Since Penn-Trafford won the 2019 PIAA Class 5A softball title, the team that has presented the most problems is Armstrong.
The River Hawks have won five of the six meetings, including a heartbreaking loss in the WPIAL semifinals in 2024.
But Penn-Trafford coach Denny Little is hoping things are changing.
The Warriors (4-1, 1-0) opened Section 2-5A action Monday with a 7-2 victory against Armstrong, ending the River Hawks’ four-game winning streak and extending their own winning streak to four games.
“They’ve been our nemesis,” Little said. “I was talking to the team before. This was big for our confidence, a confidence builder. We talked at practice that we must take one game at a time. Every game is the same.
“We tried to downplay the game, but this group of girls knows how big this game was. They were up for it, you could tell. I didn’t have to say anything.”
Penn-Trafford came out swinging. The Warriors pounded out 13 hits, including three by Rilie Moors (two singles and a double).
They also got a solid pitching performance from sophomore Allyson Paulone and solid defense behind her.
“We are sort of a work in progress,” Armstrong coach Keith Shaffer said. “We have a couple talented freshmen, and we have some returnees playing new positions.
“Our No. 1 pitcher is slowed by injury, but our No. 2 is adequate. I reminded the girls after the game that they beat us early last year, and then we did not lose a section game. Hopefully, history repeats itself.”
Penn-Trafford loaded the bases in the first inning, but Ella Mains lined into a double play.
The Warriors took a 1-0 lead in the second inning as Kylie Anthony singled, swiped second and scored on a single by Liz Welsh.
They scored three times in the third as Moors singled, and Cameron Ponko doubled her home. Ponko scored on a wild pitch. Mains singled and scored on Anthony’s ground out.
“We’ve been back-and-forth against them for years,” Ponko said. “We had a lot of energy today, and we put the bat on the ball. That’s all we needed.”
Little added: “Our hard work on our offense showed.
Armstrong (4-2, 0-1) cut the lead to 4-1 when Jordyn Klingensmith, who singled, scored on a ground out.
Penn-Trafford responded in the bottom of the inning to push the lead to 7-1. Bella Rubbe singled, Moors singled and Ponko followed with an RBI hit. Ponko had two hits and two RBIs.
Giuliana Youngo singled home Moors, and Mains singled home Ponko.
Sydney Krukar homered in the fifth inning to end the scoring.
Paulone, who was the losing pitcher in the playoff game, said she was eager to face them. She allowed six hits, no walks and fanned three.
“I made a few adjustments,” Paulone said. “It’s so easy to pitch when you have a solid defense behind you,”
Little added: “Allyson did a great job locating her spots. She was outstanding. Pitching coach Amber Watson said it was a fun game to call.
“Armstrong made our section stronger when they were put in. They are a solid team.”