Editor’s note: The Hawks fell 5-1 against Tunkhannock on Monday night.

Bethlehem Catholic’s Golden Hawks flew by Villa Joseph Marie, 6-0, in the PIAA state softball quarterfinal last Thursday at Spring-Ford High School in Royersford.

Becahi scored its first runs in the second inning when second baseman Jordan Merklin hit a bases-loaded single to give the Hawks a 2-0 lead. Shortstop Abby Rodriguez had an RBI in the fourth, and catcher Teighan Boyle scored on a passed ball in the sixth to go up 4-0.

“Their pitcher was a little slower, so it took the first time through the lineup to get runners on and in scoring position,” said winning pitcher Emma Bond.

Bond’s curveball and her rise ball on the inside corner worked to the Hawks’ advantage throughout the game.

“We had somebody go look at [Villa Joseph Marie} and told us what to look for,” Bond said. “I did my own sort of stalking and saw what travel teams they were on.”

Becahi center fielder Jaden Spigner’s two RBI single scored the Hawks’ last two runs of the game, and as Becahi’s offense is peaking at just the right time, so is its defense.

“At the beginning of the season, our defense was the reason we lost games, and now it’s the reason we won, especially in our first-round game against Archbishop Wood. We had to rely on that,” said Bond. “We’ve had very few errors, and it helps me, knowing someone is behind me.”

The Hawks are a relatively young team, so Coach Rich Mazza has been trying to keep things as normal as possible on the field.

“It’s been pretty much the same routine,” said Bond. “Be patient, make good contact.”

In the last inning on Thursday, Villa Joseph Marie had one runner on first base, who took a lead, but was thrown out by Boyle.

“We’re all pretty much on an adrenaline high and pumped up to go to semis,” Bond said. “By the last inning, things were less intense, but it felt really good.”