KENNEDY TOWNSHIP, Allegheny County — So much for manufacturing the winning run.

Stevie Stanek did it Wednesday with one swing of the bat.

Shaler's senior catcher came to the plate with the bases empty and one out in the bottom of the eighth inning with her team tied with Seneca Valley, 2-2.

Stanek worked the count to 3-1 before depositing the fifth pitch over the left-field fence for a 3-2 win in a WPIAL Quad A softball semifinal at Fairhaven Park.

It was Stanek's fifth home run of the season.

"I'm sitting there thinking the bases are empty and I was looking for a big hit," said Shaler coach Skip Palmer. "We've got a bunch of girls capable of putting one out, and today it was Stevie's turn."

The blast came off of SV starter Courtney Grootegoed, who struck out seven, walked four and gave up three runs on five hits.

SV trailed 2-1 entering the top of the seventh.

But, down to their last three outs, the Raiders scored a run when Kelsey Gray led off with a single, moved to second on Lauren Hunt's groundout and came home on a throwing error.

However, Shaler starting and winning pitcher Megan Daley retired the Raiders in order in the eighth. The senior right-hander gave up eight hits, struck out four and walked one, holding SV's potent lineup to two runs. She also stranded seven Raiders runners.

"She's a fighter," Palmer said. "I've always said that if there's a war, I want her in my foxhole. She'll battle to the bitter end."

Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the sixth, Shaler put up two runs to take the lead.

With runners at first and third and one out, Titans courtesy runner Britt DeFazio scored on a throwing error.

Three batters later, Erin Fieldhouse drew a two-out walk with the bases loaded to bring home Amanda Lyle.

Grootegoed did get Megan Woods to ground out to end the inning, as the Titans (16-4) left the bases loaded.

"We played a tough game (Monday) and I don't know if Courtney was a little tired or not," said Raiders coach George Trew. "But I thought she pitched well today."

After four scoreless innings, SV (15-6) finally broke the stalemate with a run in the top of the fifth.

Ashley Watkins reached on a fielding error, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and to third on Hunt's single to left.

Watkins scored when Dana Hughes slapped a single to center, but Hunt was thrown out at home on the same play.

Both members of Section 3, SV and Shaler played each other twice during the regular season, with the Raiders winning both games by scores of 4-2 and 8-4.

For the second straight playoff game, SV shortstop Dana Hughes had three hits and Alyssa DiMaria added two.

SV's loss ended the high school careers of Caitlin McGill, Ashley Watkins, Kelsey Gray, Courtney Grootegoed, Jackie Mangola and Megan McCormick.

"We made the playoffs the last four years," said Trew. "It was a good run."

Seneca Valley 000 010 10—2 8 2Shaler 000 002 01—3 5 3W: Megan Daley 8IP (4 K, 1 BB).

L: Courtney Grootegoed 7Z\cIP (7 K, 4 BB).

Seneca Valley (15-6): Dana Hughes 3-1B RBI, Megan McCormick 1B, Ashley Watkins R, Kelsey Gray 1B R, Lauren Hunt 1B, Alyssa DiMaria 2-1B

Shaler (16-4): Megan Daley 1B, Chelsea Siar 1B SB, Samantha Montoya RBI, Stevie Stanek HR, Holly Pefferman 1B, Erin Fieldhouse 1B RBI, Britt Defazio R, Amanda Lyle R