Eckert homers, lifts BEA softball to state semis after strong defensive effort

Oct 29, 2023

Jun 9, 2023

CATTAWISSA – Back where they belong!

For the second year in-a-row, the Bald Eagle Area softball team is heading back to the PIAA Semifinals. The Eagles got a total team victory Thursday as they defeated a very scrappy group from Minersville, 3-2.

Helping lift Bald Eagle Area to the win was Kailey Eckert. Eckert went 2-for-4, including a fourth inning two-run blast to put her team ahead for good.

"Great game, we played very well defensively. Had numerous opportunities to score more runs probably left 8+ runners stranded. But give credit to their pitcher for continuing working out of jams," Bald Eagle Area coach Don Lucas said.

Sierra Albright brought her veteran arm into the contest, scattering only five hits and two runs. She finished the contest with seven strike outs.

She went up against the Fighting Miners’ hurler Kaycee Racza.

"Sierra Albright pitched very well again giving up only 3 hits/2 runs while walking 3," coach Lucas mentioned.

The Fighting Miners opened the contest loading the bases. With one out, Averee Horoschak started things off with a walk. Hart roped a double off the centerfield wall, putting runners on second and third.

Albright intentionally walked Racza to face Payton Frantz.

The Eagles hurler got out of the inning unscathed by striking the last two batters.

Similarly like their last contest versus Muncy, the Bald Eagles were able to pick up a run in the first inning.

Eckert got the ball rolling as she doubled to center as well. She scored on a Lex Baney bunt that was overthrown at first base by the Minersville catcher, giving the Eagles the lead.

"Kailey Eckert had a great day at the plate. She had a hand in all three runs. (It was) a complete team victory," Lucas concluded.

Both teams had a quick second inning as neither team could mount a score.

Minersville got on the board in a big way in the third inning.

After a double by Ava Long, Hart sent a booming shot over the centerfield wall for the two-run homer and the lead.

But the veteran Bald Eagle team seemed unfazed as they headed into the bottom of the fourth.

In a game of anything-you-can-do-I-can-do-better, the Eagles also used the long ball to their advantage.

Speedster Taylor Habovick singled into right field. A stolen base later, she was in scoring position for Eckert.

Eckert took a pitch deep into centerfield as well, putting the Eagles back on top, 3-2.

With the momentum shift now on the side of Bald Eagle, the team found themselves in a position they are used to being in, holding onto a late lead.

From there, the Bald Eagle defense remained businessman like and the job done as they punched their ticket to the PIAA Class AA semifinals, just a win away from playing in the 2023 title tilt.

Bald Eagle Area 3, Minersville 2

MNV 002 000 0 – 2 5 2

BEA 100 200 x – 3 6 1

WP: Sierra Albright. LP: Kaycee Racza. 2B: Hart, Long. BEA- Eckert. Multiple hitters: MNV – Ava Long 2-for-4, Emily Hart 2-for-2. BEA – Kailey Eckert 2-for-4.

HR: MNV – Hart. BEA – Eckert.

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