Caldana’s grand slam leads Lady Eagles to thrilling victory over Penns Valley

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: May 2, 2019

By Kenny Varner

MILESBURG – You could cut the tension with a knife.

In a moment that every softball player, Bald Eagle batterMarilee Caldana hit the grand slam came up to the plate with the bases loaded with their game tied against a very talented Penns Valley team.

She took a two-strike pitch way over the fence in left field to clinch the walk-off win for the Lady Eagles as they won 8-4.

“This is a great group of young ladies. We play a lot older than what we are. I’ve said this a lot this year but we are young. We are a majority of sophomores and freshman,” said Bald Eagle coach Don Lucas. “To won a game like this it takes a lot of guts. Penns Valley has a nice team. They really do. They’re going to be a team to be reckoned with.”

In a game that had a post season feel, the game was a game of momentum shifts with Bald Eagle getting the biggest one.

Penns Valley got a strong offensive performances by Avelyn Van Heyst (2-for-4 run, RBI), Kailen Winkleblech (2-for-4 2 runs,RBI) and Ryah Thompson (2-for-2 2RBIs).

Eagles’ hurler Madie Peters picked up the win while despite a strong effort on the mound, Lydia Collison took the hard fought loss. Peters went the distance, allowing four runs off eight hits and five strike outs while Collison gave up eight runs on seven hits and struck out five.

With the win, the Bald Eagles up their record to an almost perfect 14-1.

Bald Eagle opened the scoring in the bottom of the second.

King led off the inning with a single as she smoked a liner to short.

She stole second and scored on a fielders choice by Maddie Perry that ended in a Rams miscue, making it 1-0.

Perry reaches second on the play.

Perry later scored on a single by Kayliegh Kinley.

But the Bald Eagle lead would only be temporary as the Rams bounced back in the top of the third to take the lead.

“We told them yes it’s going to hurt but you played a great game. They just got the hit they needed to. It was a great hit and there is nothing we can do,” said Penns Valley coach Tessa Deardorff. “I told them that they played great and to let it fuel you. You got games coming up and take this into your next game.”

With two out, Kendra Bumgardner tripled to keep the inning alive.

She scored minutes later when Winkleblech singled into left field, cutting it to a 2-1 deficit.

Van Heyst kept the rally going as she singled into right.

Both scored on a 2RBI single by Thompson, giving them the 3-2 advantage.

In the fourth, the Rams added a run to their lead on consecutive doubles by Winkleblech and Van Heyst, making it 4-2.

But the Eagles refused to let this one goal as they manufactured two runs in the fifth, tying the contest.

Maddison Eckley led off the fifth with a liner into left.

She stole second.

McKena Baney followed with a walk.

After consecutive fielders choice plays, both players moved up to second and third with two out.

Peters helped her own cause slamming a 2-run single, tying the game and setting the stage for the drama that would occur in the seventh.

In the seventh, the Bald Eagles set down Rams scoreless.

With one last chance to keep the game to going into extras, the Eagles would put one last push.

Then after the Eagles got the bases loaded, it would be King’s chance to be the hero.

After battling at the plate, Caldana hit the grand slamhad two strikes against her when she sent a long high flying ball over the left field fence, sending all her teammates home happy.

Bald Eagle Area 8, Penns Valley 4,

PV 003 010 0 – 4 8 2

BEA 020 020 4 – 8 7 0

WP: Madie Peters (BEA)

LP: Lydia Collison (PV)

Multiple hitters: Penns Valley – Avelyn Van Heyst 2-for-4 run, RBI, Kailen Winkleblech 2-for-4 2 runs, RBI, Ryah Thompson 2-for-2 2RBI. BEA – Meagan King 2-for-4, 4RBI, 2 runs.

HR: Penns Valley -None. Bald Eagle Area – Marilee Caldana.

3B: Penns Valley – Kendra Bumgardner . BEA – None.

2B: Penns Valley – Kailen Winkleblech, Avelyn Van Heyst. BEA – None.