All through the softball season, Montour coach Jen Robinson has been watching the Spartans jump on the opposition early.

It was no different in the WPIAL Class AAA quarterfinals when the Spartans' first three batters put two hits together with a sacrifice to take a 1-0 lead against Waynesburg Central. The run would stand as the only one of the game and Montour advanced to the WPIAL semifinals.

Montour (16-6) was scheduled to play Belle Vernon (14-7) at 4 p.m. yesterday at California University of Pennsylvania.

It was Montour's third consecutive shutout, including a 3-0 victory against New Castle in the first round. The Spartans were 13-2 in Section 3-AAA and shared the section title with Keystone Oaks.

Leadoff hitter, Marina Scarantino started the game off against Waynesburg with a single and shortstop Angel Panizzi moved her to second base. Senior Sarah Capp then came up with a single to drive in the run and Capp would ensure that it would be enough by pitching a two-hit shutout.

"I wasn't surprised that we scored that quickly because we have done it a number of times throughout the year," Robinson said.

"We always start out like that but I was surprised in the quarterfinal game that we didn't score anymore."

Robinson credits the Spartans' experience with helping them pull out the win in the first round against a non-playoff tested New Castle team. Against Waynesburg it came down to mostly defense with the Spartans playing one of their best defensive games of the season highlighted by a play made in the seventh inning. Freshman Nicole Pajak threw out the potential tying run from her knees from her third base position.

"Our defense was just unbelievable [against Waynesburg]," Robinson said.

"They hit the ball and hit it solid all game and our defense came up with some great plays. We have to continue to play strong defense. Sarah is not a pitcher that is going to strike out 15 kids a game. Our defense knows that and they play like they want the ball hit to them every play."

Capp might not come up with a lot of strikeouts but she does make them count. When the Spartans needed a strikeout in the sixth inning against Waynesburg Capp came up with one to end a threat and the inning.

"She has been solid this season. She is the cornerstone of the team and she knows she is a leader and she takes on that role very well," Robinson said.

"She steps up when she needs to. Our number two pitcher has been out since September and Sarah has held this team together throughout the season. She is the only pitcher we have and we have to ride her and she knows that."

With all but one starter returning from last year's team that also reached the playoffs, Montour was expected to contend throughout the season. The Spartans got off to an 11-2 start. They would lose their next three games after that hot start including a 4-3 decision to Keystone Oaks in 10 innings and a 1-0 loss to Class AAAA North Allegheny.

"I wasn't really worried after those losses ... I was more disappointed," Robinson said.

"I was shocked that we did go three games without a win, but I think its OK to lose a game every once in a while. I think it puts a fire under you. I was just surprised that it was three games. We weren't getting blown out, we were still playing well in those games."

After the three-game slide the Spartans bounced back to close out the season, going 3-1 with another close 1-0 loss coming against Seneca Valley, the No. 2-ranked team in Class AAA.

"We play a tough exhibition schedule. We don't play teams to boost out record," Robinson said.

"We go down south at the beginning of the season and play very good competition. I think our exhibition schedule prepares us tremendously for the playoffs."