Beaver Area lost 8-3 to Derry in the WPIAL 4A softball playoffs due to costly errors. The game was played on May 11 at Gateway High School.
Key points
Beaver Area lost 8-3 to Derry
Game played on May 11 at Gateway High School
Errors were costly for Beaver Area
Derry erased a two-run deficit
Francesca DePalma's hit led to crucial runs
Beaver AreaDerryWPIAL 4A softball playoffs
MONROEVILLE — In the postseason, the margin for error is thin, especially in a tie game.
For No. 8 Beaver Area, errors became costly in its opening round game of the WPIAL 4A high school softball playoffs against No. 9 Derry, falling 8-3 on Monday, May 11 at Gateway High School.
After Derry (11-4) erased a two-run Bobcat lead in the top of the fifth inning, its next time up at the plate, after Beaver Area (9-8) recorded two quick outs, Derry put together a rally.
Following a Kameryn Dunlap single, a Paris Clayton walk and Marie Razpotnik single to flip the lineup over, Francesca DePalma lined a ball into left field that was dropped to score a pair.
Beaver Area pitcher Jaedyn Brown (23) releases a pitch in the WPIAL 4A first round game between No. 9 Derry and No. 8 Beaver Area, Monday, May 11, 2026 at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa.
Beaver Area pitcher Jaedyn Brown (23) begins her windup in the WPIAL 4A first round game between No. 9 Derry and No. 8 Beaver Area, Monday, May 11, 2026 at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa.
Beaver Area center fielder Cali Coups (20) connects with a pitch in the WPIAL 4A first round game between No. 9 Derry and No. 8 Beaver Area, Monday, May 11, 2026 at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa.
Beaver Area center fiedler Cali Coups (20) takes a lead off third base in the WPIAL 4A first round game between No. 9 Derry and No. 8 Beaver Area, Monday, May 11, 2026 at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa.
Q&A
What were the key mistakes made by Beaver Area in the playoff game?
Beaver Area's key mistakes included errors that allowed Derry to score crucial runs, particularly a dropped ball in left field.
When did Beaver Area play against Derry in the WPIAL 4A playoffs?
Beaver Area played against Derry on May 11 during the first round of the WPIAL 4A softball playoffs.
What was the final score of the Beaver Area vs. Derry softball game?
The final score was 8-3 in favor of Derry.
How did Derry manage to come back in the game against Beaver Area?
Derry managed to come back by erasing a two-run deficit and capitalizing on Beaver Area's errors to score multiple runs.
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Beaver Area pitcher Jaedyn Brown (23) makes contact with a pitch in the WPIAL 4A first round game between No. 9 Derry and No. 8 Beaver Area, Monday, May 11, 2026 at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa.
Beaver Area head coach Amy Haggart looks on a her team while roaming the third base line in the WPIAL 4A first round game between No. 9 Derry and No. 8 Beaver Area, Monday, May 11, 2026 at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa.
Beaver Area third baseman Bridget Mayo (27) fields a ground ball in the WPIAL 4A first round game between No. 9 Derry and No. 8 Beaver Area, Monday, May 11, 2026 at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa.
Beaver Area third baseman Bridget Mayo (27) gets set to fire a ball onto first base in the WPIAL 4A first round game between No. 9 Derry and No. 8 Beaver Area, Monday, May 11, 2026 at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa.
Beaver Area right fielder Claire Miller (6) tracks in a fly ball in the WPIAL 4A first round game between No. 9 Derry and No. 8 Beaver Area, Monday, May 11, 2026 at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa.
Beaver Area center fielder Cali Coups (20) fires a ball into the infield in the WPIAL 4A first round game between No. 9 Derry and No. 8 Beaver Area, Monday, May 11, 2026 at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa.
Beaver Area shortstop Rhiannon Rabassi (13) looks to make contact with a pitch in the WPIAL 4A first round game between No. 9 Derry and No. 8 Beaver Area, Monday, May 11, 2026 at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa.
Beaver Area left fielder Alexa Thomas (22) and right fielder Claire Miller (6) celebrate with center fielder Cali Coups (20) after she makes a diving grab to save a run in the WPIAL 4A first round game between No. 9 Derry and No. 8 Beaver Area, Monday, May 11, 2026 at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa.
