Area players help lead LCCC to nationals

Three former area players are currently members of the Lehigh Carbon Community College softball team that recently won the District F title and advanced to the National Junior College Athletic Association Division 3 championship in Minnesota.

Tamaqua’s Bailey Pederson, Northwestern’s Lydia Danner, and Palmerton’s Erika Easton have all helped the Cougars compile a record of 24-7 this season and a sweep of Rowan-Gloucester in the district finals, which were held in Vineland, NJ.

Pederson pitched a two-hit shutout in the clinching contest that propelled LCCC to nationals. In the 5-0 victory, Pederson struck out three and issued no walks. Danner aided the win with a double and an RBI.

The Cougars are seeded fourth in the eight-team national double-elimination tournament and opened play today at noon against fifth-seeded Monroe (NY). Win or lose, the team was then to play at 2 p.m. in either the winner’s or loser’s bracket. The title game is scheduled for Saturday.

Pederson, a sophomore, has posted a record of 14-4 this season with an ERA of 2.02. The former Blue Raider has only walked 15 batters in 104 innings, and has struck out 68, earning her the Region 19 Pitcher of the Year.

Danner, also a sophomore, is hitting .440 (44-for-100) and leads the team in runs scored (48), triples (12), walks (16), and is tied for the lead in stolen bases (16). Her 12 triples lead all players in NJCAA Division 3. She has also driven in 28 runs. The former Tiger has also seen time in the circle, posting a 6-3 record and 4.20 ERA in 53 1/3 innings. Danner has walked nine while striking out 48. Her efforts earned her Region 19 Player of the Year.

Easton currently owns a .292 batting average (26-for-89) and is tied with Danner for the second most RBIs (28) on the team. The former Blue Bomber has four doubles, two triples, and has scored 15 runs.