WINGATE — The wind swept across Doc Etters Field, knocking over the protective screen in front of the pitcher’s mound as the Bald Eagle Area players completed batting practice.
It was the first sign of the afternoon that the elements were not to be ignored.
Led by pitcher Justin Koleno, Bald Eagle conquered both the gusting wind and Laurel Valley, opening the District 6 Class AA playoffs with a commanding 11-2 win.
The Eagles, the district’s top seed, (14-6-1) move on to host Richland (15-5) at 4 p.m. Thursday in the semifinals.
With the breeze at their backs, Joe Pillot and A.J. Robinson blasted back-to-back home runs during the Eagles’ four-run first inning to start a big offensive day for BEA, while Koleno adjusted to the wind coming in his direction and scattered four hits.
“The wind definitely affected the pitches,” said Koleno, who improved to 7-0. “It was tough to control the fastball. You got used to it as the game went on.”
With the headwind pushing his high fastballs even higher, Koleno walked seven Rams. But he also struck out 10 Rams.
Laurel Valley starter Sean Lenhart and reliever Matt Allen had a harder time against the BEA lineup, particularly the first five hitters. John Schall was 3-for-4 out of the leadoff spot, No. 5 hitter Derek Noll had four RBIs and Pillot was 3-for-3 with four runs scored and a triple short of the cycle.
Laurel Valley (12-6), which scored a first-inning run on a throwing error, cut the lead to 4-2 in the top of the third thanks to two walks, Caleb Karasack’s double and Tyler Ulery’s RBI ground-out.
Koleno allowed just three base runners in the final three innings.
“We haven’t been shut down like that all year,” said McLaughlin, whose team traveled 118 miles by bus for the game. “He had the good curveball, and he didn’t have to throw it for a strike – we chased some of them in the dirt.”
High School Sports
Laurel Valley falters
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Richland's Lumley settles for pair of silver medals
Paige Lumley was on an emotional roller coaster and seeing silver on Saturday at the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University.
The Richland senior had state record jumps twice during the triple jump competition, but ended up with a silver–medal leap of 40 feet,
1¾ inches.
Defending state champion, second-seeded junior Lanae Newsome of Brookville, won with a jump of 40-3½. -
Ridge’s Dull takes second with school-record time
Matt Dull finished his athletic career with his best on Saturday at the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University.
The Chestnut Ridge senior ran a career-best time of 38.12 to finish second in the 300 hurdles final, also setting another school record. -
Young takes silver in state triple jump
Chestnut Ridge senior Michael Young capped six years of triple jumping with a silver medal Friday on the first day of the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Seth Grove Stadium on the campus of Shippensburg University.
Young had a career-best leap of 45-9¼ just behind Jared Horne of Schuylkill Valley whose winning jump was 46-9. -
Forest Hills’ Smay places fifth in Class AA long jump
Brooke Smay is moving on up.
The Forest Hills junior earned a fifth-place position in the Class AA long jump with a leap of 17 feet, 3 ½ inches Friday on the first day of the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University. -
Bishop McCort wins District 6-A baseball crown
Bishop McCort truly won the District 6 Class A baseball championship as a team on Friday at Peoples Natural Gas Field.
There were more than a few huge plays. Of course a number of individuals stepped up to secure a 3-1 victory over LHAC rival Bishop Guilfoyle. -
Somerset denied 6-AAA baseball title
Hollidaysburg pitcher Dom Viduya and his Golden Tigers teammates beat defending champion Somerset 3-1 in Thursday’s District 6 Class AAA championship game at Peoples Natural Gas Field.
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Pitcher's 'bad day' results in no-hitter
Bridgit Yothers struggled on the mound on Thursday.
But the Chestnut Ridge right-hander was able to persevere through her issues, throwing a no-hitter against Bedford in their District 5 Class AA semifinal and helping the Lions to a 5-0 victory. -
Local athletes look to shine at PIAA track and field meet
Each of the nearly 50 area athletes who will be competing at this weekend’s PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University, will be looking for his or her best performance of the season, but only the top eight finishers in each event for both boys and girls will stand on the podium in front of the crowd at Seth Grove Stadium.
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Westmont, Somerset represented at PIAA Class AA tennis tourney
The PIAA Class AA tennis tournament showcases the top players in the state, which includes three area athletes, when it begins today at the Hershey Racquet Club.
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Corridini’s hit propels Shade
Tasha Corridini had been having a tough time at the plate on Wednesday.
The Shade leftfielder had struck out twice in her prior two at-bats against Shanksville-Stonycreek pitcher Kayla Stockenus.
But in the bottom of the seventh of a scoreless game with Kaily Karl on first, Corridini clubbed a triple out to the fence, scoring Karl and giving the Panthers a walk-off 1-0 win over the Vikings in a District 5 Class A softball quarterfinal. - More High School Sports Headlines
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