Beaver Area first baseman Olivia Peabody (14) connects with a pitch in the WPIAL 4A first round game between No. 9 Derry and No. 8 Beaver Area, Monday, May 11, 2026 at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa.
Beaver Area pitcher Jaedyn Brown (23) slides in safely to home in the WPIAL 4A first round game between No. 9 Derry and No. 8 Beaver Area, Monday, May 11, 2026 at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa.
Beaver Area shortstop Rhiannon Rabassi (13) fires a throw onto first in the WPIAL 4A first round game between No. 9 Derry and No. 8 Beaver Area, Monday, May 11, 2026 at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa.
Beaver Area third baseman Bridget Mayo (27) aims to make contact with the pitch in the WPIAL 4A first round game between No. 9 Derry and No. 8 Beaver Area, Monday, May 11, 2026 at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa.
Beaver Area designated player Lily Bixler gets set to take a lead off second base in the WPIAL 4A first round game between No. 9 Derry and No. 8 Beaver Area, Monday, May 11, 2026 at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa.
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Derry Vs Beaver Area WPIAL 4A high school softball first-round photos
Beaver Area pitcher Jaedyn Brown (23) releases a pitch in the WPIAL 4A first round game between No. 9 Derry and No. 8 Beaver Area, Monday, May 11, 2026 at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa.
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Derry Vs Beaver Area WPIAL 4A high school softball first-round photos
Beaver Area pitcher Jaedyn Brown (23) releases a pitch in the WPIAL 4A first round game between No. 9 Derry and No. 8 Beaver Area, Monday, May 11, 2026 at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa.
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Derry Vs Beaver Area WPIAL 4A high school softball first-round photos
Beaver Area pitcher Jaedyn Brown (23) begins her windup in the WPIAL 4A first round game between No. 9 Derry and No. 8 Beaver Area, Monday, May 11, 2026 at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa.
3 / 17
Derry Vs Beaver Area WPIAL 4A high school softball first-round photos
Beaver Area center fielder Cali Coups (20) connects with a pitch in the WPIAL 4A first round game between No. 9 Derry and No. 8 Beaver Area, Monday, May 11, 2026 at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa.
4 / 17
Derry Vs Beaver Area WPIAL 4A high school softball first-round photos
Beaver Area center fiedler Cali Coups (20) takes a lead off third base in the WPIAL 4A first round game between No. 9 Derry and No. 8 Beaver Area, Monday, May 11, 2026 at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa.
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Derry Vs Beaver Area WPIAL 4A high school softball first-round photos
Beaver Area pitcher Jaedyn Brown (23) makes contact with a pitch in the WPIAL 4A first round game between No. 9 Derry and No. 8 Beaver Area, Monday, May 11, 2026 at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa.
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Derry Vs Beaver Area WPIAL 4A high school softball first-round photos
Beaver Area head coach Amy Haggart looks on a her team while roaming the third base line in the WPIAL 4A first round game between No. 9 Derry and No. 8 Beaver Area, Monday, May 11, 2026 at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa.
7 / 17
Derry Vs Beaver Area WPIAL 4A high school softball first-round photos
Beaver Area third baseman Bridget Mayo (27) fields a ground ball in the WPIAL 4A first round game between No. 9 Derry and No. 8 Beaver Area, Monday, May 11, 2026 at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa.
8 / 17
Derry Vs Beaver Area WPIAL 4A high school softball first-round photos
Beaver Area third baseman Bridget Mayo (27) gets set to fire a ball onto first base in the WPIAL 4A first round game between No. 9 Derry and No. 8 Beaver Area, Monday, May 11, 2026 at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa.
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Derry Vs Beaver Area WPIAL 4A high school softball first-round photos
Beaver Area right fielder Claire Miller (6) tracks in a fly ball in the WPIAL 4A first round game between No. 9 Derry and No. 8 Beaver Area, Monday, May 11, 2026 at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa.
10 / 17
Derry Vs Beaver Area WPIAL 4A high school softball first-round photos
Beaver Area center fielder Cali Coups (20) fires a ball into the infield in the WPIAL 4A first round game between No. 9 Derry and No. 8 Beaver Area, Monday, May 11, 2026 at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa.
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Derry Vs Beaver Area WPIAL 4A high school softball first-round photos
Beaver Area shortstop Rhiannon Rabassi (13) looks to make contact with a pitch in the WPIAL 4A first round game between No. 9 Derry and No. 8 Beaver Area, Monday, May 11, 2026 at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa.
