Softball teams wins second straight
Team pays tribute to local player who died over the weekend
The softball team had several rememberances of Mikayla Focht prominently displayed at yesterday’s game against Cambria Heights.
April 18, 2017
The B-A softball team was only able to muster up two hits in yesterday’s home non-league game against Cambria Heights; however they were able to turn these two hits into four runs thanks to a plethora of walks and errors by the Lady Highlanders, and win the contest 4-2.
Saige McElwain hit her second home run of the season and Haley Schmidt stuck out three and allowed four hits and no earned runs as the duo led B-A to its second straight win and their second win of the season.
Head coach Jim Payne is pleased with the way the team has been progressing throughout the year but knows the team still has things that they can do to keep getting better every day.
They have retooled, rededicated, and rejuvenated their approach to the game!
— Coach Payne
“The team is starting to understand the speed of the game. They are athletes, but they need to minimize mistakes and focus. They have retooled, rededicated, and rejuvenated their approach to the game!” said Coach Payne
Prior to the game Bellwood-Antis paid tribute to the late Mikayla Focht, a Hollidaysburg senior who died over the weekend in a tragic automobile accident. Focht planned to catch for Saint Francis next year.
Many of the upper classman at B-A had become close with Focht after competing against her in the Keystone summer league over the years, but head Coach Payne had developed a special bond with Focht over the years with being involved in travel ball.
“Mikayla Focht has been a part of my softball life ever since I started getting into travel ball. She worked and became the standard at which all should be measured,” he said. “I love that kid as if she is my own. My total thoughts and prayers are for her family to find some solace at this time. No player will ever wear number four again at Bellwood. It has been retired to memorize her.”
