Freedom’s 12-run fourth inning catapulted the Patriots to a 13-1 victory over city rival Bethlehem Catholic on March 21 at Freedom.

“Everything happened to be going our way today: the pitching, a solid defense, and then once we broke through with our hitting, it was a good day for the girls out here,” said Freedom coach Michele Laubach.

Freedom left fielder Landry Guman led the charge in the bottom of the fourth inning with a one-out double to left center field and scored on Maia D’Amico’s single that broke a 1-1 tie.

“It was my first hit of the season,” said Guman, a freshman. “I think we played so well together. It was our second game of the season, and it was a big game. I think we just played awesome. I have no words.”

Freedom shortstop Madison Glick hit a two-run homer to center field, her first of two in the same inning.

“I was really confident and calm so that helped me,” Glick said. “I faced [Becahi pitcher Hailey Pyle] before, so I know how she pitches.”

Kate Miller followed up with a double to center, and Brianna Cole reached first base when the ball popped out of Sophia Rivera’s glove at shortstop. Daniela Guzzo reached first on an error, Julia Heineman knocked a single to center, and Maddie Cooper had a base hit to left center.

A double by winning pitcher Alexis Acevedo put Freedom ahead, 9-1.

Then, with two outs, Guzzo walked, Glick hit her second homer, and Miller had a home run to left center.

“I just think it’s our confidence level, and our hitting coach Jack Roman. We’ve been working very hard all winter,” said Coach Laubach. “Proud of Lex for sticking with her game plan, keeping the ball down. And Denny Hollinger, our pitching coach, this is his first year back on our staff.”

Freedom put up the first run of the game in the second inning on a bases-loaded hit by Glick.

Rivera’s solo home run to left field in the third inning tied the game for the Hawks.

“We’re disappointed,” said Becahi coach Rich Mazza. “We think we’re gonna be pretty good this year. They jumped on us, and that’s just the way it is. When something like that gets rolling, it doesn’t slow down, and that’s what happened. We’ll play them again, and we’ll see what happens. It’s the first game, we get to play them again, and we’ll be ready.”

Acevedo got out of the second inning on a strike out after Adrianna Truss singled and Kristal Torres walked.

“It was a great feeling to get out of that, and not let any runs score, but I can’t do it without my team behind me,” Acevedo said. “I threw more curves and drop balls, especially, and I was getting them all on the outside.”

Becahi had two runners on base in the third inning on a hit by Pyle that took a high bounce and rolled to the outfield, and Francesca Oberholzer was safe at first base on a fielder’s choice, but Acevedo forced a ground out to end the inning.

“We were flawless on defense, and that’s always tough at the beginning of the year,” said Laubach. “We had three errors against Bangor and gave up two unearned runs, so we know, in EPC play, that’s not something that can happen.”

Freedom defeated Bangor, 5-2, in its home opener on March 17.