Bethlehem Catholic took a giant step forward in district playoffs with a 12-0 victory over Lehighton in a District XI Class 4A quarterfinal on May 23 at Becahi.

“The key is to hit in bunches, and we’re starting to do that a little bit, and that’s why we’re getting some runs,” said Becahi coach Rich Mazza.

The Hawks had a 5-0 lead after two innings, and in the bottom of the fourth inning, Leah Chladny (3-for-3, two doubles, one single, one RBI) walked, and Sophia Rivera reached base on an outfield error when Becahi pitcher Hailey Pyle knocked a three-run homer to left field to widen the lead, 8-0.

“Coach Mazza gave me the green light, and I just wanted to hit it as hard as I could,” said Pyle regarding the 3-0 count.

Lehighton pitcher Marlee Craig entered the game in relief of Abbie Miller, but the Hawks’ momentum was already in full swing, and RBIs by Adrianna Truss, Brooklyn Miller, Chladny, and Rivera made the score, 12-0.

Pyle faced nine Indian batters in the first three innings until Maggie Pagotto’s leadoff single in the fourth, but Pyle forced a ground out, a bunt out, and a strikeout to end the inning.

“We ran into a really good pitcher today and a really good team,” said Lehighton coach John Zavecz. “There wasn’t much we could do today. Hailey (Pyle) is a very, very good pitcher. I’ve known her for a couple years, and she’s extremely good, so no shame in losing to this team.”

Becahi’s Pyle relied on her drop curve to deliver 10 strikeouts and shut out the Indians in five innings.

“I felt really confident on the mound, and I trust my defense,” Pyle said. “My drop curve has been working well for me.”

While runs eluded the Indians, Coach Zavecz noted two more wins this season than last year, and tipped his hat to Pyle.

“We had a couple dropped balls, and we didn’t beat ourselves, but we really couldn’t get anything going offensively, and that’s all due to the pitching,” he said.

The Hawks had almost two weeks to regroup for district playoffs between the end of the regular season and the beginning of the district tournament.

“This time of the year, as long as they get a couple swings, they’ll be all right,” Coach Mazza said. “Things are coming together, and I told the girls, I said, ‘You want to reach your peak at the end of the season, so you’re reaching your peak at the right time.’ The kids are playing better, and they’re a little more relaxed.”