The Bald Eagle Area softball team followed up its District 6 title victory by opening the PIAA Class 2A playoffs with a 1-0 win over Muncy on June 5 at home.
Unfortunately, Penns Valley and Bellefonte were eliminated on the same day. The Lady Rams lost to defending state champion Neshannock, 9-0, in New Castle, while the Lady Red Raiders lost to Montour, 5-2, at O’Leary Fields.
BEA star pitcher Sierra Albright recorded her 11th shutout of the season. The sophomore tossed a four-hitter and struck out seven in a pitching duel with Muncy’s Nolah Moyer. Moyer tossed a two-hitter and struck out 14.
The Lady Eagles scored their only run in the first inning. No. 4 hitter Ava Stere was intentionally walked, which moved No. 3 hitter Sydney Thompson to second base. Shae Housel followed with a single to short right field off of Moyer, and Thompson raced home.
The game ended with catcher Kailey Eckert throwing out a Muncy runner attempting to steal second with two outs in the top of the seventh.
The 21-2 Lady Eagles are scheduled to play District 11 champion Minersville in the quarterfinals on June 8 at a site, time and location to be announced. Minersville (16-8) pounded District 2 champ Elk Lane, 14-3.
Penns Valley was a big underdog going against Neshannock (21-0), which has now won 47 straight games. The Lady Rams had seven hits against Addy Frye, who struck out 12 and walked none.
Montour pitcher Kaitlyn Molitoris recorded nine strikeouts against Bellefonte. The Lady Raiders had seven hits, including two each by Grace Novitsky, Sienna Barnhart and Haylie Rimmey.
The Lady Rams finished with a 16-6 record, while the Lady Red Raiders ended up 14-7.
Here is how the three Centre County teams did in their games prior to the state playoff opener:
BEA BEATS PV TO REPEAT AS D6 CHAMP
Top-seeded BEA won its second straight District 6 Class 2A title and ninth overall in 18th appearances in the title game with a 5-1 win over second-seeded Penns Valley on June 1 at Saint Francis University.
“Each opportunity the team puts themselves in to playing for a district title brings a sense of accomplishment for the coaching staff,” BEA coach Don Lucas sad. “Each one is different because, for the most part, there are new players at some positions vacated by graduating players. So the victory is always sweet and satisfying for all of us.”
It was a record-setting performance by Albright, who tossed a five-hitter, struck out 11 and walked none. With 231 strikeouts this season, Albright broke the Centre County season record of 227, which was set by 2005 Bellefonte graduate Laura Caldwell.
“I believe that Sierra knows she doesn’t need to be perfect,” Lucas said. “She understands that she has a solid defense behind her and giving up a hit here and there isn’t hurting anything. She also has this unflappable personality. She is never too high or too low.
“She trusts her catcher (Eckert) to make tough stops and a pitch framing ability second to none. I always ask her how she is feeling. Her response was, ‘I’m more than ready.’ Her look convinced me she had it in control.”
Her counterpart, Taylor Bumgardner, also tossed a five-hitter, struck out nine and walked two. She also had two doubles off Albright.
“Taylor pitched well also,” Lucas said, “but we were able to string some hits together.”
The biggest hit of the day came early in the scoreless game. Housel’s two-run home run in the second inning gave BEA a 2-0 lead. Housel finished with three RBIs. Stere had two hits and an RBI.
“Shae’s hit was huge,” Lucas said. “Getting the lead was important, giving Albright some cushion and putting a little pressure on PV. She has been steady all year both offensively and defensively. She is right behind Ava Stere, so teams just can’t pitch around Ava. I have seen her power in the past, so watching that ball leave the park didn’t shock me.”
The Lady Rams, who lost 8-1 to BEA on April 11, avoided becoming Albright’s 11th shutout by scoring a run in the sixth inning.
Penns Valley coach Terry Bumgardner couldn’t be reached for comment.
BELLEFONTE FINDS A WAY AGAINST ST. MARYS
Bellefonte only had five hits against St. Marys at DuBois’ beautiful Heindl Field, but the Lady Red Raiders took advantage of their opportunities in a 3-2 win.
Sophomore Ragan Manning had two hits off pitcher Kendall Young, including a solo home run over the left field fence in the second inning. Young had 13 strikeouts and one walk.
“I think our team played with heart,” said Meranda Poorman, who recently took over as Bellefonte’s coach. “Our defense stayed the course and didn’t let up when we needed them the most.”
Manning scored another run on a defensive collapse in the fourth inning by the Lady Dutch.
Bellefonte junior Grace Novitsky hit a ground ball that was misplayed by third baseman Kara Hanslovan, allowing Manning to score. Novitsky scored on the play on an errant throw back to third. The Flying Dutch committed five errors in the game.
Lady Raider senior pitcher Josselyn Nau gave up eight hits while striking out two and walking none. Both of the Lady Dutch’s runs came in the bottom of the fourth on a double by Gianna Surra and a single by Lindsey Reiter. Nau wiggled out of the jam by inducing a pop-up.
“Josselyn Nau saw some tough batters,” Poorman said, “but continues to come out on top.’
In the previous inning, Bellefonte shortstop Madison Melius threw Reiter out at home on a ground ball.