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Derry Vs Beaver Area WPIAL 4A high school softball first-round photos
Beaver Area left fielder Alexa Thomas (22) and right fielder Claire Miller (6) celebrate with center fielder Cali Coups (20) after she makes a diving grab to save a run in the WPIAL 4A first round game between No. 9 Derry and No. 8 Beaver Area, Monday, May 11, 2026 at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa.
13 / 17
Derry Vs Beaver Area WPIAL 4A high school softball first-round photos
Beaver Area first baseman Olivia Peabody (14) connects with a pitch in the WPIAL 4A first round game between No. 9 Derry and No. 8 Beaver Area, Monday, May 11, 2026 at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa.
14 / 17
Derry Vs Beaver Area WPIAL 4A high school softball first-round photos
Beaver Area pitcher Jaedyn Brown (23) slides in safely to home in the WPIAL 4A first round game between No. 9 Derry and No. 8 Beaver Area, Monday, May 11, 2026 at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa.
15 / 17
Derry Vs Beaver Area WPIAL 4A high school softball first-round photos
Beaver Area shortstop Rhiannon Rabassi (13) fires a throw onto first in the WPIAL 4A first round game between No. 9 Derry and No. 8 Beaver Area, Monday, May 11, 2026 at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa.
16 / 17
Derry Vs Beaver Area WPIAL 4A high school softball first-round photos
Beaver Area third baseman Bridget Mayo (27) aims to make contact with the pitch in the WPIAL 4A first round game between No. 9 Derry and No. 8 Beaver Area, Monday, May 11, 2026 at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa.
17 / 17
Derry Vs Beaver Area WPIAL 4A high school softball first-round photos
Beaver Area designated player Lily Bixler gets set to take a lead off second base in the WPIAL 4A first round game between No. 9 Derry and No. 8 Beaver Area, Monday, May 11, 2026 at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa.
One batter later, Lylah O’Donnell also reached on an error, with the third baseman bobbling the ball while trying to make a play.
“Anytime that you can get on and score runs off of errors is good for a team,” Beaver Area head coach Amy Haggart said. “I don’t think our kids hung their heads at all though. They fought to get out of that inning and tried to get back into the game.”
While errors cost Beaver in the field in the sixth inning, despite a strong showing with the bats, spreading out 10 hits, the team struggled with runners in scoring position.
Beaver Area third baseman Bridget Mayo (27) aims to make contact with the pitch in the WPIAL 4A first round game between No. 9 Derry and No. 8 Beaver Area, Monday, May 11, 2026 at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa.
Beaver Area third baseman Bridget Mayo (27) aims to make contact with the pitch in the WPIAL 4A first round game between No. 9 Derry and No. 8 Beaver Area, Monday, May 11, 2026 at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa.
Every inning, Beaver Area stranded at least one runner on base, several in scoring position, including runners at second and third in the bottom of the sixth inning, down two runs.
“At the end of the day, I think we just needed some better pitch selection. We just needed to look for some better pitches,” Haggart said. “It was not for a lack of effort, though. These kids fought the whole game.”
Pitcher Jaedyn Brown gave it everything she had in the circle and put the team in a position to win, allowing just two earned runs on six hits and striking out two.
The team also got multi-hit performances out of Cali Coups, Olivia Peabody and Bella Marino.
Beaver Area center fiedler Cali Coups (20) takes a lead off third base in the WPIAL 4A first round game between No. 9 Derry and No. 8 Beaver Area, Monday, May 11, 2026 at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa.
Beaver Area center fiedler Cali Coups (20) takes a lead off third base in the WPIAL 4A first round game between No. 9 Derry and No. 8 Beaver Area, Monday, May 11, 2026 at Gateway High School in Monroeville, Pa.
The loss marks the end of the road for four Beaver Area seniors, Coups, Abby Hojdila, Rhiannon Rabassi, and Jaedyn Brown, all who have played a pivotal role in the team’s success throughout their high school careers.
“This is a tough loss because this senior class of girls has been lettermen since they were freshmen,” Haggart said. “They are like my kids, it is sad to see them go, but I am proud because they have given me their all for four straight years and all four of them will be going on to play at the next level and I can’t be more proud.”
Beaver Area finishes the season one game over .500 and as the fourth-place team out of Section III.
