North Catholic defies all odds to make first WPIAL softball semifinal in dramatic win vs Knoch

May 19, 2026 Last Updated: May 19, 2026 10:08 PM Sports

North Catholic’s Kennedy Brown (3) and Julia Lehman (12) embrace as they celebrate a 13-10 win in extra innings against Knoch in a WPIAL Class 4A softball quarterfinal Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at North Allegheny High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

WEXFORD — Facing adversity during the course of a game does not phase North Catholic’s softball team.

The Trojanettes are relishing in simply being on the field.

“A lot of people don’t know this about us, but we weren’t even sure if we’d have a team this season,” North coach Dave Brown said. “Our numbers were way down, and we are made up (largely) of underclassmen.”

The odds have been against the Trojanettes all season, and they faced them again in Tuesday’s WPIAL Class 4A quarterfinal playoff against No. 2 Knoch.

Trailing by three runs twice, No. 7 North rallied both times before landing a knockout punch in the form of a five-run 10th inning in a 13-10 victory at North Allegheny High School.

The Trojanettes (14-5) will make their first-ever appearance in the district semifinals Thursday against Blackhawk, a 3-1 winner over Laurel Highlands, at a site and time to be determined.

“These girls train together, they fight together, and they never quit,” Brown said.

Junior Kennedy Brown is one of five juniors on North’s roster. While her day in the circle did not go as planned — being relieved in the fourth inning — it’s hard to imagine a better day at the plate.

Kennedy was 5-for-6 with six RBIs, including a grand slam in the top of the fourth inning that gave North a 5-3 lead.

North Catholic’s Dakota Hicks (21) hits the ball against Knoch in a WPIAL Class 4A softball quarterfinal Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at North Allegheny High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

“That was my first home run of the season, and I’m glad it came in a big game,” said Kennedy, who joined Mary Kotwica and Dakota Hicks in driving in a run with a base hit in the top of the 10th.

Knoch led 3-0 after three innings, highlighted by Emersyn Jones’ rocket shot over the fence in left field in the first inning and Marlee Fraser’s solo homer in the third.

Kennedy gave way to Clare Kotwica in the midst of Knoch’s five-run fourth frame, which saw the Knights (16-3) retake the lead, 8-5.

“I was getting a little gassed out there, but I knew Clare would come in and have my back,” Kennedy said.

It’s the second straight game Clare Kotwica earned the win in relief. She did the job in a first-round victory over West Mifflin, also in 10 innings.

Six of Knoch’s 13 hits went for extra bases. Alena Tekely had three hits with a double and triple to lead the way.

The Knights have three pitchers who saw considerable innings this season, but coach Chris Gardner was not planning on seeing all of them work Tuesday.

Kaila Purcell started and went into the seventh inning, when North plated three runs to tie the game, the last two coming on a two-run single by Addy Gray.

Jones came on in relief and was the pitcher of record. She was spelled by Fraser four batters into the top of the 10th with North leading 10-8.

It marks the second straight season Knoch earned a first-round bye before losing its first playoff game.

“This year’s seniors were 39-5 in section play over four years,” Gardner said. “It was a great season, but we need to figure out how to get over the hump in the playoffs.”

North Catholic 000 500 300 5 — 13 15 2

Knoch 111 500 000 2 — 10 13 2

WP: Clare Kotwica 6.1 IP (2K, 1 BB)

LP: Emersyn Jones 3.1 IP (4K, 3BB)

North Catholic: Mary Kotwica 2-1B 4R 2RBIs, Kennedy Brown 3-1B 2B HR 3R 6RBIs, Addy Gray 2-1B 2RBIs, Eva Rocha 2-1B R

Knoch: Lizzie Danik 1B R 2RBIs, Lindsey Wise 1B 2B R 2RBIs, Emersyn Jones HR, Alena Tekely 1B 2B 3B R 2RBIs, Marlee Fraser 2B HR 2R 2RBIs, McKenna Jones 2-1B 2R

Thursday: North Catholic vs. Blackhawk, WPIAL Class 4A semifinal, TBD

Editor’s note: This story was updated at 10:05 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, 2025, to state Kennedy Brown is one of five juniors on the roster.

North Catholic’s Dakota Hicks (21) hits the ball against Knoch in a WPIAL Class 4A softball quarterfinal Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at North Allegheny High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Knoch’s Emersyn Jones (28) celebrates the first home run of the game against North Catholic with her teammates in a WPIAL Class 4A softball quarterfinal Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at North Allegheny High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Knoch’s Alena Tekely (13) celebrates after a teammate scores a run against North Catholic in a WPIAL Class 4A softball quarterfinal Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at North Allegheny High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Knoch’s Olyvian Foster (8) catches a hit by North Catholic in a WPIAL Class 4A softball quarterfinal Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at North Allegheny High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Knoch’s Kaila Purcell (21) hits the ball against North Catholic in a WPIAL Class 4A softball quarterfinal Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at North Allegheny High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

North Catholic’s Julia Lehman (12) catches a hit by Knoch in a WPIAL Class 4A softball quarterfinal Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at North Allegheny High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

North Catholic’s Kennedy Brown (3) celebrates hitting a home run with her teammates against Knoch in a WPIAL Class 4A softball quarterfinal Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at North Allegheny High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Knoch’s Marlee Fraser (5) slides into home plate to score a run against North Catholic in a WPIAL Class 4A softball quarterfinal Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at North Allegheny High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

North Catholic’s Kennedy Brown (3) slides into third base against Knoch in a WPIAL Class 4A softball quarterfinal Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at North Allegheny High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

North Catholic’s Kennedy Brown (3), left, and Julia Lehman (12) embrace as they celebrate a 13-10 win in extra innings against Knoch in a WPIAL Class 4A softball quarterfinal Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at North Allegheny High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw