HAMPTON TWP — What did it mean to the Knoch High School softball team?

"Everything," said senior catcher Lizz King, smiling.

For the first time since 1993, the Knights made a WPIAL playoff appearance. For the first time ever, the Knoch softball team won a postseason game.

A five-run fifth inning was the impetus to this bit of history as Knoch emerged with a 6-2 win over Montour in the opening round of the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs at Hampton High School Monday afternoon.

It meant everything to Knoch coach Scott Docherty, too, who took over a one-win team two seasons ago, led it to within a breath of the postseason last year and to the playoffs this season.

"This is the third milestone this team has accomplished this season," Docherty said. "We were co-section champs, we made the playoffs and now we won a playoff game. This from a team that has gone worst to first."

Knoch fell behind 2-0 in the top of the first inning on a two-run double by Montour clean-up hitter Samantha Schmittlein.

But the Knights answered with an unearned run in the bottom of the first when Zoe Hughes slid under a tag at home plate after an errant throw.

"I was panicked," Docherty said, smiling, when talking about falling behind 2-0. "But that run was a big one."

It settled down starter Stephanie Fincher. She stranded the bases loaded in the second and another in scoring position in the third to keep the game close.

As Montour pitcher Sarah Capp tired, Knoch started to hit her and hit her hard.

It didn't help that Montour played shaky defense behind her, making four errors.

"Any time you play a good team, you can't make errors," said Montour coach Jen Robinson. "They capitalized on our mistakes and we couldn't capitalize when we had runners on base."

Knoch did, however. The Knights scored all five of their runs in the fifth inning with two outs.

Kirsten Brant singled home two runs to put Knoch ahead and then Jade Thrower tripled home two more to give the Knights a four-run lead.

Chelsea Martin relieved Fincher after a leadoff walk in the seventh and struck out Schmittlein for the final out.

It sent Knoch into celebration mode, and Docherty into a moment of nostalgia.

"You know what makes this special?" Docherty said. "I went to school here (at Hampton). I played my Little League and Pony ballgames on this field. My company softball team played on this field. For them to come back and win on this field is very special.

"This was my field of dreams. Their's is in Saxonburg."

Knoch must now wait until Wednesday to find out who it plays next. Elizabeth Forward and Laurel Highlands play Wednesday with the winner facing Knoch at a site, time and day to be determined.

Montour 200 000 0—2 5 4Knoch 100 050 x—6 7 0Sarah Capp and Raquel Ruggani; Stephanie Fincher, Chelsea Martin (7, 1 K, 1 BB) and Lizz King.

W: Fincher (2 K, 4 BB).

L: Capp (9 K, 3 BB).

Montour (11-9): Capp 2-1B, Ruggani 1B, Sabrina Schmittlein 2B 2-RBI, Alexis Alder 1B,

Knoch (15-4): Zoe Hughes 1B, Martin 1B, Kirsten Brant 2-1B 2-RBI, Amanda Sheppeck 1B RBI, Jade Thrower 3B 2-RBI, King 1B

TBA: Elizabeth Forward-Laurel Highlands winner at site and time to be determined