Northampton Softball Wins 6th Straight Over Nazareth

Northampton holds off late rally to defeat local rival Nazareth High School.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 8:17pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting the motion and energy of a high school softball game, with overlapping planes of green, red, and silhouetted player figures.Northampton's hard-fought victory over local rival Nazareth showcases the intense competition and athletic energy of Lehigh Valley high school softball.Nazareth Today

The Northampton High School softball team defeated their local rival Nazareth High School 6-4 on Tuesday, extending their winning streak to 6 games. Northampton built an early lead but had to hold off a late rally by Nazareth to secure the victory.

Why it matters

This matchup between two Lehigh Valley high school softball powerhouses is an important early-season game that could impact playoff seeding and bragging rights in the region. Northampton's strong start to the season has them positioned as a team to watch in the state tournament.

The details

Northampton jumped out to a 5-1 lead through the first four innings, powered by a 3-run home run from sophomore outfielder Emma Russo in the third inning. Nazareth mounted a comeback in the late innings, scoring 3 runs in the 6th to make it a 5-4 game. But Northampton was able to hold on, adding an insurance run in the 7th to seal the victory.

  • The game was played on Tuesday, April 8, 2026.
  • Northampton has now won 6 straight games to start the season.

The players

Kristy Henritzy

The head coach of the Northampton High School softball team.

Emma Russo

A sophomore outfielder for Northampton High School who hit a 3-run home run in the game.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We love to have fun, but when it's time to get serious, we know how to do that too.”

— Kristy Henritzy, Northampton Head Coach

What’s next

Northampton will look to extend their winning streak on Thursday when they host Parkland High School. Nazareth will try to bounce back in their next game against Emmaus High School.

The takeaway

Northampton's fast start to the season has them positioned as a top contender in the Lehigh Valley, while Nazareth's late rally showed they will be a tough out for any opponent this year.