What do you do when you win a PIAA State Class 3A softball title?

"You say a little prayer; then you jump up and down," said Bethlehem Catholic High School softball coach Rich Mazza, after the Hawks clinched the state softball championship by defeating Trinity High School 2-0 last Friday at Beard Field, Nittany Lion Softball Park in University Park, Pa.

The 3A state final, which started an hour late due to a rain delay in the Class 4A final won by Parkland, was halted for over an hour after 5 1/2 innings due to thunderstorms.

"We basically just messed around and made sure we kept our spirits up," said Becahi second baseman Angelys Cotto.

Apparently it worked, and at the end of the night, Becahi right fielder Brooke Rau made the catch that would end the game for the Hawks and the Hillers.

Becahi's first run didn't come until the fourth inning. Courtney Shupp hit a one-out double, and a wild pitch to Bethanne Brandstetter got courtesy runner Bailey Deschler to third base. Brandstetter proceeded to knock the ball past Trinity shortstop Olivia Gray for an RBI single, scoring Deschler.

"I knew I had to get it to the outfield for the score," said Brandstetter. "I was super excited."

With pitcher Elyse Cuttic up to bat, Brandstetter stole second base, less by choice than anything else.

"I thought it was a walk and when they threw to first base, I booked it," she laughed.

Cuttic eventually did walk but was out on a double play when Trinity first baseman Delaney Elling made a catch off the bat of Julia Sledz.

Becahi's second run came in the fifth inning. Shortstop Jess Indelicato hit a two-out triple, after having been left stranded on third base in the first inning.

"It felt amazing coming off the bat. I was hoping to come up with a big hit. I was dreaming about that the whole time. I was going all out and giving my all [to get to third base]," Indelicato said.

Cotto followed with a fair ball past first base for the RBI single, bringing Indelicato home.

"There's definitely always pressure to get the RBI," Cotto said. "I just wanted to make contact. Their catcher was setting up before the pitch was being thrown."

Trinity's best scoring opportunity came in the bottom of the fifth, but the Hillers left the bases loaded as Cuttic got Kaci Hott out on a third called strike to end the inning.

It appeared as though the Hawks would score an insurance run or two in the top of the sixth inning when Shupp led off with her second double of the night.

Brandstetter singled, getting courtesy runner Deschler to third base, but Deschler was thrown out at home on a fielder's choice.

Sledz would also reach on a fielder's choice as Brandstetter was out at second. After Rau's fly ball was caught for the third out, game officials evacuated the park, and within ten minutes, storms struck.

"After the rain delay, we wanted to try to get some insurance runs," said Cotto.

As it turned out, what the Hawks had was all they needed.

"This was the biggest game of the year," Shupp said. "I went back to my hitting coach last week, and I went home, and I swung. I was feeling good. This is the best feeling. I feel like my high school career is complete, but I have one more year, so maybe we'll have two gold medals."