Peters Township High School softball coach Bea Rhodes was pleased and disappointed after Monday's loss in the first round of the WPIAL Class AAAA playoffs.

"I'm obviously disappointed to have the season come to an end in the first round of the playoffs, but I'm very pleased with our overall performance," Rhodes said after Monday's 2-0 loss to Hempfield Area at California University of Pennsylvania. "This is the fourth time in five years that we've been in the playoffs."

Expect Peters Township's success to carry over to next season, as the Indians, who finished with an 11-6 record, expect to have almost their entire roster return.

"We have only one senior, so the future is bright," Rhodes said. "My juniors have been to the playoffs three years in a row. They have a chance to make it four times next year."

Starting right fielder Jodi Kohne was the lone senior on the Peters roster this season.

Peters Township earned its playoff berth by placing second to Mt. Lebanon in Section 4-AAAA. Hempfield finished third in Section 1-AAAA.

"I'm surprised we got the game in when you consider how much rain we got," Rhodes said. "The game started 45 minutes late due to a thunderstorm. We also had a 45-60 minute delay in the third inning."

Hempfield broke the tie with single runs in the fourth and fifth inning.

"[Hempfield] got runners in scoring position in both innings and came up with the clutch hit both times," Rhodes said. "We had a tough time at the plate, as we had only four hits. That surprised me because we've been a pretty good hitting team all year."

Rhodes said one of the Indians' strengths was their play up the middle. Juniors Julianne Taylor and Kelsey Cunningham have been mainstays in the infield since their freshman seasons, while junior Lindsey Hoover finished her second season as the starter in center.

"Julianne played third base as a freshman, then moved to second base last year," Rhodes said. "Kelsey played second base as a freshman, then moved to shortstop last year. Lindsey was a designated hitter during her freshman year."

Taylor has a .345 average as the Indians leadoff hitter. Cunningham bats third and led the team with a .353 average. Hoover hit three home runs and boasted a .578 slugging percentage as the team's cleanup hitter.

"Kelsey has great range in the infield," Rhodes said. "She can also catch, if needed. She's only a junior, but already has Division I schools interested."

Rhodes used three pitchers, with sophomore Morgan Meadows getting the most time on the mound. Meadows had a 7-2 record for the Indians, while Tara Konopka and Olivia Bovalina each recorded two victories. Meadows pitched four innings against Hempfield.

"Morgan is a good motion pitcher who has an awesome drop and a good screwball," Rhodes said. "The Washington & Jefferson coach asked me about Morgan after the game."

Meadows and Bovalina split time on the mound last year after standout senior Shaylee Ianno was lost with a season-ending injury.

"Tara is a power pitcher who has been clocked in the upper 50s [mph]," Rhodes said. "She pitched a complete game in our extra-inning loss to Mt. Lebanon. Olivia has a nice drop and a good curve. She also hits well."

Freshman Morgan Matetic handled the catching duties and had a .333 batting average.

"Morgan did a great job for a freshman, especially since we used three different pitchers," Rhodes said. "And all three have different pitching styles. Morgan can also play second base and shortstop, if needed."

Other members of the starting lineup are junior third baseman Alisha Johns, junior left fielder Paige Burris, junior first baseman Stephanie Lusk, and freshman designated hitter Katie O'Laughlin.