BEA seeking return trip to state final

By Walt Moody

Only one opponent stands between the Bald Eagle Area softball team and a return trip to the PIAA Class AA championship game in Shippensburg, but that foe casts a big shadow.

The Lady Eagles (22-3) face torrid WPIAL champion Riverside (20-1) in the PIAA Class AA semifinals at 4 p.m. today at Hollidaysburg’s Legion Park. The winner gets the chance to play the winner between District 3 champion Brandywine Heights (25-0) and District 4 champion Central Columbia (23-3) in the title game at 10 a.m. Friday at Shippensburg’s Robb Field.

BEA coach Dave Breon says there can’t be too much emphasis placed on today’s clash and he’s making sure his players know it.

“I think they need to understand what the game means,” said Breon, who is looking for his fourth PIAA title appearance in six seasons as Lady Eagles coach. “It’s the big game. It’s the game to go into the finals. That’s the one we’ve got to have. I don’t think (the pressure) is going to affect our kids, but they need to understand the importance of this game.”

The Lady Eagles will face one of the hottest teams in Class AA. Riverside has won 16 straight since dropping a 1-0 decision against Mohawk early in the season. The Lady Panthers have outscored their opponents 130-16 on the season, including 14 shutouts. They have a 25-2 edge in the postseason, including PIAA wins over Karns City (4-1) and Greensburg Central Catholic (5-0).

The big reason for the scoring disparity is pitcher Kari Falk. The senior, who has started since she was a freshman, is 19-1 and headed to Edinboro University in the fall. Falk tossed a three-hitter, struck out eight and retired 20 of the final 21 batters against Greensburg Central Catholic. She had a one-hitter in the WPIAL title game against the same Sto-Rox team that BEA manhandled 7-0 last Thursday.

Falk, along with battery-mate Chelsea Evans, are the team’s top two power sources, though leadoff hitter Leah Prisuta went deep to start the quarterfinal win.

BEA, which has outscored its opponents 179-29, counters with Megan Shaw, who cruised to a three-hitter against Sto-Rox.

“It was another Megan performance,” Breon said of his senior, who has struck out 143 and walked just 7 batters in 1341/3 innings. “Her ball was moving and we kept it down.”

The Lady Eagles’ biggest boppers in the postseason have been Jasa Mitchell and Brooke Klinefelter. The No. 3 and No. 4 hitters, are a combined 15-for-31 (.484) with 11 runs and 14 RBIs in the postseason. For the year, Klinefelter is hitting .441 with six homers and 29 RBIs, while Mitchell is at .403 with seven homers and 26 RBIs.

“We always get each other pumped up,” Mitchell said after belting two homers and driving in five runs against Sto-Rox “If I don’t have a good at-bat, I tell her to pick me up. We help each other out.”

Breon likes the way all of his hitters have been battling in the postseason. The Lady Eagles have struck out just six times in two PIAA games.

“All of our kids are doing pretty well with two strikes,” he said. “They’re just not going after anything” So who wins today?

Leave it to outspoken Sto- Rox coach Bill Palermo to handicap the contest.

“As I told (Breon), ‘Your No. 3, 4 and 5 hitters, Riverside can’t compare with because they blast the ball,’” Palermo started. “The rest, Riverside is a little faster team. Defensively, Riverside is really solid. They’re probably about the same. Since Riverside has some speed defensively, they might make plays these guys couldn’t.”

As for the pitching, Palermo gives Shaw a slight edge.

“This pitcher is a little craftier than Riverside’s pitcher. Riverside was straight forward to us. … (Shaw) moves the ball around a little bit better. I think the edge goes to her.”

Palermo said in the end BEA’s power may be the difference since today’s game at Legion Park will be played on a field with similar dimensions as Forest Hills’ layout last Thursday.

“That’s going to be one heck of a game,” said Palermo, who has led Sto-Rox a state title and 10 WPIAL crowns. “I’m just thinking if they play on a field with a fence like here, the power here (wins).”

Breon said his team will have to play with the same type of intensity it did in the District 6 title game to make the return trip to Shippensburg a reality.

“It should be a war,” he said. “I’m looking for a Philipsburg-Bald Eagle type game against Riverside. Hopefully we’ll put it all together, hit well, play flawless defense and come out on top.”

PIAA SOFTBALL Class AA

Semifinal Round at Legion Park, Hollidaysburg

Bald Eagle Area (22-3) vs. Riverside (20-1)

4 p.m., today