The Knoch softball team had scored nine runs a game during the regular season, so it came as no surprise when the Knights had eight runs by the fourth inning of their WPIAL Class 4A quarterfinal game against North Catholic on May 19.
But at the end of the seventh inning, North Catholic had matched Knoch’s run total.
The Trojanettes rallied from an early deficit and then tied the score with three runs in the top of the seventh to send it into extra innings.
The 10th inning called, and North Catholic exploded for five runs.
Knoch responded with two in the bottom of the inning: one on a groundout by senior Liz Danik and the second on a double from fellow senior Lindsey Wise. But it could get no more and fell 13-10.
Suddenly, the No. 2 seed was gone from the tournament. The Knights’ season was over at 16-3.
A run to what would have been its first WPIAL title was cut short on the field at North Allegheny High School.
“The girls were devastated,” Knoch coach Chris Gardner said. “We had that one in hand, and we let it slip away. It was really emotional for everyone, for sure.
“We knew North Catholic was a good team. They were winning games and beating good competition. They beat Blackhawk and Hampton in a tough section. We weren’t taking them lightly.”
Senior Marlee Frasier homered and doubled, senior Alena Tekely doubled and tripled and sophomore Emersyn Jones hit a solo home run. Danik, Wise, Tekely, and Fraser drove in two runs each.
“I really though this year was our year,” said Gardner whose team lost in the quarterfinals for the fourth straight year.
But despite the tough ending to the season, Gardner said all involved were able to take a step back and see what they accomplished to garner the No. 2 seed for the playoffs. Knoch lost its opener to Class 5A Plum and its first section game to rival Indiana before closing out the regular season with 13 straight wins.
Gardner praised a senior class that went 39-5 in winning three section titles and finishing second the other time over its four varsity years. Danik (center field), Wise (second base), Alena Tekely (right field) and Marlee Fraser (third base/pitcher) started their final game.
“We had our banquet on Tuesday, and we celebrated our seniors and all they gave to this program,” Gardner said. “They had a great high school career. The mood at the banquet was pretty positive. The girls had gotten over the loss and were just focused on being together and celebrating all of the positive moments.”
Fellow senior Kaylee Bachman stayed with the team throughout the spring despite missing the entire season with a knee injury. She started at third on senior day and left the game after one pitch.
“Kaylee was an absolutely wonderful teammate all year,” Gardner said. “She showed up all the time when she wasn’t at the doctors. She was the loudest cheer in the dugout. She was right there with us, and the girls supported her so much in return.”
Jones, Fraser and junior Kaila Purcell were called upon to pitch in high-level situations all season, and the three shared time in the circle against North Catholic.
There wasn’t one who dominated in innings, and each, Gardner said, understood the game plan for the greater good of the team. Kaila pitched 38 1/3 innings, Fraser 37 2/3, and Jones 36.
Purcell shined in the second game against Indiana as she pitched a complete game with just two hits allowed, one strikeout, and no walks in a 4-2 victory that propelled the Knights to the section title.
Fraser made the most of her opportunity against Class 3A quarterfinalist Burrell late in the regular season. She also went the distance, scattered four hits, surrendered no earned runs, struck out six and walked none in a 2-1 victory.
Purcell and Jones’ return will give Knoch strength in the circle and in the lineup, and junior catcher Mckenna Brailey, sophomore first baseman McKenna Jones, and junior left fielder Olyvia Foster — all starters — also will be back.
Knoch batted a collective .367 with a .450 on-base percentage.
Jones had an all-star season with a team-leading .508 average (33 for 65) with nine doubles, eight home runs, 22 RBIs and 24 runs scored.
In her final season, Tekely batted .426 (23 for 54) with five doubles, 22 RBIs and 20 runs scored.
Fraser also was strong at the plate with a .407 average (22 of 54) with six doubles, four home runs, 19 RBIs and 21 runs scored.
Danik was second on the team with 25 hits, and she scored 22 runs and Wise delivered 23 hits and drove in 17.
Purcell collected five doubles and knocked in 21 runs.
“I don’t know if we were the top offense in 4A, but I did see an article that said Elizabeth Forward and Hampton were No. 2 and No. 3,” Gardner said. “I don’t know for sure who No. 1 was, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was us. Everyone in the lineup was dangerous. We averaged 10-plus hits a game and nine-plus runs a game, and that batting average was something to be proud of.”
Gardner said that, along with a solid core coming back, a group of freshmen who will be sophomores are ready to step up and step into some big shoes.
“They know what it will take to keep this going, and they want that responsibility,” he said.