Winning pitcher Emily Novicki hit for the cycle Friday to lead Berwick to a 16-4, six-inning romp over visiting Wilkes-Barre Area in a Wyoming Valley Conference Division 1 softball game.
Novicki struck out 16 and walked just one in a five-hitter. She went 4-for-4, using the home run, triple, double and single to drive in five runs and score two.
Gabby Starr had a single, double and home run while driving in four and McKenzie Waltman had a single, triple, home run and three RBI.
Berwick used the win to take over sole possession of third place in the division at 8-5. The Lady Bulldogs are 10-7 overall.
Elsewhere, Pittston Area remained in title contention and Elk Lake remained unbeaten in softball.
Gianna Adams held Hazleton Area scoreless for the first five innings while Pittston Area built a seven-run lead on the way to an 8-3 victory over visiting Hazleton Area in a WVC Division 1 game.
The second-place Lady Patriots improved to 8-2 in the division and 8-3 overall by beating Hazleton Area (7-6, 11-7). The Lady Cougars began the day in a third-place tie.
The win moved Pittston Area within 1½ games of the lead and kept Tunkhannock from clinching at least a tie for the division title. The Lady Tigers had their game at Wyoming Valley West moved to Thursday.
Elk Lake turned back a challenge from second-place Blue Ridge to stretch its Lackawanna League Division 4 lead to three games, clinching at least a tie for first place.
The Lady Warriors added a non-league win to improve District 2’s only unbeaten overall record to 12-0.
Elk Lake defeated Blue Ridge, 6-3, and Towanda, 10-5.
At Pittston Area, Hazleton Area managed three unearned runs in the top of the sixth against Adams, who walked three and struck out seven.
Sage Weidlich and Kallie Booth led the offense with two hits and two RBI each. Weidlich had a triple. Booth had a double.
Tori Para and Nikki Dennnis also had two hits.
Madison Forsythe had a single, triple and two RBI for Hazleton Area.
MMI Prep edged Nanticoke, 7-6, in a nine-inning WVC Division 2 game.
BOYS LACROSSE
Delaware Valley scored nine first-quarter goals on the way to a 19-5, WVC victory over Tunkhannock.
Finnegan McCormack scored five goals while Nate Melnick and Brady Quinn added four each. Melnick also had an assist.
