BETHLEHEM - Maggie Pagotto’s line drive to right field was Lehighton’s lone hit in its 12-0 loss to Bethlehem Catholic in a District 11 Class 4A softball quarterfinal game on Tuesday.

“We ran into a really good pitcher today, and a really good team,” said Lehighton coach John Zavecz. “There wasn’t much we could do today. Hailey (Pyle) is a very, very good pitcher. I’ve known her for a couple years, and she’s extremely good, so no shame in losing to this team.”

Becahi’s Pyle relied on her drop curve to deliver 10 strikeouts and shut out the Indians over five innings.

“I felt really confident on the mound, and I trust my defense,” Pyle said. “My drop curve has been working well for me.”

Pyle faced nine batters in the first three innings until Pagotto’s lead-off single in the fourth inning.

When Becahi right fielder Adrianna Truss hesitated in throwing the ball to the infield, Pagotto headed to second base.

Anna Laible’s ground out moved Pagotto to third base, but Pyle forced a bunt out and a strikeout to end the inning.

The Hawks had a 5-0 lead after two innings, but Lehighton pitcher Abbie Miller forced two fly outs and a pop out in the third.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Becahi’s Leah Chladny (3-for-3, two doubles, one single, one RBI) walked, and Sophia Rivera reached base on an outfield error before Pyle belted a three-run homer to left field to widen the lead to 8-0.

Marlee Craig entered the game in relief of Miller, but the Hawks’ momentum was already in full swing, and RBIs by Truss, Brooklyn Miller, Chladny, and Rivera made the score, 12-0.

“The key is to hit in bunches, and we’re starting to do that a little bit,” said Becahi coach Rich Mazza, “and that’s why we’re getting some runs.”

While runs eluded the Indians, Zavecz praised his seniors, noted the team had two more wins this season than last year, and tipped his hat to Pyle.

“We had a couple dropped balls, but we didn’t beat ourselves, but we really couldn’t get anything going offensively, and that’s all due to the pitching,” he said. “We improved in wins this year, and all our seniors contributed a lot to the success we had.”

THE UNLUCK OF THE DRAW ... “Unfortunately, we were in the same spot for districts as we were last year. We would’ve liked to get over the hump,” said coach Zavecz.

COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT THEM ... The Indians will graduate a good amount of their offensive contributors in seniors Abbie Miller, Anna Laible, Myla Delgado, Jackie Rogers, Amy Dwojewski, and Mia Snyder.

FAMILIAR FOES ... Thursday’s District 11 Class 4A softball semifinal will pit No. 3 seed Bethlehem Catholic against No. 2 seed Northwestern Lehigh at Pates Park for the chance to compete in the district final.

Lehighton 000 00 - 0 1 2

Bethlehem Cath. 320 7x - 12 13 1

Miller, Bergdahl (4) and Craig; Pyle and Miller. W- Pyle. L- Miller. HR: Bethlehem Catholic - Pyle (4th, two on).