It all unravels for Becahi in the 10th; lose to Pottsville 5-1 in 3A softball final

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/ FROM KEITH GROLLER It was a classic battle for nine innings. But with the start of the International Rule in the top of the 10th inning on Thursday afternoon at Pates Park, things changed in more ways than one for Bethlehem Catholic. The International Rule means you start the inning with a runner on second base (the player who made the last out of the previous inning). But the Lady Tide didn't need that benefit. Three hits and three Becahi errors helped to produce four runs and the Golden Hawks couldn't solve Pottsville ace Steph Sweat in the bottom of the 10th and Pottsville happily returned home to Schuylkill County with a 5-1 win and the program's third district softball title -- first since 2005. A sacrifce bunt moved the initial Pottsville runner (Julino Bulino) to third. She scored on Kristen Wentzell's single to center. But things got much worse for Becahi (17-7) as an error followed and then two errors ensued after Caitlyn Herndon singled to left. Morgan Alisauckas singled to right to score one more run to cap the uprising. Becahi was limited to five hits by Sweat. The Golden Hawks got their lone run in the sixth when Lauren Visconti singled, stole second, moved to third on an error and scored on Jackie DeSarro's sac fly. Pottsville (23-2) moves on to the state tournament on Monday against the District 12 champ. "The International Rule didn't bother us because we've practiced and scrimmaged with runners on second base a lot, but we just kind of fell apart," said Becahi coach Rich Mazza. "We knew Steph Sweat tries to get you with high pitches and what the heck did we do? We went after just about every high pitch she threw. It's disappointing today, but overall, I am proud of how we turned it around and had a good season."