The BP girls varsity softball team started off the season with a 1-3 record. Since then, though, they have reeled off eleven straight wins.

This streak started after a loss to conference foe Canon-McMillan, 12-10. After that, though, they have won their next eleven games, all conference opponents.

“I attribute our recent success to playing as a team and not as individuals,” Captain Julia Sherwin said.

The streak started on March 31, when the Black Hawks beat Peters Township, 13-3. Sherwin was two for three with three RBIs, two runs, and a double. Morgan Crawford was two for two with three runs, three RBIs, and a triple. Jess Cook got the win after pitching five innings and only giving up three runs (one earned) and striking out six.

BP’s next opponent was Upper St. Clair on April 13, which the Black Hawks easily beat, 15-0. Rachel Albert was two for three with three runs, two RBIs, a walk, and two stolen bases. Taylor Andres earned the win after pitching four scoreless innings and striking out seven.

April 14 featured the rematch between Peters TWP and Bethel Park. However, BP prevailed, 2-0. Albert had the only two RBIs, while Jess Cook scored two runs and had two stolen bases. Cook also got the win on the mound, pitching seven innings and striking out five.

April 15 was the date of a huge section game between BP and Baldwin. BP won a close contest, though, 2-1. The game was won by Albert and Rachel Hankin, who each had a solo home run in the contest.

On April 17, BP beat Carrick, 10-0. Jess Cook got the win, and Albert and Haley Reid each hit a triple.

On April 18, BP was at home vs. Mt. Lebanon. BP easily dispatched the Blue Devils, 10-1. In the game, Albert scored three runs while getting walked two times and reaching base on an error. In addition, Carolyn Cook scored four runs and singled, while Shelby Reid hit a double. However, the BP star of the game was Haley Reid, who had a single, double, and triple, which left her a home run short of hitting for the cycle. In all, H. Reid batted in four runs.

BP beat USC again on April 21, 19-4. Taylor Andres and Carolyn Cook were both three of four with two runs and three RBIs each. Meanwhile, Jess Cook led the team with four RBI’s.

BP’s biggest game during the streak was against former number one seeded Canon-McMillan (6-1, 8-2) on April 23, who BP lost to in their only section loss this season. However, BP upended the Big Macs, 14-4. BP’s efforts were helped tremendously by H. Reid, who was three for four with a triple and four RBIs. S. Reid added a double and triple, while Ashley Burford also hit a triple and batted in three runs. On the mound, Andres struck out four to earn the win for BP. The Canon-McMillan loss knocked the Big Macs down to the number two seed.

The team then beat Mt. Lebanon, 8-2, on April 24, to extend the winning streak to nine games. Jess Cook pitched seven innings and only allowed two runs to get the win on the mound. Albert was two of four with three RBIs.

The streak got to ten on April 27 with a 16-1 beating of Ringgold. Jess Cook hit five RBIs, while Albert was three of three with two runs, two RBIs, and a double.

On April 30, BP got to eleven wins in a row after Carrick forfeited the game.

BP’s record currently stands at 12-3, with a 9-1 record in conference play after their nine-game winning streak. They are in first place in WPIAL Class AAAA Section 4/AAAA, and are only being remotely challenged by Baldwin and Canon-McMillan.

“Our goal is to be Section Champs and then go for the WPIAL title. We can make that happen by working together. ‘Teamwork makes the dream work,'” Sherwin said.

BP’s next game is against West Mifflin on May 1. Then they face section enemy Baldwin for a second time on May 5; and South Park on May 6 to finish the season. The last two games are at home.

“We cannot take anyone lightly,” Andres said.