Bald Eagle Area Softball Takes Down Clearfield in 2019 State Semifinal Rematch
CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield Lady Bison had their state championship hopes diminished in the state semifinals in 2019 at the hands of Bald Eagle Area. While the Lady Bison hoped to avenge that loss, they came up short on Monday afternoon by a score of 6-1.
Though the Lady Bison had a slim 1-0 lead early in the game thanks to a first pitch big fly over the right centerfield fence off the bat of Olivia Bender in the bottom of the second inning, this proved to be not enough run support as the Bald Eagles would score two runs in the top of the third to take their first lead of the game, 2-1. It was a lead they would not relinquish and they went on to add four more runs, two in each of the sixth and seventh innings, to come away victorious in a Mountain League matchup.
“They are a very disciplined team,” said Clearfield Head Softball Coach Derek Danver about Bald Eagle. “They do not make mistakes and they played a great game tonight. We just made a couple mistakes and did not get the timely hitting we needed in this one.”
The Lady Bison collected just three hits on the afternoon, two of which were off the bat of junior Olivia Bender who was two-for-two with a walk. Fellow junior Lauren Ressler was also able to collect a hit for Clearfield.
On the bump for the Lady Bison once again was junior Emma Hipps who went the distance, pitching seven innings and allowing six hits, six runs, three earned runs, three walks, and struck out 11. Hipps is averaging 12 strikeouts per game through two games this season.
“We need to be better, but we did some good things today too,” Danver said. “ Emma (Hipps) battled in the circle and Olivia (Bender) looked great in the box today against a solid pitcher. A game like this tonight is one that prepares us for the postseason. That is one of the best teams in the state and we look forward to playing them again later in the year.”
Clearfield (1-1) returns to the diamond Tuesday afternoon as they travel to Martinsburg to take on Central. Game time is set for 4:30 p.m.
Bald Eagle – 6
Mckena Baney (LF) 4100, Mara Hockenberry (CF) 4111, Ava Stere (1B) 4000, Maddie Peters (P) 3010, Meghan King (C) 2000, Kaitlyn Smithchko (2B) 3012, Autumn Tobias (3B) 3121, Maddie Perry (SS) 2000, Maddie Eckley (RF) 2210, Hailey Bucha (CR) 0100, Marina Shawley (PH) 1000 TOTALS 28 6 6 4.
Clearfield – 1
Emma Hipps (P) 3000, Alaina Fedder (SS) 3000, Lauren Ressler (1B) 3010, Olivia Bender (C) 2121, Alexis Benton (CF) 3000 Alexis Bumbarger (3B) 3000, Morgan Cheek (LF) 3000, Kylee Hertlein (2B) 2000, Ruby Singleton (RF) 2000, Anna Twigg (CR) 0000 TOTALS 24 1 3 1.
Score by Innings
Bald Eagle 0020022
Clearfield 0100000
Pitching
Bald Eagle Peters 7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 SO, 1 HR
Clearfield Hipps 7 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 11 SO, 1 HR
W – Peters (1-0). L – Hipps (1-1).