Bald Eagle Area baseball, softball make Centre County history and they’re not finished yet
They’re classmates, close friends, rowdy fans and, in a few cases, even siblings.
And, by the week’s end, members of the Bald Eagle Area baseball and softball teams could all be Class 2A state champions.
For the first time in Centre County history, a local school has managed to send both its baseball and softball teams to their respective state title games in the same season. Statewide, the uncommon accomplishment happens now and then — Neshannock, near the Pittsburgh/Ohio border, achieved it just last year — but only once in PIAA history, involving the 2008 Loyalsock team, have both teams returned home as champions.
Bald Eagle Area will look to make history (again) when softball takes on undefeated Everett (25-0) at 11 a.m. Thursday at Nittany Lion Softball Park, with baseball playing the next day across the street. BEA baseball is slated to play District 6 runner-up Mount Union (25-2) — its only losses coming to BEA — at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. (Another Centre County school has also made it to the finals, with Bellefonte baseball playing for the Class 4A title at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Medlar Field.)
“It’s definitely crazy to have one team make it — and to have two teams is even crazier,” baseball pitcher Tyler Serb said Tuesday, referring to his school.
Added softball left fielder Sydney Thompson: “It’s great to see both teams get there, and seeing (baseball) do it first motivated us even more.”
The two close-knit teams have cheered each other on at every step. During Monday’s baseball semifinals, members of the softball team sat in the stands and watched as baseball held on to win a 1-0 thriller against Sharpsville in 10 innings. A day later, the roles were reversed as softball punched its ticket to the state title game by upending South Willamsport 4-0.
Point to the coaching, the families, natural talent or development — maybe all four — but the two teams boast a lot of similarities. In separate interviews, both head coaches described their squads as unusually calm and defensive-minded behind strong pitching. Baseball boasts a 21-4 record, while softball is 23-2.
And, if there is any added pressure over this week’s history-making potential, players on both teams said they welcome it.
After all, they’ve embraced the pressure before. Softball pitcher Sierra Albright allowed a leadoff triple Tuesday, facing no outs and two runners in scoring position, before getting out of the jam and recording a 15-strikeout shutout. Earlier in the postseason, with baseball facing runners in scoring position and a 3-2 count, Serb froze the batter with an unorthodox curveball for a strikeout and the close win.
“3-2 batters are looking fastball all the way, and very rarely are you going to see a 3-2 curveball,” baseball coach Jim Gardner said. “But he has the confidence to do that.”
Serb’s teammate, shortstop Kahale Burns, said his pitcher is the least-nervous person he’s ever met. But he might as well have been talking about BEA’s softball pitcher, too.
“Sierra’s the most unflappable pitcher I’ve ever had,” longtime softball coach Don Lucas said, joking he’s been a coach since Noah docked the ark. “The bigger the stage, the more the pressure, she’s just like, ‘Give me the ball and let me get to work.’”
Both teams have surprised the community — and, in some cases, even themselves — with this year’s success. Baseball missed out on the state tournament the last several years, due in part to a higher classification and tough district, but have so far only lost in 2023 to teams in larger classifications. Softball fell just short of the title game last year, in the Class 3A semifinals, but has no seniors on this year’s team.
Lucas said his team, comprised last season of numerous freshmen, grew up a lot this offseason. He also credited junior Ava Stere — who’s batting .467 with 33 RBIs — with filling that senior void with her leadership. Some of her teammates affectionately call her “Mom,” while Lucas said she serves as an extra coach of sorts.
Stere and Thompson raced to hug each other Tuesday, the moment after officially earning their way to the state title. A day before, they watched as Burns tossed his helmet in the air while rounding second as the baseball team did the same.
“They’re two teams that put a lot of time and effort in, and they haven’t had anything given to them,” athletic director Doug Dyke said. “They both play top-quality schedules, and they should be proud of themselves. These kids are good representatives of the school.”
There are plenty of standouts on both teams, too many to list. But Burns, a junior who’s started since Day 1 as a freshman, leads baseball in several categories — batting average (.329), on-base percentage (.477), stolen bases (18) and runs (30). Serb boasts a 1.58 ERA to go along with 82 strikeouts and 25 walks. In softball, Albright has thrown a blistering 259 strikeouts to complement her 0.8 ERA.
Both teams entered the season with the same ultimate goal and, for the first time in Centre County history, they’re both on the verge of winning state titles. Gardner said it’s been enjoyable to watch the whole community get involved and to see the two teams support one another; Lucas said the two teams’ relationships have helped fuel one another.
Whatever happens, it’s already been a season to remember. Baseball last won a state title in 2007; softball in 2009.
“It’s everything, really,” Burns said about both teams making it to this point. “We have the community behind our backs, and everyone is supporting us. It’s one big family.
“It’s something really special we’re going to carry with us the rest of our lives, so we’re just hoping to finish it out.”
This story was originally published June 14, 2023 at 1:14 PM.
