SLIPPERY ROCK — Nicole Zimmel wiped her wet cheeks as she walked into the Slippery Rock High softball dugout, sat on the bench and lowered her head into the palms of her hands.

One by one, her teammates rushed to her side. They patted her on the back. They hugged her. They reassured her.

“You hit a line drive,” one teammate said. “You didn't let us down.”

“We're still alive,” said another.

Zimmel had just lined out to the first baseman with two runners on and two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning in a heartwrenching 4-3 loss to Hickory Thursday afternoon.

A win would have all but sewn up a playoff spot for the Rockets — their first postseason trip since 2000.

But it wasn't to be. Hickory rallied for two runs in the top of the seventh inning to wrest away a win and clinch the District 10 Region 5 title.

Slippery Rock coach Elma Anschutz was more pleased to see her team rally around Zimmel than in the way the Rockets have played in the last two-plus weeks.

“We were really hoping to get this one today,” Anschutz said. “But they held together as a team. That's what counts.”

Slippery Rock (7-8, 5-4) can still put itself in a position to make the playoffs should it beat Franklin (7-7, 5-4) in the region finale Tuesday.

Hickory (9-5, 7-1) already has a spot locked up from Region 5. Warren (13-1) and Ft. LeBoeuf (12-2) are slugging it out in Region 6 for the other guaranteed spot. The loser will most likely get one of the remaining three at-large bids into the district's Class AAA playoffs.

That leaves Slippery Rock, Franklin, Harbor Creek (9-5) and Corry (8-7) competing for the final two spots.

Johnstown, also in Region 5, is technically a Class AA team because of a co-op with Greenville.

“I think they are confident enough in their ability that we'll (beat Franklin Tuesday),” Anschutz said. “We'll be fine.”

Slippery Rock looked to be in prime position to make Tuesday's game against Franklin moot.

The Rockets scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning, the big blow coming on a two-run double off the bat of Cassie Vogan.

But Slippery Rock didn't score again despite having a slew of baserunners.

The Rockets left eight runners on base in the game and had two runners gunned down at the plate in the sixth inning.

“We were trying to be aggressive on the bases there,” Anschutz said. “We were trying to make things happen, but we just didn't get it done. Next time, we'll get it.”

Slippery Rock pitcher Stephanie Kotomski was throwing well all game and getting plenty of defensive help behind her.

Hickory did get to her for single runs in the third and fourth innings, but Kotomski then retired the Hornets in order in the fifth and sixth frames.

Things didn't go as smoothly for her or Slippery Rock in the seventh.

Hickory loaded the bases with one out before Chess lined a double into the gap in right-center to drive in two.

Chess, only a freshman, has been one of the clutch hitters for Hickory this season, said Hornets' coach Tony Rock.

“She'll be a candidate for player of the year as a freshman,” Rock said. “She's 5-0 on the mound and she has five or six triples, three home runs. She has confidence.”

Chess got stronger as the game went on and made high-pressure pitches.

Two of her four strikeouts came in the bottom of the seventh with the game on the line.

“That was a big outing for her,” Rock said. “That Slippery Rock program has come a long way. We really needed this one.”

So did Slippery Rock, which would have liked nothing better than to win on senior night.

The Rockets have seven seniors on the roster. None of them have tasted the postseason.

“It was hard. It was pretty emotional for the girls,” Anschutz said. “But they are proud of the fact they stuck together. That's something they've really accomplished this year.”

Hickory 001 100 2 — 4 7 1Slippery Rock 300 000 0 — 3 10 1W: Megan Chess 7IP (4K, 4BB).

L: Stephanie Kotomski 7IP (1K, 1BB).

Hickory (9-5, 7-1): Chess 1B 2B 2-RBI, Chelsea Marriott 1B, Lauren Ferreri 1B, Morgan McBride 2-1B RBI, Madison Collier 1B

Slippery Rock (7-8, 5-4): Jordan McCauley 1B, Katie Myers 2-1B, Marie Bosch 1B, Kalene Ireland 1B 2B, Cassie Vogan 2B 1B 2-RBI, Erica Umstead 1B, Marlee Mauthe 1B

Tuesday: Slippery Rock at Franklin