OBSERVER Photo by Lisa Monacelli The North Collins Lady Eagles hold the Section VI Class D championship banner after their 5-4 victory over top-seeded Franklinville on Tuesday.

ST. BONAVENTURE — The North Collins Eagles shocked the Franklinville Panthers in last year’s Class D championship game. After splitting two league games this year in league play, North Collins would win the third and decisive game with a 5-4 victory on Tuesday night and take consecutive sectional titles for the first time in program history. Both teams combined for 17 hits off the two elite pitchers.

North Collins would strike early with a run in the first. Brianna Krawczyk placed a perfect bunt to get on base. She would come around to score on a double from Morgan Mathis.

“Morgan has come through in key situations this year,” said North Collins coach Jan Warren. “She takes a good plate approach, earning her position at clean up hitter.”

Franklinville would tie the game in the third with great base running. With runners on first and second, Renee Szymanski grounded out, where both runners moved up. Aly Haskell forced a throw to second and Abby McCoy took advantage of the situation to score.

The Eagles would respond with a two out rally from the bottom of the order in the fourth. Emily Winter got things started with a triple to left center field. Bella Williams followed with an infield RBI single. Baylee Romano would then record a hit to left center field to score Williams. Romano would force a throw to first when Aly Haskell attempted to pick her off, but instead the ball went to the right field foul pole and Romano scored on the error from first to give North Collins a 4-1 lead.

“The entire lineup has made contributions all year long for us,” Warren stated. “It makes it challenging for pitchers when there are no easy outs. I am so proud that we were able to get three consecutive hits off Aly.”

The Panthers would tally a run in the fourth highlighted by Tawnie Bowers RBI double. North Collins pitcher Rebecca Cyrek would force a double play to get out of the inning.

Mathis would respond with a two out home run that she hit the opposite way down the line. “I came in nervous today and was surprised by the first hit,” Mathis stated. “Once one of us hit, we all hit. It was great to get that home run off a great pitcher, especially by hitting the ball to right field. This really shows how we have improved with our bats this year.”

The Panthers would add a run in the fifth and sixth innings. In the fifth, Aly Haskell would single before Szymanski brought her around with an RBI double. Bowers led off the sixth with a single before Dani Haskell brought her home with a double struck to center field. North Collins would get out of the jam due to runners interference.

The situation became tense in the bottom of the seventh. Aly Haskell and Szymanski would both start with singles. Cyrek would then force a flyout to shallow left field. The next batter would ground out to first, but both runners advanced on the play. The final batter of the game hit a sharp hit ball to third, where Mathis retrieved the ball and threw to first to secure the victory. “Becca is a machine and she did a great job against a talented team,” Warren added. “Even though she gave up some hits, she came back and did what she needed to do by mixing things up and keeping them off balance. Becca is very special and I am proud at what she has been able to do.” Cyrek pitched the complete game giving up four runs from eleven hits and four walks while striking out four.

Aly Haskell, the St. Bonaventure signee for softball next year surrendered five runs from six hits and no free passes while striking out ten. North Collins was able to take advantage of the opportunities they had to score their runs. “To some people, it seems like ten strikeouts is a lot,” added Warren. Although, against Aly, that is not that much as that is eleven times that the fielders have to make plays and we benefited from a few mistakes by getting the ball in the field. That is the only way that we could have beat them.”

Mathis had the only multiple hit game for the Eagles while they were both for extra bases with a double and home run. Winter also chipped in with a triple. Dani Haskell led the Panthers with three hits while McCoy, Aly Haskell and Bowers each had two hits.

According to Warren, “To beat someone of Aly’s quality makes it more special. She is an outstanding pitcher and I am so proud of how the girls kept trying and never gave up. The temperature was very warm and the heat got to the players especially these pitchers today, but they all battled hard. This is a special group of girls and it is great for the school and the community and could not be any prouder for what the team has accomplished.”

North Collins would play in the far west regional on Saturday at Fillmore High School against a section 5 team that will be determined from Thursday’s game. “This is a great feeling to go back to where we were last year,” stated Warren. All the teams are good and we will just enjoy the situation. This team and the town deserved this and we are so appreciative of all the support that the community gives us.”