TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bald Eagle’s Raelee Repasky, left, and Addie Burns, right, walk off the field following an inning during a game earlier this season.

Though Monday was a tough day for the Express area’s softball and baseball teams, Bald Eagle Area (20-3) provided a bright spots, defeating Avonworth 8-2 to advance to the PIAA Class AAA quarters. It’s now set to compete with District 9 champion St. Mary’s (16-3), heading into that matchup with momentum and hoping of advancing to its third straight state semifinal.

With Monday’s win, the Eagles have now won 15 in a row, with many tough victories checkering that span. They defeated 2024 Class AA final South Williamsport, rival Bellefonte – who also mades states at the Class 4A level, a tough District 6 Class AAA foe in Westmont Hilltop and that doesn’t even include their run through post season.

There, they shook their way out of two tight games against Penns Valley and Marion Center to clinch their state bid. Then, they’d win their next two games by a combined score of 16-2 to get to where they stand now.

Their upcoming opponent won’t be a pushover. All three of the Flying Dutch’s losses came against teams that made their respective state tournaments, including Punxsutawney at the Class 4A level, whom they split their season series against. Its other two losses came against Lake Lehman (18-3) and Sharon (22-1), each which made the Class AAA tourney with Sharon also heading into Thursday as a quarterfinalist.

St. Mary’s senior pitcher Avery Eckels leads the way, a strong two-way player that the Eagles will be tested in hindering. Through 19 starts, Eckels has pitched an ERA of 1.84 and struck out 136 batters to just 14 walks. From the plate, Eckels bats a .443, one of five players on the team that bats above a .340.

The Flying Dutch defeated District 7 champion Mohawk 4-2 to get to this point.