Bald Eagle shines in defensive contest versus Bellefonte

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: April 15, 2024

By Kenny Varner

BELLEFONTE – It was the game most Bald Eagle and Bellefonte players had circled on their calender when the season schedule was released.

Monday was the day as the Lady Raiders hosted the Lady Eagles in Laurel Highlands softball action.

Mother Nature relented for the day giving the two teams picture perfect weather to reignite their friendly rivalry.

In the end, it would be Bald Eagle Area as they took home the hard fought 3-0 victory.

Sierra Albright picked up the win for the Eagles going seven strong, striking out 10 and scattering only three hits.

“The three phases of the game, offense, defense and pitching if you win 2-out-of-the three you have a good chance of coming out on top,” said Bald Eagle Area’s coach Don Lucas.”She (Albright) had good control all day.”

Going into the fourth the Bald Eagle bats starting coming through in plating two runs, ending the scoreless stalemate.

Addisyn Burns led things off with a single back the middle. She was forced out on a Ava Stere grounder.

With Stere on first, Sydney Thompson blasted a shot to the fence, scoring Stere all the way from first, landing herself a RBI double.

Teammate Alexis Baney blasted a RBI double as well, plating Thompson, making it a 2-0 contest.

Both teams notched their first hit in the second. The Eagles, Thompson roped the first hit of the game, roping past second.

Bellefonte held her on base, stopping the Eagles offense.

In the bottom of the inning, Bellefonte threatened as it loaded the bases.

With one out, Jaylee Lose walked. Taylor Brown followed with the Red Raiders first hit, a shot into center.

Sienna Barnhart was very patient at the plate, as she walked as well loading the bases.

With the pressure on, Albright shut things down by striking out two consecutive batters to keep the game scoreless.

Bellefonte once again threatened in the third.

“They (Bellefonte) really battled today. You could see it on the field defensively. They were diving for balls and getting balls hit into the gaps. The fielding was good,” said Bellefonte coach Erica DeVinney. “We were just one hit shy of having a big inning in a few innings.”

But like in the second, Albright rose to the occasion, striking out the next two batters to still keep it scoreless.

Bald Eagle plated two in the fourth.

Both teams went quietly in the fifth, sending the game into the sixth still a 2-0 nod for the Eagles.

The Lady Eagles added another run in the sixth on the bat of Thompson once again. Thompson, who went 3-for-3 with a run and 2RBIs on the night sent a screamer to the left field fence, scoring Burns who was on first via a single.

Bellefonte threatened in the bottom of the inning, posting runners on first and second with two outs.

However, Albright was cool under pressure striking out the final batter of the inning, keeping the 3-0 lead.

Albright took it from there ending the contest in a 1-2-3 seventh inning to notch the win.

The game was a strong defensive effort by both teams. Bald Eagle finished with six hits while Bellefonte tallied three.

Bald Eagle Area 3, Bellefonte 0

BEA 000 201 0 – 3 6 1

BEL 000 000 0 – 0 3 0

WP: Sierra Albright

LP: Carley Clarkson

Multiple hitters: BEA – Sydney Thompson 3-for-3 run, 2RBIs, Addisyn Burns 2-for-3, run . BEL – Taylor Brown 2-for-3.

HR: BEA – None . BEL – None.

3B: BEA – None. BEL – None.