A 2-1 loss to Nazareth Academy ends Becahi softball season

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/

FROM KEITH GROLLER

Tears were flowing Thursday afternoon at Lyons where Bethlehem Catholic had its softball season end with a tough-luck 2-1 loss to District One champion Nazareth Academy in the PIAA 3A softball quarterfinals.

Despite outhitting the Pandas 7-4, the Golden Hawks had their season end at 24-3.

The Lehigh Valley Conference and District 11 champs had runners in every inning, but one. However, they had no extra-base hits and left seven on base, including four in scoring position.

"We had opportunities, but Nazareth Academy is a nice team and played well," Becahi coach Rich Mazza said. "That's the way it goes. It's disappointing today, but I don't want to take anything away from our season and what our six seniors meant to this program. It was a wonderful season. They did so much for our program."

The Golden Hawks took a 1-0 lead in the second when Joelle Morey singled, and courtesy runner Ann Li Dietrich moved to second on Kate Yanders' sacrifice bunt, advanced to third on Julia Madison's bunt single and scored on Jean Markovic's grounder to short.

Nazareth Academy (23-2) broke through for its only runs in the third when Taylor Lichtenhahn led off with a triple to deep center to get things started. With two on and one out, Tamara Jennings doubled down the line in left to chase home the tying and go-ahead runs.

That was it for the scoring, even though both teams had later chances.

Winning pitcher Emily Shellenberger never recorded a strikeout, but got great defensive support. She walked none, and hit one batter..

"Emily throws a heavy ball," Nazareth Academy coach Bob Keating said. "It looks like it's not that fast, but it's heavy and if you don't swing through it, it doesn't go and you pop it up. She got pitches in on the hands. Our third baseman caught three foul popups alone today."

Keating, whose team will advance to the PIAA 3A semis for the first time on Monday after being denied in the quarterfinals three times, gave a nice compliment to Becahi.

"They're as good a team as we've played," he said. "They're well-coached and a real tough team. This was a great win for us."

Bethlehem Catholic -- 010 000 0 -- 1 7 1

Nazareth Academy -- 003 000 x -- 3 4 0

Morey and Markovic; Shellenberger and Cox.

2B-- NA, Jennings. 3B-- NA, Lichtenhahn.