Missed opportunities at the plate and a handful of shaky defensive plays torpedoed the Northampton softball team’s attempt to advance to the EPC championship game in a 3-1 semifinal loss to Freedom Monday evening at Pates Park in Allentown.

The K-Kids jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Hannah Duerr smashed the first pitch she saw over the centerfield fence for a solo home run.

The Patriots tied the game in the bottom half of the frame. A bobble in the outfield set up second and third with no outs after the first two batters singled. A moment’s hesitation on an infield tapper with one out caused a late throw to the plate allowing Landry Guman to score on a fielder’s choice.

Over the next four innings, the Kids thoroughly outplayed Freedom. Rylee Gable retired 14 of the 15 next batters she faced, including 13 in a row.

Meanwhile, Northampton stranded 7 runners, going 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position including a based-loaded one-out situation in the third inning.

The sixth inning was the breaking point for the Kids. They got a runner to second with two outs but left her stranded in the top half.

In the bottom half of the sixth, a missed connection in the infield on an attempt to get the lead runner on a ground ball gave the Patriots runners at first and second with one out. Another error loaded the bases and Freedom pitcher Maddie Bixler came through with a double to plate the eventual winning run.

Northampton did get a runner on in the seventh with one out, but she was left at first when the final out was recorded.

Head coach Kristy Henritzy summed up the outing, “We left a lot on base. We didn’t get big hits when we needed it. It’s frustrating. But you can’t be mad about it. It’s not like we lost 10-0. It was 3-1 and it was literally one clutch hit given up. I’m proud of this team. They’re a great group of girls and I just wish they were on the other side of this result.”

Next Thursday, Northampton begins its quest to win a third district title in the 2020s. The K-Kids travel to Nazareth in the 4 vs. 5 seed matchup in the quarterfinals. The two teams split their regular season meetings with each school winning a 1-run game on its home field. The Kids triumphed 7-6 on April 8 and the Blue Eagles won 5-4 on April 28.

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Northampton defeated Whitehall 10-1 in their quarterfinal EPC contest. The Kids scored 7 runs in the fourth inning, highlighted by Avery Deibert’s grand slam, to break the game open. Rylee Gable scattered 5 hits and struck out 8 to pick up the win.

The EPC announced its All-Conference teams. Hannah Duerr was named All-Conference 1st Team catcher for the second year in a row. Avery Deibert was 2nd Team All-Conference at first base.

K-Kids on the All-Northampton Division Teams – Duerr, Deibert, Kiley Henritzy (SS), First Team. JoJo Siegfried (2B), Second Team.