BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Looking to return to the Region 19 playoffs for the first time since 2017, the Northampton Softball needed a sweep of cross-town rival Lehigh Carbon Community College on Tuesday afternoon at Spartan Field in their Region 19 doubleheader. Unfortunately for the Spartans, they dropped two, one-run games to the Cougars, falling 6-5 in 8 innings in game one and 10-9 in the nightcap, thus eliminating themselves from playoff contention.
Game One - Lehigh Carbon 6 | Northampton 5 (8 innings)
Trailing 3-0 entering the bottom of the 6th, the Spartans scored 3 runs to tie the game at 3-3.
Destiny Koppenhaver (Bethlehem, PA/Commonwealth Charter ) doubled to lead off the inning and scored on a single from
Natalie Lazaro (Allentown, PA/Emmaus).
Regina Bangcoro (Easton, PA /Easton) then singled homed Lazaro and then scored on a single from
Makaylah Sutton (Avenel, NJ/Colonia).
Neither team scored in the 7th, sending the game to extra innings, utilizing the International Tie Breaker. The Cougars were able to plate 3 runs in their half of the 8th, taking a 6-3 lead. Northampton responded with 2 runs, but were unable to push the tying run across the plate, falling 6-5.
Bangcoro was 2 for 4 with 2 RBI and a run scored to pace the Spartans.
Siera Klingle (East Bangor, PA/Bangor) took the loss in the circle, working atl 8 innings, allowing 5 runs (4 earned) on 5 hits, while striking out 6 and walking 2.
Game Two - Lehigh Carbon 10 | Northampton 9
The Spartans took a quick lead in game two, scoring 3 runs in the 1st inning as
Regina Bangcoro (Easton, PA /Easton) and
Siera Klingle (East Bangor, PA/Bangor) each singled and then scored on a double from
Bridget Pavelko (Bethlehem, PA /Notre Dame - Green Pond ). Pavelko then scored on a double from
Sophia Iovino (Bethlehem, PA/Bethlehem Catholic).
After LCCC took a 6-4 lead, the Spartans tied the game at 6 with a
Siera Klingle (East Bangor, PA/Bangor) 2-run homerun in the bottom of the of the 6th inning.
In the top of the 7th, LCCC loaded the bases and then Megan Green hit a grand slam to give the Cougars a 10-6 lead.
Northampton responded with 3 runs in the bottom of the 7th and had the tying run on 3rd, but could not get her home, falling 10-9.
Bangcoro finished 4 for 5 with 4 runs scored, while Klingle was 3 for 5 with 2 RBI, 3 runs scored.
Bangcoro threw a complete game, allowing 10 runs on 10 hits, with 7 walks and 7 K's.
Northampton falls to 8-18 overall and 7-11 in Region 19, while Lehigh Carbon improves to 15-7 overall and 12-6 in Region 19.
The Spartans will end the regular season on Saturday when they travel to Raritan Valley Community College for a non-league doubleheader.
