Sierra Albright tosses complete game, no-hitter in BEA softball’s win over Philipsburg | News, Sports, Jobs

Bald Eagle Area senior Alyssa King catches a fly-ball during Monday afternoon’s game against Philipsburg-Osceola. TIM WEIGHT/For The Express

WINGATE – In a battle of nine win teams Monday, the Bald Eagle Area softball team went head-to-head with Laurel Highlands foe Philipsburg-Osceola. Bald Eagle Area pitcher Sierra Albright hit her pitches to the tune of a 15-strikeout performance en route to a 4-2 senior night victory over the Mounties.

Albright allowed no hits in the contest

Before the contest, the Eagles honored seniors Shae Housel, Alyssa King, Ava Stere, Kendra Uberti along with manager Olivia Boone.

“We had to manufacture some runs which is my bread and butter. I love doing that. We have a lot to work on yet,” said Bald Eagle Area coach Don Lucas. “We have some things we have to polish up.”

Albright faced off against Philipsburg-Osceola ace Macy Bush.

Bald Eagle Area senior Ava Stere (22), junior Sierra Albrigth (27) and Shae Housel (12) signal during Monday’s game. TIM WEIGHT/For The Express

Offensively, the Eagles were led by Ava Stere (2 for 3, run) and Sydney Thompson (2 for 3, run) who both finished with multiple hits.

The game was a pitchers duel throughout the game as both pitchers opened the first inning with 1-2-3 innings.

However, the Mounties got on the board in the second inning.

Bush helped her own cause opening the inning with a walk.

She advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on an Eagle miscue on a grounder by Alli Muir.

Bald Eagle Area junior Kailey Eckert (23) slaps hands with senior Ava Stere (22) after Eckert slides home for a run in Monday’s win over Philipsburg-Osceola. TIM WEIGHT/For The Express

Muir moved up a base on a sacrifice bunt by Nora Burns.

But the Eagles settled back in and got the third out, keeping it to just a one-run inning.

But the Mounties’ lead would be temporary. Bald Eagle battled his way back at the bottom of the inning with a run of their own.

Stere opened with a sizzling single into left field. Thompson followed in Stere’s footsteps, slamming a rocket into left as well. Alexis Baney loaded the bases with a walk.

Taylor Habovick followed with a blast into left of her own, scoring a hustling Stere on the play, tying it at one apiece.

Bald Eagle Area senior Shae Housel swings at a pitch during Monday afternoon’s game against Philipsburg-Osceola. TIM WEIGHT/For The Express

Philipsburg-Osceola responded to the run and ended the threat with just a lone run, forcing the Eagles into two fielders choices to maintain the damage.

Going into the fifth, the game was stalemate at one each.

Again, the Mounties took advantage of an Eagles miscue to take back the lead.

Payton Barnett led things off with a soft infield blooper that was caught up in the wind and off the glove of a rushing Bald Eagle player.

Lainee Conklin smoked a ball to shortstop and reached base, putting runners on the corners.

Philipsburg leadoff hitter Ashlynn Havens scored in Barnett, giving her team back the lead.

Bald Eagle Area battled back once again at the bottom of the inning.

Uberti reached base on a Mounties’ error to start the Eagles bottom half of the fifth. Catcher Kailey Eckert blasted an RBI double to left center, scoring Uberti in the process.

Eckert moved to third on a fielders choice by Addie Burns. She then scored on a fielders choice by Housel, giving her team the lead for the first time at 3-2.

Albright took care of PO in the sixth inning with a 1-2-3 inning and Bald Eagle added an insurance run in the sixth. Sydney Thompson singled out and later scored on a fielders choice.

Bald Eagle shut things down on the Mounties in the seventh to move to 10-2 on the year.

Philipsburg-Osceola falls to 9-5.

Bald Eagle Area 4, Philipsburg-Osceola 2.

PO 0100100–1 2 2

BEA 010021x–4 7 2

Sierra Albright. Macy Bush. W: Albright. L: Bush. 2B: Ava Stere, Kailey Eckert. Top BEA hitters: Ava Stere 2-3, R; Sydney Thompson 2-3, R; Alexa Baney 1-2; Taylor Habovick 1-3, RBI; Kailey Eckert 2-3, RBI, R; Kendra Uberti 1-3, R.

Records: Bald Eagle Area 10-2.

Next game: BEA at Central-Martinsburg Thursday.