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CHAMPIONS: Bellefonte Softball wins third straight district championship after mercy-rule victory

The Bellefonte High School Lady Red Raiders Softball team pose with their trophy and medals after winning the district championship. The Raiders defeated Somerset High School, 10-0, in a five inning mercy-rule victory. (The Express/Tim Weight)

LORETTO — Somerset was supposed to be stiff competition for Bellefonte, but the game quickly turned into a sparring session for the Raiders.

Lissi Przybys and Hanna Lauck each cracked home runs as the Red Raiders blitzed through the Somerset Eagles in the district championship, 10-0 in five innings.

The mercy-rule victory continued Bellefonte softball’s rich history. They’ve now won three consecutive district crowns, and are one of the top programs in the state.

“I thought we played a solid game all-around,” Bellefonte coach Fred Caldwell said. “And Lexy Rogers did a great job pitching, she was definitely on today.”

Rogers threw a one-hitter and fanned nine Eagle batters. The shutout was Bellefonte’s fourth of the year — and its third in its last four games.

Bellefonte’s aggressive base running set the tone early. In the bottom of the first, Mallorie Smith snuck into home following a passed ball to put Bellefonte ahead 1-0. Smith slid in and narrowly beat the tag as her impulse directed her to steal home.

Smith’s judgment call is a luxury the Bellefonte athletes enjoy.

“Most of our players I give them that option,” Caldwell explained. “I trust them and we work on those things in practice.”

Later in the inning, Lexy Rogers recorded an RBI single to extend Bellefonte’s lead, 2-0.

DEFENSE IS KEY

Bellefonte’s defense can push the team far in the playoffs, as they had an error-free game against Somerset.

Twice Lexy Rogers struck out the side of Eagle batters. She kept Somerset off-balance all game.

“Today was probably the best overall game she’s thrown for us,” Caldwell said of Rogers. “Her curveball was just amazing today.”

Catcher Maddie Tice threw out Allison Lane attempting to steal second after Lane recorded Somerset’s lone hit. Alexis Wetzler also had a strong game at short to keep Rogers’ one-hitter intact.

“On defense we had some great plays,” Caldwell said. “And Alexis Wetzler made a couple fantastic plays.”

The offense piggybacked off the defense’s success. After Rogers’ three-strikeout inning in the fourth, Alexis Wetzler recorded an RBI single to extend Bellefonte’s lead, 4-0.

Rianna Trexler later singled in the inning before Maddie Tice smacked an RBI-double off the left field fence to stretch Bellefonte’s lead, 5-0.

SHOOT FOR THE STARS

Bellefonte cracked a pair of late home runs to pull away from Somerset.

Lissi Przybyz smacked a two-out three-run home run in the fourth to extend Bellefonte’s lead, 8-0.

Przybyz was caught up in the moment when she stepped up to bat.

“It happened so fast, it was just crazy,” Przybyz said. “I didn’t even know people were on base, but they did their job to get on there. So it’s just really rewarding to hit it over and get my teammates home.”

The three-run shot was Przybys’ first varsity career home run.

“It was just the perfect moment to get my first home run, at the district championship, with some of my best friends.”

In the bottom of the fifth, Hanna Lauck cracked a solo home run to extend Bellefonte’s lead, 9-0.

“Hanna’s a power hitter,” Bellefonte coach Fred Caldwell said of Lauck. “They (Hanna Lauck and Lissi Przybys) certainly contributed today.”

Rianna Trexler ended the evening early with an RBI single to close the game, 10-0

PLAYER OF THE GAME

Lexy Rogers didn’t disappoint in her first playoff start.

She pitched a shutout, threw nine strikeouts and allowed just one hit.

Rogers didn’t have any butterflies entering her first big game. She said her rapport with catcher Maddie Tice kept her relaxed on the mound.

“My catcher Maddie Tice does a good job controlling me and calling a good game,” Rogers said. “And my defense and offense just does a fantastic job behind me.”

Rogers has plugged the hole left behind by former Raider and current Bloomsburg University pitcher Tara Baney

. And she’s glad her strong freshman campaign transitioned to the playoffs.

“Definitely having a shutout now really gives us a confidence booster going into States,” Rogers said.

UP NEXT

Bellefonte (16-3) returns for the state playoffs June 4 against the WPIAL district winner. A site has yet to be determined.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E

SS 0 0 0 0 0 x x 0 1 0

BF 2 1 0 5 2 x x 10 11 0

WP: Lexy Rogers

LP: Rory Bretz

Notable Hitters

Bellefonte: Hanna Lauck (2-3, HR, 1 RBI), Alexis Wetzler (2-3, 3 RBIs), Mallorie Smith (1-2, 2 BBs, 1 triple)

Somerset: Allison Lane (1-2)

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