The Whitehall softball team’s victory over Nazareth on Tuesday may serve as a template when the postseason begins, offering a guideline on how to win close games against tough opponents.

The Zephyrs needed eight innings to defeat the Blue Eagles, 2-1, raising their record to 12-3. With the victory, they remain in a virtual tie with Emmaus for second place in the Skyline Division of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference. The win also keeps them on track for a spot in the EPC playoffs, with eight teams qualifying. Whitehall currently sits in the sixth spot with Parkland clinching a berth this week, leaving seven spots remaining.

Whitehall got the winning run off the bat of Rachel Armer. Head coach Alexis Berg-Townsed said that Arner was able to put the ball in play, and was called safe on a close play at first, allowing the winning run to score.

Berg-Townsend said that the game provided a good learning experience as they head into the latter half of their schedule and the upcoming postseason.

“We haven’t been challenged yet this season in extra innings,” said Berg-Townsend. “A game like this will be helpful for us down the road. Nazareth wanted the win and fought hard for it.”

Berg-Townsend said that her team kept fighting throughout the game, overcoming some early offensive adversity to win it in extras.

“We continued to battle and the team trusted each other to keep battling,” said Berg-Townsend. “[It’s] also very helpful when we preach that there is a lot of game left and to never count us out. A win can be earned in any point of the game.”

Mackenzie Guzy went 3-4, including a double and a run scored, while Logan Bortz was 1-2 with an RBI.

Berg-Townsend said that they embraced the challenge once again, leading them to another victory in a competitive division game.

Ashlee Brosky pitched a two-hitter en route to the win. The senior also threw a no-hitter against Dieruff last week. In that game she also hit a grand slam, knocking in five runs while shutting down the Huskies on the mound.

The Zephyrs bats had a Vesuvian eruption against East Stroudsburg South on Monday, winning 23-6. Kay Solderitch was 4-6, including a double. Solderitch also got the win, going six innings and striking out nine. Guzy was also 4-6 in the game.

The one setback they had last week was a shutout loss at the hands of the Konkrete Kids. Taylor Keeney got the win for Northampton, striking out eight en route to the complete game victory.