Bald Eagle drops Huntingdon in five inning contest
By Kenny Varner
WINGATE – Breaking out the hardware.
Offensively, the Bald Eagle Area softball team proved patient at the plate resulting in double-digit hits on the afternoon in their 12-0 victory over a previously undefeated Huntingdon Bearcats Thursday afternoon.
Leading the offensive attack for the Eagle was Ava Stere and Addyson Burns. Burns who went 2-for-4 with three RBIs and three runs scored while Stere finished with two hits as well, four RBIs and a run.
Taylor Habovick led her team in hits going pounding out three hits with two runs scored.
Bald Eagle pitcher Sierra Albright was on target allowing only one hit along with nine strike outs for the game shortened shut out win.
“We came out of the gate a little slow but the last two games we’ve played very well,” said Bald Eagle coach Don Lucas. “We put the ball in play and had some crucial bunts. I thought our bunting game was really on spot tonight which is something we work hard on. All-in-all we won all three stages of the game.”
After setting down the Bearcats in order in the first, Bald Eagle got its offense warmed up as it posted a bases loaded scenario.
However, the Bearcats ended the rally unscathed, keeping things scoreless heading into the second.
Huntingdon posted its only hit of the game in the second inning.
With a runner on, Kennedy Williams roped a grounder into left to Sydney Thompson. Thompson got the throw in quickly to her cut off person, Burns. Burns was able to throw out a hesitating Izadore Kozmarski who was heading back to second after rounding the base. That would be as fall as any Bearcat got the rest of the afternoon on the base paths.
Bald Eagle continued to provide patience at the plate and in the process plate six runs in the bottom of the second.
Alexis Baney led off the inning with a walk. Her stay on the base paths would be a quick one as teammate Alyssa King roped a double into left, making it a 1-0 contest.
Albright put down a bunt down first base that was thrown over the head of the Bearcats second baseman who was covering first. The error allowed King to motor her way home, upping it to a 2-run advantage. Sierra Albright was replaced by courtesy runner Savannah Albright on the base paths.
With one out, Habovick singled into left, putting runners at first and second.
Burns reached on an error at first as well, allowing Albright to cross the plate for run number three. In the playoffs both runners moved up a base.
Stere doubled both in on a double to left field. Habovick scored easily, while Burns evaded a play at the plate going around the catchers tag and across the plate, upping the lead to five. Stere finished the scoring in the inning thanks to a sacrifice fly by Shae Housel.
Another Huntingdon at bat, another 1-2-3 inning for Albright.
The offensive attack continued into the third with the Lady Wagles adding four more runs to take a double digit lead into the fourth.
Albright helped her own cause in the third, singling to right field. Again, the hurler was replaced on the base paths by Savannah Albright.
Lead off hitter Kailey Eckert put down a picture perfect bunt ending in an infield single that put runners on first and second.
Habovick loads the bases for the second time, setting the stage for Burns.
Burns bounced into a fielders choice allowing both Eckert and Albright to score, putting the Eagles up 8-0.
Habovick would make it 9-0 as she scored on a Stere fielders choice.
Burns would end the scoring when she reached home safely thanks to a Shae Housel single back up the middle.
That would be all that Albright and the Eagles defense would need, shutting the Bearcats down in the top of the fourth and fifth while the Eagles added two insurance runs to take home the victory in five.
Bald Eagle hosts Punxsutawney Monday.