By JIM RUMBLE

It was a grueling week for the Avonworth softball team, but it was well worth it as the Lady ‘Lopes secured a spot for the upcoming WPIAL playoffs.

The 'Lopes started off by hosting Brentwood last Thursday. After surrendering a lead late, the girls were able to come back in the final inning to win 9-8.

"We had a couple of mental mistakes but the good thing, though, is that we were able to come back," said head coach Chris Knox.

Avonworth got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first when Julianne Hirsch doubled to right center and scored on a base hit by Marissa Milbert. The Spartans tied the game in the top of the third, but the 'Lopes reclaimed the lead in their half of the inning. Kiersten Erlanson, running in place of Hirsch, who had singled to open the inning, scored on a base hit by Kelsey Knox, giving the Lady ‘Lopes a 2-1 lead.

The score remained that way until Avonworth picked up four runs in the fifth inning.

Base hits by Hirsch and Natalie Zivic preceeded Tracy Catanzarite's single to center that scored two runs. A walk to Lucy Angell came next, and Laura Presutti doubled past the centerfielder to drive in a pair of runs and put the Lady 'Lopes in front 6-1.

Brentwood picked up two runs in the sixth and then pulled ahead in the top of the seventh, scoring five runs to lead 8-6.

A base hit by Knox and a double off the fence in center by Catanzarite put runners in scoring position, and then Presutti was walked to load the bases for Avonworth in the bottom of the seventh.

Erin Zakor's liner to second base was dropped, scoring a run and keeping the bases loaded with the 'Lopes behind 8-7.

Ali Chambers followed with a grounder to shortstop, but the throw for the force-out at home was late and Catanzarite scored to tie the game with one out. Hirsch followed with a liner to left field that grazed the fielder's glove and allowed the winning run to earn the 'Lopes a 9-8 victory.

In their first meeting with Bishop Canevin on Saturday, May 7, Avonworth banged out 17 hits but fell 14-11.

The 'Lopes trailed early, 4-1, but scored seven runs in the fourth to lead 8-4. Canevin answered with six runs in the fifth and four runs in the sixth to reclaim their lead at 14-8.

The Lady ‘Lopes added three runs in the final inning and had the tying run at the plate when the game ended.

Chambers was 4-5 with a triple and three RBIs, Hirsch 3-5 with a double and one RBI, Zivic 2-4 and one RBI, Zakor and Presutti each 2-4 with two RBIs and Milbert had a two-run homer.

Monday, May 10, was senior recognition night when Avonworth hosted Upper St. Clair in a non-section game and came away with a 9-7 win.

Pitcher Stephanie Klesic earned the win as the 'Lopes registered 16 hits. Zivic was 4-4, including a two-run homer, Catanzarite 3-4 with a double, triple and one RBI, Presutti and Knox 2-4 with two RBIs each, and Kim Felter 2-4 with a double.

In the first of two games played on Tuesday, May 10, the Lady ‘Lopes played at Canevin, with Klesic recording a 1-0 shut-out victory. The 'Lopes scored in the fifth inning when Chambers singled to score Catanzarite from third base.

The win for Avonworth earned the team a berth in the upcoming WPIAL playoffs.

Avonworth hosted Seton LaSalle in the second game, but came out on the short end of a 2-0 battle against the WPIAL's top-ranked team in AA. Hirsch absorbed the loss, but pitched a solid game with with strike-outs.

"There's a reason these guys won our section -- they're a good team," Knox said of the Rebels after the game.

Knox noted that his team seemed to be chasing after a lot of pitches as they struggled to register three hits on the night.

"We're normally more patient and we did not hit tonight," he said.

Avonworth's three singles came from Zivic, Catanzarite and Felter.

On Wednesday, May 11, the Lady ‘Lopes finished the regular season with an 11-2 win at OLSH. Hirsch recorded 10 strike-outs while earning the win while Avonworth got back on track offensively, collecting 16 hits.

Avonworth (13-3, 10-4), finished in a tie for second place in the section and now awaits playoff pairings.