As Bethlehem Catholic's softball team celebrated its 1-0 victory over Villa Maria Academy in the quarterfinal game of the PIAA State Class AAA Softball Championships last Thursday, Becahi pitcher, Alexa Panuccio, wasted no time, running straight to coach Rich Mazza for a celebratory hug.

"The story today is Lexi, as a freshman pitcher," Mazza said.

Panuccio pitched a complete game at Lyons Field in Fleetwood, giving up only three hits and a walk.

"My rise ball worked pretty well, and I'm relatively good at it. I learned it just a few days ago," she said.

Villa Maria's biggest threat came in the first inning when Mary Cate Butler hit a triple. Later, a single and a walk in the fourth inning put two Hurricanes on base. The game ended with a Hurricane runner on first, and a strikeout by Panuccio.

"I knew we could get that last out. I knew I had to bounce back. I just tried not to think about it," said Panuccio.

The Hawks scored their only run in the second inning.

Elyse Cuttic reached first base after her hit bounced off the pitcher's foot. Julia Sledz had a base hit, and Brooke Rau's line drive scored Cuttic.

"I've actually been struggling, being ahead of the ball," Rau said. "I wasn't going up to bat thinking anything. It did feel really good. You can't let teams hang around. That run on the board was important."

The Hawks were scheduled to play Nanticoke in the semifinal on Monday, but the threat of strong storms pushed the game back to Tuesday at Blue Mountain High School, which will come after Bethlehem Press deadlines.

The PIAA State Class AAA final is scheduled for Friday, June 12 at 5:30 p.m. at Penn State.