WEXFORD — It was an emotional night for Knoch senior shortstop Bethany Hay.

The Knights' softball program that took so many steps forward during her career fell just short of taking the next one.

Thirteenth-seeded Thomas Jefferson rallied in the last two innings to upset fourth-seeded Knoch 3-2 in the first round of the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs Tuesday night at North Allegheny High School.

“We wanted this so badly. Two years ago, our goal was just to make the playoffs,” Hay said. “This year our goal was to win the section. We did that.”

The Knights, who won the section title for the first time since 2008, were ahead 2-1 in the sixth inning when the game was stopped for a lightning delay.

Once the game resumed about 45 minutes later, the Jaguars (12-6) made their move.

Lauren Herazo led off with a single off Knoch pitcher Codi Reed. Thomas Jefferson coach Heidi Karcher pinch hit the next two batters. Sydney Flinn grounded out, advancing Herazo to second. Lindsay Kalup reached on a throwing error, scoring Herazo to tie the game.

“I had to take a different approach to the game,” Karcher said. “I wasn't looking for base hits. I was looking to get a run.”

In the seventh inning, Thomas Jefferson's Rachel Bowers led off with a double. One batter later, Janelle Allison singled to deep center field, scoring Bowers to end the game.

“It goes back to fundamental softball and making the plays when they come to you,” Knoch coach Tim Knappenberger said. “We had three errors tonight, which is our average for the season. ... I'm proud of this group, they accomplished something that hasn't been done since 2008.”

Thomas Jefferson went ahead 1-0 in the first inning and it appeared that pitcher Lacie Lautner would make that stand.

Lautner struck out seven and held the Knights (10-4) to four hits in seven innings of work.

“All it was for us was timing,” Hay said. “We were letting her get us too late. We were swinging too late.”

Shaely Renfrew drew a seven-pitch walk in the fifth to give Knoch some momentum. Hay then made Lautner pay.

She sliced a ball down the right-field line that slid by Tara Conley, who dove for the ball and slid by it, allowing it to reach the wall.

While Conley tried to dig the ball out of the corner, Hay was hustling around the bases. She was able to go in for an inside-the-park home run that put Knoch ahead 2-1.

“I had no idea,” Hay said about her mindset on the basepaths. “I was just running for my life.”

The Knights just couldn't muster any more offense. That gave Thomas Jefferson a chance to end Knoch's year.

“We just didn't bring the bats tonight,” Knappenberger said. “Normally, we average nine hits and today we only had four.”

Knoch 000 020 0 — 2 4 2

Thomas Jefferson 100 001 1 — 3 7 1

W: Lacie Lautner 7IP (8K, 2BB). L: Codi Reed 7IP (2K, 3BB).

Knoch (10-4): Bethany Hay HR, Chandler Krelow 2B, Abbie Thrower 1B, Avery Keller 1B

Thomas Jefferson (12-6): Kyla Prickett 1B, Janelle Allison 3 1B, Rebecca Bachman 1B, Lauren Herazo 1B