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Lady Eagles are regional champs for 2nd straight year

OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen The North Collins Lady Eagles pose with their plaque after winning the high school softball Class D Far West Regional on Saturday.

FILLMORE — North Collins softball has done it again.

The Lady Eagles are Class D Far West Regional softball champions once again, headed back to the state championship finals for a second straight season, after a 9-4 victory over Arkport/Caneseraga on Saturday at Fillmore High School.

“I feel blessed to be going back again,” said North Collins coach Jan Warren. “This group, there is something special about them… and it’s not just on the softball field. They’ve got a special bond.”

North Collins (17-4) got going early on, as Brianna Krawczyk reached base on a single and Alexa English followed with a ground-rule double to put runners on second and third with one out in the top of the first inning. Morgan Mathis drove in both runners on a two-run double to take an early lead. Mathis later came in to score on an RBI single by Rebecca Holmes, giving the Lady Eagles a 3-0 lead before starting pitcher Becca Cyrek even stepped into the circle.

“Today, I think we showed up,” said senior centerfielder Alexa English. “When one girl hits, then the other girls hit and we just keep it going through the lineup.”

Cyrek did her part in the circle, starting a 1-6-3 double play and recording the third out of the inning with a strikeout. North Collins led 3-0 after one inning of play.

“To get those three runs early, I could relax a little the rest of the way,” said Warren. “They gave my heart a rest.”

In the top of the second inning, Cyrek showed off her skills at the plate. The senior standout drilled a pitch to deep center field for a home run and a 4-0 lead.

“I did not know it was out,” said Cyrek. Warren added that he “knew it was deep, but wasn’t sure it was out.

“For a little kid, she hits the ball a long way,” said Warren. “She’s been doing that for four years.”

Cyrek followed up her home run by retiring the opposition in order with a pair of strikeouts in the bottom of the second inning.

North Collins seemed to have the momentum clearly in its favor the entire way. The Lady Eagles added two runs in the third inning and two more in the fourth frame, while Cyrek continued to post what her dugout called “donuts” on the scoreboard.

The score would stay at 7-0 until the bottom of the sixth inning, when Arkport/Caneseraga scored a pair of runs (one earned) to cut the Lady Eagles’ lead to five runs.

North Collins answered right back with a pair in the top of the seventh inning. Cyrek drove in a run on her third hit of the game, then came in to score on an RBI single from English.

Arkport/Caneseraga added two in the bottom of the seventh on a two-run home run with two outs in the final frame. The final out was recorded on a fly ball to English in center field, which led to a celebration in the outfield for the back-to-back Far West champs.

“It was pretty nerve-wracking when I had the last catch in center field,” said English. “But I think we were all pretty strong defensively. Whoever the ball went to, I think they would’ve made the out.”

Cyrek threw a complete game for the Lady Eagles. She threw five shutout innings to build a 7-0 cushion for the final six outs of the game.

“Becca always comes through,” said English. “I always have faith in her and I’m always rooting for her from center field. … I don’t know what we’d do without her.”

Cyrek also finished with three hits, three runs scored, two stolen bases and two runs batted in. English had a pair of hits, a walk and an RBI, as well. Each of the seniors look to continue their impressive performances next weekend at the state finals.

“I’m super excited,” said Cyrek. “I’m so glad to be going back… and to be going back with basically the same team. We really are more of a family than a team. … It’s a great feeling.”

Now, the Lady Eagles have a chance at redemption, after falling just shy of a state championship last season.

“It’s my senior year, so it’s something I’ve dreamed of,” said English. “I feel like sectionals is never enough. … I think we’re going to prove something this year. I’m super excited and determined. If we relax and be the athletes that we are, we’ll be fine.”

Regardless of the result this time around, the team is well aware of the magnitude of the success it has accomplished over the last two years.

“This is just awesome for the town, for the school and for these players,” said Warren. “I can’t be prouder of them. … I’m happy to be their coach. This has been one fun ride.”

North Collins will play in the semifinals early Saturday. With a win, the Lady Eagles will play for the state title.

“This means everything to us. Our community supports us so much,” said Cyrek. “For us four seniors … to be going back is like a dream come true.”

Twitter: @bradencarmen

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