Whitehall softball head coach Alexis Berg-Townsend has maintained throughout the season that good teams become great teams late in the season.

Right now the Zephyrs are holding onto first place in the Skyline Division of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference. With two games remaining on this year’s docket, they have the chance to be division winners. That’s a spot that’s usually been reserved for Parkland the last few years.

Whitehall was in the driver’s seat heading into the final week of the regular season. A 9-2 loss to the Trojans Tuesday muddled the situation and now things may come down to district power ratings, depending what they do in their final game against Emmaus, after Press deadlines. As of Monday night, the Zephs were second in the district power ratings at .768. Freedom sat in first with a .783 score. Parkland was third with a .755 rating.

While that may come into play down the road, Berg-Townsend said that all that matters right now is what’s in front of them.

She said it’s important to have the proper mental approach each and every game. That was something lacking in their two non-league losses. She said they can’t be concerned with the big picture and must be ready to meet that day’s challenge.

“We have to be mentally and physically prepared that day and not look ahead,” said Berg-Townsend.

Now the focus is on Emmaus. Still, they want to be singularly focused on that immediate task.

While they were looking to sweep their rivals, Parkland had other plans.

The Trojans scored runs in every inning except the third en route to victory. They banged out 12 hits, with Alyssa Oakley going 3-4 with 3 RBIs.

Starting pitcher Aubree Fritzinger was clutch in the circle, allowing just four hits for the complete-game victory.

Whitehall scored runs in the fifth and the seventh.

The Zephs loss to Parkland puts both teams at 7-2 in the division. Whitehall still owns the better league record, but they need to defeat Emmaus for a shot at the division crown.

They’ve already qualified for districts, and they’ve locked up a league berth as well. That marks the second year in a row they’ve qualified for both postseason tourneys.

Taking care of business late in the season is how they want to be defined. It’s what makes good teams great, and they still have a lot of softball left to play in which to make that into a reality.