JEFFERSON TWP — This wasn’t the same Indiana team the Knoch softball team throttled in early April.

This Indians’ team had won three in a row and four out of the last five. This Indians’ team had a freshman pitcher who took her lumps early in the season, but has grown from it.

“I just told the girls, ‘We got to her up in Indiana. She got to you today,’” said Knoch coach Tim Knappenberger.

This Indians’ team beat Knoch on a sun-drenched Tuesday at Laura Doerr Park, 4-3.

The last time these two teams met on a frigid day April 5, Knoch won 17-2 in three innings.

“It was just early in the year and she was young,” said Indiana coach Harold Wilson of his pitcher. “She has some experience now. That’s what it came down to.”

Smith kept Knoch’s potent lineup guessing with a sneaky fastball that she ran in on right-handed hitters and a changeup that got the Knights’ batters out on their front foot.

Smith struck out three, walked one and hit two batters in seven innings of work.

“She kept our girls off-balance, and that’s the No. 1 job of a pitcher,” Knappenberger said. “Kudos to her. She was the star of the game as far as I’m concerned.”

Indiana (6-5, 3-5) scored two runs in the top of the first inning on back-to-back RBI hits by Smith and Sara Freehling. The Indians tacked on another run in the top of the second inning on a RBI groundout by Jayci Drew.

Knoch (7-7, 3-5) battled back with two runs in the bottom of the second inning, the big blow coming from Bethany Hay, who roped a RBI double.

The Knights then tied the score at 3-3 in the bottom of the fourth with an unearned run.

Knoch, though, left eight runners on base in the game as Smith was adept at getting quick outs to start innings.

“You better believe that was important,” Wilson said. “You get those first two outs, it’s a whole lot easier to pitch.”

Indiana got the go-ahead run in the top of the fifth. Kaityn Palmer hit a double that one-hopped the left-field fence and then scored on a single by Smith.

The outcome further muddled the WPIAL Section-5 playoff race.

Indiana and Knoch are 3-5 in the section. Hampton, who the Knights play Thursday, Highlands and Kittanning are all 4-4. All are chasing Mars, which is 6-2.

Indiana is the only team in the section with a winning overall record.

“It’s been a season of peaks and valleys,” Knappenberger said. “It’s been a roller coaster.”

Indiana 210 010 0 — 4 9 3

Knoch 020 100 0 — 3 7 0

W: Adrian Smith 7IP (3K, 1BB). L: Codi Reed 7IP (2K, 1BB).

Indiana (6-5, 3-5): Jayci Drew 1B RBI, Katlyn Palmer 2B, Smith 2-1B 2-RBI, Sara Freehling 2B 1B RBI, Logan Everett 1B, Dana Piper 1B, Brianna Dillon 1B

Knoch (7-7, 3-5): Bethany Hay 2B 1B RBI, Abbi Smithmyer 1B, Karsan Simpson 1B, Reed 1B, Abbie Thrower 1B, Chandler Krelow 1B

Thursday: Knoch at Hampton