrior Run offense did not hit the ball far. With Loyalsock in the midst of a busy week and heading to Abington Heights Friday, it decided to rest senior Marissa Helmrich after she struck out 15 in Tuesday’s win at Hughesville. The decision, though, was not an easy one.

And that has nothing to do with Kresock’s ability. It was more because the freshman was drilled with a wicked line drive in the season opener against Montoursville. Kresock was wearing a mask but the way the ball hit off that mask elicited chills throughout the field that day.

Her returning was as much psychological as it was physical. But Kresosck showed she has the toughness to match her talent and was one out from throwing a shutout. She surrendered just two hits through four innings and only three hits left the infield.

“It just took a while to come back,” Kresock said. “I’m good now.”

Anna Luxenburger of Loyalsock is safe at second base as Maura Woland of Warrior Run tries to make the tag at Warrior Run High School April 13, 2023. Loyalsock won 14-1. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

She was actually pretty great yesterday, stifling a team which entered hitting a collective .304. Warrior Run scored at least five runs in each of its first seven games, but Kresock pounded the strike zone, let just one runner reach second through four innings and kept the Defenders off-balance with her movement and changing speeds. The right-hander also had Warrior Run chasing pitches and induced seven pop-outs to the infield or flyouts to the outfield.

Kresock was not afraid to pitch to contact either. That went double with shortstop Natayah Abdul-Hakim and catcher Maddie Luxenbeger making some brilliant plays, while Ryder, Mileto and Hailey Berkheiser covered ample ground in the outfield. Mya Evans hit a one-out double in the bottom of the fifth and Liana Dion (2 for 3) a two-out RBI single. Kresock, though, came up big after Warrior Run loaded the bases, closing the game by striking out the clean-up hitter.

“I was just trying to throw strikes. My defense was amazing for me,” Kresock said. “I wanted to help my team. I wanted to do well for my team.”

She sure did that. And her teammates did well for her, too.

Mileto and Anna Luxenberger both went 3 for 3 with two RBIs and Maddie Luxenberger was 2 for 3. Berkheiser doubled off the center field fence and Helmrich, Abdul-Hakim and Kathryn Ray all had two RBIs.

Pitcher Lydia Kresock of Loyalsock catches a pop up for an out hit by Lakesha Hauck of Warrior Run in the third inning at Warrior Run High School April 13, 2023. Loyalsock won 14-1. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Loyalsock produced 13 hits through the first three innings when it built its 13-0 lead. The Lancers came out aggressive, collecting four hits on the first six pitches they saw. Luxenberger and Abdul-Hakim followed with hits and both scored on an error and Helmrich’s RBI grounder.

Ryder played long ball in her first at-bat but went small ball in the next, and her bunt singles were key plays in rallies which produced nine runs.

“I like bunting a lot,” Ryder said. “But hitting it far is fun, too.”

Loyalsock 454 01–14 17 0

Warrior Run 000 01–1 5 3

Hailey Berkheiser of Loyalsock is tagged out a home by McKenna Forman of Warrior Run in the fourth inning at Warrior Run High School April 13, 2023. Loyalsock won 14-1. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Lydia Kresock and Maddie Luxenberger. Isabella Shupp, Mackenzie Heyler (2) and McKenna Furman. W: Kresock. L: Shupp.

Top Loyalsock hitters: Bella Mileto 3-3, 3B, 2 RBIs, 2 runs; Katie Ryder 3-4, HR, 2 RBIs, 3 runs; Anna Luxenberger 3-3, 2 RBIs, 3R, 2 SBs; M. Luxenberger 2-3, 2 runs; Sophia Mileto 1-1, RBI; Marissa Helmrich 1-3, 2 RBIs; Hailey Berkheiser 1-3, 2B, run; Natayah Abdul-Hakim 1-4, 2 RBIs, 2 runs; Ava Damiano 1-4; Kathryn Ray 1-4, 2 RBIs. Top Warrior Run hitters: Liana Dion 2-3, RBI; Brooke Ryder 1-1; Mya Evans 1-1, 2B, run; Kayla Swartchick 1-3.

Records: Loyalsock (5-1, 4-0 HAC-III), Warrior Run (4-5, 2-2).