After an exhilarating win to open district action, the Whitehall softball team looked to capitalize on their momentum heading into their quarterfinal game.

However, Bangor High School (17-6) had plans of their own and toppled the Zephs with a 7-4 win, eliminating them from the District XI AAAA playoffs.

The Slaters, the Colonial League champions, relied on some early fireworks, along with the deft hand of pitcher Melissa Langdon to oust the Zephs from the tourney.

Langdon didn't allow a walk, while Bangor's offense was sparked by Kaitlyn Caleen who knocked in four runs with a pair of doubles.

Bangor scored five runs in the first two innings, and that was really all they needed, despite a Zephyr rally in the sixth that plated three runs, cutting the deficit to three. But an out at the plate after a single by Kay Solderitch doused their comeback bid. That inning was highlighted by Abigail Nguyen's tow-run hit that started the rally.

It was another game in which the Zephs had to battle from behind. In the opener against Emmaus, they were able to climb that hill with a four-run fourth, but hit a wall against the Slaters.

Head coach Alexis Berg-Townsend said they weren't able to dig into that lead early enough, compounding their ability to get back into the game. Still, they weren't ready to go home, and pushed one run across in the third when Gabriella Molitoris doubled to drive in a run.

"Aside from my pep talks, I had my assistants talking to the team each inning, firing them up asking them if they were ready for their season to be over," said Berg-Townsend. "We had to keep chipping away. The team did, as they have done, but unfortunately not soon enough.

"The team came out nervous, no question about that. This experience, playing in the district quarterfinals, will have now better prepared them for next year."

The loss marked the end of their season, one in which they finished 11-11. They began slowly, but picked up momentum as the season progressed, finally earning a district berth in their last game of the year. It was made possible by the help of the upperclassmen.

"It's sad that my two seniors will not have a next game," said Berg-Townsend. Its always hard knowing I will not be writing their name on the line up card again, but this young team learned something from them, they learned how to fight, they learned how to not give up, they learned to love the game."

Berg-Townsend said she was extremely proud of the 2014 team. It was a season to remember.

"They exceeded my expectations," said Berg-Townsend. "They worked hard each and everyday and continued to improve as the season went on. They made a run when the softball community discounted them."