Softball Game Preview: Bethlehem Catholic Hawks vs. Pleasant Valley Bears

The Bethlehem Catholic Hawks will square off against the Pleasant Valley Bears at 4:00 p.m. on Monday. Bethlehem Catholic has now lost eight straight, leaving the team hunting for their first win since March 26.

Bethlehem Catholic managed to slip by Stroudsburg the last time these teams faced off, but didn't have those same answers this time around. The Hawks lost 13-1 to the Mountaineers on Thursday. Hawks fans who chose to attend the game sure picked the wrong one: it was the first time the team's lost against the Mountaineers since on Thursday.

Sarah Banko made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and went 1-for-3 with one home run.

Meanwhile, Pleasant Valley fell victim to Nazareth Area and their airtight pitching crew on Thursday. They came up short against the Blue Eagles, falling 15-0. The Bears haven't had much luck with the Blue Eagles recently, as the team has come up short the last seven times they've met.

Pleasant Valley saw four different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Emma DePalma, who went 1-for-3 with one double.

Pleasant Valley's loss dropped their record down to 7-5. As for Bethlehem Catholic, their defeat dropped their record down to 2-9.

The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Monday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Bethlehem Catholic has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 6.8 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Pleasant Valley struggles in that department as they've been averaging 6.7 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.

Bethlehem Catholic couldn't quite get it done against Pleasant Valley when the teams last played back in April of 2024 as they fell 7-2. Will the Hawks have more luck at home instead of on the road? Come back here after the game to get an analysis of the match and other softball content.