After falling into a four-run deficit through two innings, the Penn-Trafford softball team faced an uphill climb against top-seeded Armstrong in the WPIAL Class 5A Championship on Friday. The No. 2 seed Warriors battled back and pulled even in the sixth inning, but a leadoff home run by Armstrong’s Jenna Clontz in the bottom of the seventh gave the River Hawks a walk-off 6-5 victory at Lilley Field at California University of Pennsylvania.

While Penn-Trafford (18-3) was denied its first WPIAL crown, Armstrong (20-4) secured its initial district title less than a decade after the school formed from a merger between Ford City and Kittanning.

“They fought like Warriors,” said Penn-Trafford head coach Denny Little of his aptly-named team. “We fell down right away – and just making moves and being who we are and putting pressure on. I couldn’t be more proud of the girls for sticking with it.”

To his point, PT stayed within striking distance by scoring three runs in the top of the third inning. Emma Hauck drew a leadoff walk to start the rally, and Bri Pusateri followed by reaching on an error, putting both players in scoring position. Kylee Piconi then singled on a perfect squeeze bunt to score Hauck, making the score 5-2. The Warriors were far from finished in the inning, though, as Maddy Rapp smacked a one-out RBI double, and Cameron Ponko and Hannah Allen each walked, the second of which brought home Piconi to pull PT within a run. Armstrong hurler Cameryn Sprankle induced consecutive popouts, though, stranding the bases loaded and keeping her team in the lead.

That advantage stood until the sixth, when the Warriors went to their bench repeatedly, to great success. Allen singled to begin the stanza, and was replaced on the bases by Olivia Popovich. Pinch-hitter Rilie Moors followed with a sacrifice bunt, and another pinch hitter, Alexa Forsythe, delivered an RBI single to deadlock the contest at 5-5.

“Every one of these girls knows their role, and they’re up for it and ready for the role,” Little said of his reserves. “It’s never really a gut; it’s a lot of forethought. I play the game out before the game and know who I’m putting where.”

The Warriors were unable to secure their first lead, however, as pinch runner Kylie Anthony was caught stealing, and pinch hitter Lorryn Sepe struck out to end the frame.

After allowing five hits and five runs in the first two innings, PT senior pitcher Mia Smith buckled down, and limited the potent River Hawks’ attack to just one hit over the next four innings. Her toughest challenge came in the fourth, as a pair of walks (one intentional) and a single loaded the bases. Smith induced a deep flyout off the bat of Jesse Pugh to escape unscathed.

Smith didn’t have the same fortune in the seventh, however, as Clontz hit a 3-2 offering over the right-field fence to provide the dramatic finish.

In addition to her winning blast, Clontz provided a two-run double and drew a walk for Armstrong. Meanwhile, Emma Paul walked in all four of her plate appearances, while Emma Smerick and Mackenzie Egley each had a pair of singles. Sprankle earned the complete-game win, permitting six hits and four walks, with a pair of strikeouts.

Allen paced the Warriors offense with a pair of hits, a walk, and two RBIs. Additionally, Cameron Ponko tripled, walked, and scored a run, while Smith went the distance in the circle, giving up seven hits and walking five, while recording eight strikeouts.

Despite the heartbreaking loss, the Warriors still have more to play for, as they begin the PIAA 5A bracket on Monday, playing at Twin Valley, the runner-up from District 3.

Four years ago, the Warriors finished in third in the WPIAL, but rebounded to capture the PIAA title, with Smith securing the final out of the title game.

“Just like 2019, we have a ticket to the postseason and state playoffs, and we’ll probably see them (Armstrong) again if we play like we did today,” said Little.