2-for-2; Lady Raiders win again

By rscaife
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Updated: April 11, 2017

By Kenny Varner
TYRONE – Playing in their second game in as many games, the Bellefonte softball team didn’t seem worse for wear as they used a strong defense and a very tough pitching performance by ace Tara Baney to defeat Tyrone 3-1 Tuesday afternoon at the Golden Eagles’ field.
Baney, who also took to the mound for the second consecutive day, seemed to get better after each inning, tossing a 3-hitter and striking out nine en route to the victory.
The senior hurler also showed he leadership at the plate, running out a dropped strike out and landing on third via an error which led to a late insurance run.
Baney also struck out nine Golden Eagle batters on the way to the win.
“That’s the way she is. We pitched her yesterday and we knew that she would be good to go today,” Bellefonte coach Fred Caldwell said about Baney’s strengths. “Running out the strike out and making it to third was huge for us.”
Offensively, Emma Dehaas led the way, posting two of the Lady Raiders five hits in the ball game and scoring two of the three runs as well. Defensively, she was tested numerous times collecting four put outs in the game.
In the first inning, Bellefonte picked up a run in its first at bats.
With one out, Dehaas led off inning with a blast that bounced off the pitchers shin and into the outfield.
She moved up a base when Rianna Trexler roped a single to left.
Both moved up two pitches later on a wild pitch by Tyrone hurler Sydney Shaw, putting runners on second and third.
Baney showed great patience at the plate as she followed with a walk to load the bases.
Bellefonte’s Jaelyn Smith picked up an RBI single when she hustled out an infield hit, making it 1-0.
Tyrone battled back in its portion of the first, thanks to heads up running by Cate Banon. Banon, who had two hits for the Golden Eagles, hit her first one in the first. Her smack to right set the stage.
She stole second base a pitch later and moved to third on a wild pitch.
Minutes later she scored on a rare second wild pitch by Baney.
However, that would be the last defensive mistake the Lady Raiders would make on the night as they shut down Tyrone inning after inning.
Bellefonte added its second run in the top of the third. Dehaas again started things off with a single.
She advanced to second on a Tyrone Wild pitch.
Trexler moved her to third as she bounced a fielders choice slow chopper to third.
Baney brought in Dehaas on a fielders choice, giving them the 2-1 advantage.
With the game sailing right along, the Lady Raiders added one last insurance run in the top of the sixth.
It would be Baney once again making a heads up play.
After striking out swinging on the third strike, the Tyrone catcher dropped the ball and Baney ran hard to first. The throw went over the first baseman’s head into right field. Without ever looking back or stopping the senior leader went right into third unscathed.
Another wild pitch later and Baney was in the dug out safely home.
In the seventh, the Bellefonte defense ended things as Baney forced Maddi Grazier to ground to third while striking out Shaw.
She ended the game getting Emily Lehman to bounce out.
Despite the two days of action, Caldwell sees that the minor aches and pains will be nothing that a good day off couldn’t fix.
“We have our normal nicks and bumps. But a good day of rest will help us be ready for Central Thursday,” Caldwell said.