By Kenny Varner

BELLEFONTE – Fighting to finish out a successful regular season, the Bellefonte Lady Raiders traveled to Tyrone to keep their Mountain Championship title hopes alive.

In their previous meeting, the Raiders topped the Eagles 9-2 at home.

Tuesday it was a defensive gem by both teams as the game would not be decided until late in the contest.

It would be leadoff hitter Kaleigh Brodzina’s RBI single that would decide the contest for Tyrone as they topped Bellefonte 3-2.

“I think it humbled us as a team,” said Bellefonte coach Meranda Poorman. “We’re going to move forward from this and look forward to the playoffs.”

Tyrone led off the scoring posting a run in the bottom of the first off of three hits in the inning.

Leading things off for the Eagles, Kaleigh Brodzina smoked a triple over the head of the left fielder for a triple. She scored on a double by teammate Elizabeth Pearson. Pearson was gunned out at third trying to stretch a double to a triple.

But the Red Raider defense held, limiting Tyrone to just a lone run.

After being held scoreless in the first three innings, the Lady Raiders were looking to try to get at least one across.

And score they did.

Using a little two-out lightning Nau reached on a walk, keeping the inning alive. Kierra Narehood blooped a hit in front of the left fielder. She overthrew third allowing pinch runner Sadie Ripka to tie the contest.

Nau settled in and started working her pitches around, keeping the Tyrone offense on its heels and off the scoreboard since the first.

In the sixth, Bellefonte took the lead for the first time, Regan Manning doubled to right field. She was moved over on a fielders choice by Taylor Brown. Tyrone tried to catch Manning off hairs trying to throw at third but the throw was wild and Manning scored, making it a 2-1 advantage.

But Tyrone was not done.

In the bottom of the inning, Elizabeth Pearson sent a grounder under the glove of the shortstop for a single. She moved up on a sacrifice bunt by Alison Beeman.

Amaria Sprenkel singled in Pearson to knot the game at two.

In the seventh, the Raiders went down in order.

Tyrone was looking to pick up the line they would need to take home the win.

Maxi Lingenfelter started the bottom of the inning off with a slow dropping single. She moved up a base as Emma Dibert put down a sacrifice bunt.

Nau forced Emily Smith to ground out as Lingenfelter creeped up to third.

That set the stage for lead off hitter Brodzina. Brodzina looped an RBI single into center to take the win.