Three out of four is pretty impressive for a team that was not predicted to be playing in June. Penn Manor's softball team secured the Section One crown, went on to win the Lancaster-Lebanon League championships and then topped three L-L League foes to capture their first District Three 6A District title.

On Thursday, June 9, their journey to PIAA gold ended with an 11-4 loss to Spring-Ford in a game played at Governor Mifflin High School.

"This group just overachieved," said head coach Dave Stokes. "They are the greatest team in Penn Manor history. We have never had 25 wins before and the Section Title, L-L Championship and District title trifecta will be difficult to duplicate. This was only the second time in 46 years for us to win the league championship.

"They're a great group of kids," he added. "And maybe having just nine players helped. No subs. No drama. Everyone just came and did their job, they had fun and enjoyed each other."

But that fun ended in the PIAA quarterfinals. Caitlyn Ashley (3-4, 6 RBI), who batted third in the Spring-Ford lineup, belted a pair of home runs, including a grand slam in the bottom of the sixth that sealed the deal for the Comets and pushed the Rams to the PIAA semifinals.

The fourth seed out of District One gained momentum in the second inning, batting around plus one and scoring six runs, all with two outs. A solo homer by Riley Gancasz started the action and Ashley's two run round tripper, along with a pair of base hits and two errors left the Comets in the hole early.

"You just can't make the errors (3) we made," said Stokes. "We have not made those mistakes all year. But that put us behind the eight ball. If we play them (Spring-Ford) in a series, I don't think we lose every time. We came back and were making a game of it."

Julie Bowmaster started in the circle but lasted just 1 2/3 innings before reliever Emily Riggs stepped in.

"Julie got frustrated," said Stokes. "It is the first time all year I've seen that. We just were not getting the calls, but that's softball."

The Comets cut into the lead with a three-spot in the fourth inning. Jordan Bailey opened with Manor's first hit of the day. Riggs followed with a base hit and Audrey Paterson ripped a full-count RBI single to left field. One out later, Carissa Herman, seeing her first varsity action, blooped a hit over the infield to load the bags for Bowmaster who took out her frustration with a two-run double that made it 6-3.

"Carissa actually replaced Amelia Trout who was filling in for Maddie Mitchell who was away on a family vacation," Stokes explained. "Amelia hurt her hip running to first, so we went with Carissa who we have used as a pinch runner a couple of times but never in the outfield. She got that key hit and later made a big catch."

Spring-Ford changed pitchers in the fifth inning. Starter Jules Scogna was replaced by Jess Fliszar who nailed down the win with three frames of two-hit, three-strikeout relief. The lone hit was a solo shot by Riggs in the fifth inning.

The Comets committed their third error in the top of the sixth when a grounder between first, second, and the pitcher resulted in a no play. After a popup and a walk, Manor committed a mental error when grounder to third resulted in Gancasz sliding safely into the bag. Stokes appealed what should have been a force out, but the umpires did not reverse the call. Ellie Jarrell followed with a run scoring single to left before Ashley's grand slam closed the door.

"I thought we would have been finished long ago," said senior outfielder Audrey Paterson. "We did not expect this. We just played with no expectations. We are sad it's over, but it was a lot of fun."

"You have to credit Julie and Emily for their pitching performances," said Stokes. "I did not know if either one of them would have been strong enough to carry us but the two of them together...well that worked out pretty well.

"We'll have to replace the seniors (Riggs and Paterson), but we should be a year stronger and a year more confident when next season rolls along," he added. "It was a great season. I don't have enough compliments to pass around."

Adding to their accomplishments was the announcement of this year's all-stars. Riggs, Bailey, Bowmaster, Mitchell, and Paterson were recognized as First Team all-stars while Kira Green and Reagan Soboleski were honorable mention selections.