The pre-summer heat wave in Harrison City is nothing compared to the hot streak of the Penn-Trafford Warriors softball team this season. The Warriors were on fire again in the 80-degree weather this Thursday against the Latrobe Wildcats.
The Warriors (14-1, 11-0) are slamming their competition as they ride a 14-game winning streak following a dominating 6-1 victory over Latrobe (8-7, 5-5).
“We just have to stay confident, and we have to stay up. We have to keep cheering for our team, keep being unselfish and keep going,” said senior Lorryn Sepe, who belted out two home runs and four RBIs for the Warriors.
During the previous Section 2-5A game between P-T and Latrobe earlier this season, the Warriors only edged out a 4-2 victory. This time, the Warriors hit the bases running from the start of the game and never looked back, outscoring the Wildcats 6-1.
Sepe knocked out a home run in the first inning, driving in an additional run from Seton Hill commit Rilie Moors. Two innings later, Sepe belted another homer, and the Warriors led 4-1 going into the fifth inning.
“This hit was going to be for the team, no matter what it was. You can’t be selfish. You have to keep doing it for your team, and good outcomes will happen,” Sepe said, recounting her thoughts before the bat.
P-T continued to climb the ladder, scoring two additional runs in the fourth inning. The Warriors maintained their 6-1 lead for the remaining innings.
P-T coach Denny Little believed success against the Wildcats derived from executing the fundamentals and exceptional defense.
“Today, [Ella Mains] was Golden Glove. She was going behind second base, the drop steps on that fly ball — those aren’t ordinary plays,” Little said.
Additional defense from P-T’s pitcher Allyson Paulone kept the momentum going. Paulone pitched for all seven innings, only allowed one base on balls and held the Wildcats to one run.
This season, P-T’s lone loss came in an 8-3 deficit to undefeated Hempfield (14-0). Because the teams are in separate sections, 5A and 6A, respectively, they will not meet again this season unless a scrimmage is added to the schedule.
“First game, we were kind of shocked, but I think we’ve made the adjustment throughout the year. If we would play [Hempfield] again, yes, we could beat them,” Little said.
Other key players include senior Cam Ponko, junior Liz Welsh and sophomore Annabell Carvajal, who all scored a run, and senior Giuliana Youngo with an RBI.
“It’s a fun team to coach. They make me look good,” Little said, smiling.
After playing four consecutive games, the Warriors will have a week-long break before traveling to Connellsville (9-3) on May 1.
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