After an 0-4 start to the season, Bethlehem Catholic’s softball team beat the undefeated Freedom Patriots, 2-1, on Saturday at Becahi.

“You know, we’ve had such fabulous innings, but then we’ve had some of the worst innings Becahi’s ever played. Today, they were determined, and if a team ever needed a win, it was us,” said Becahi head coach Rich Mazza.

With one out in the bottom of the third inning, Jordan Merklin walked, and Jaden Spigner’s hit to right field fell for a triple. Merklin and Patriot catcher Brianna Cole collided as Cole was fielding the throw to home.

“She was playing in front of the bag, so there was really no way to get to the plate, so I was like, I can’t get under her so I might as well just get through and maybe try and knock the ball out of her glove, which is exactly what happened so it worked out,” Merklin said. “It felt great to get on, and score, and be productive.”

Ashley Judd followed up with a hit to second base, and Spigner beat the throw home to score the game winner.

“When it’s hit to the opposite field, I know I have better speed and I can get there,” said Spigner, who fouled off two balls before the triple. “[Freedom pitcher Jennifer Slanovec] was taking her time on the mound, so I called time, and then it was another outside strike so I took it to right field.”

Merklin and Spigner got on base again in the fifth inning when Merklin’s base hit went over the head of Corrin Gill at second, and Spigner also had a single.

“My first at bat I was dipping, so I told myself to keep my back shoulder up and just keep everything low because they’re playing in, and I wanted to hit something by or through the infield,” said Merklin. “Anything to get on.”

Both the Hawks and the Patriots turned double plays in the sixth inning.

Freedom shortstop Julia Heineman had a double in the top of the seventh, threatening the Hawks’ one-run lead.

“Freedom’s a very good team, and they’re known for hitting, so the last inning, I got definitely nervous, especially with a runner on second base,” said Becahi pitcher Emma Bond.

But Bond struck out Abby Husser, who was short of hitting a home run in the fourth inning, for the final out, leaving Heineman on base.

“That felt probably the best out of every other strike I’ve thrown in my life,” said Bond, who leapt out of the pitching circle after the top of the fourth inning. “After having a long strike two, I don’t really get worried because it’s another strike for me, but knowing it was a strike out and got us out of the inning felt really good.”

The Patriots went up 1-0 in the first inning when Brenna Ortwein scored on an RBI by Matison Pirapavel.

The Hawks loaded the bases in the bottom of the first on singles by Abby Rodriguez, Spigner, and Judd but were unable to score.

Becahi’s earlier losses were two games apiece against Northampton and Easton.

“We hung in with Northampton, I feel like, but sometimes our energy gets down and I personally feel like we should have won against Easton,” said Spigner. “We just need to keep this energy and excitement and spark and anger or hunger.”

This week, the Hawks will have had a rematch with the Patriots before taking on Liberty twice.

“We have coachable kids, and today, they didn’t make the mistakes we’ve been making before,” said Coach Mazza, “and that’s because they listen, they work, and they’re ready to handle a little bit of pressure.”