The writer is an intern in the Spotlight Newspapers sports department.
The Bethlehem baseball team exited the Section II, Class AA playoffs with a 5-4 loss to Christian Brothers Academy last Wednesday at Joe Bruno Stadium in Troy.
The Brothers rallied from a 4-2 deficit to tie the game in the bottom of the fourth inning and won it with a bases-loaded walk in the seventh to advance to last Friday’s Sectional final against Columbia.
It’s been a while since we’ve gotten back here, even though we’ve had some good teams, said CBA coach Dave Doemel.
The game started out well for Bethlehem. The Eagles scored a run within their first four batters, and pitcher Randy Bowers dominated the Brothers with two strikeouts in the bottom of the first inning.
Alex Sobiecki drove in a pair of runs, and Kyle Niehaus added an RBI over the next two innings to help Bethlehem build a 4-2 lead, but it went by the boards after the Eagles allowed two unearned runs to CBA in the bottom of the fourth.
The Brothers threatened to take the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. CBA hit consecutive one-out singles to get a runner in scoring position before Bowers got the last two batters on a pop up and a line out to the shortstop.
The Brothers took advantage of their next scoring opportunity, though. Bowers and reliever Sean Quinlan loaded the bases, and then Matt Sand walked to bring in the winning run.
Despite the loss, Bethlehem coach Rob Helm was proud of the work his team put into the season.
`They really pulled it together and they had a great season they played great all season, I’m proud of them,` said Helm.
CBA’s playoff run ended with a 5-1 loss to Columbia in the finals.“