No. 1 Penn-Trafford fends off challenge from scrappy Moon in Class 5A 1st round

By: Paul Schofield
Monday, May 12, 2025 | 10:05 PM

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Sometimes the littlest play turns out to be the play of the game.

Penn-Trafford junior catcher Mackenzie Cox made three such plays Monday in the WPIAL Class 5A first-round game at West Mifflin.

Cox laid down a perfectly executed squeeze bunt that ignited a four-run second inning and then made two defensive gems to lead the No. 1-seeded Warriors to a hard-fought 5-3 victory against No. 16 Moon on Monday at West Mifflin.

The victory pits the Warriors (18-2) against No. 9 Chartiers Valley in the quarterfinals at a date, time and place to be determined. The Colts defeated No. 8 Plum, 2-1, in the first round Monday. Moon ended the season 8-10.

West Mifflin has not been kind to Penn-Trafford in the past few seasons. The Warriors edged Bethel Park, 3-2, in the opening round in 2024.

“It is never easy, especially here,” Penn-Trafford coach Denny Little said. “It’s tough for us to win here.”

Moon, which won two games in 2024, improved to eight wins this season.

The Tigers took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Cam Chambers doubled, and courtesy runner Delainey Lee scored when Macy Trost singled off shortstop Kylie Anthony’s glove.

“That’s the top team in 5A right there, and I am proud of my team for sure,” Moon coach Luke Russell said. “I don’t think we gave up an extra-base hit to them, and that was one of our goals. And I feel our freshman pitcher did a nice job. Our future is bright for sure.”

The bottom of the order got things started for the Warriors in the bottom of the second inning. Ella Mains and Liz Welsh slapped singles to right field with one out. Mains ended up at third and scored on Cox’s squeeze to tie the score.

Rilie Moors, who went three-for-four, beat out an infield single to load the bases, and Lorryn Sepe fouled off numerous two-strike pitches before she singled to center to score Welsh and courtesy runner Jadyn Pellis. Moors scored when Bella Rubbe reached on an error.

“I knew that it was important to get the bunt down because Elle was on base,” Cox said. “I focused on keeping my eye on the ball and getting it down.”

Moon struck back in the top of the third inning. Flex player Danica Bacu scored on Trost’s single, and Abby McMahon singled home Syd Ray. But Sepe, the Warriors center fielder, uncorked a strong throw. Cox went up the third-base line to grab it and lunged to tag out Trost, who was trying to tie the score.

After the third inning, Penn-Trafford sophomore pitcher Allyson Paulone settled down. She allowed a lead-off single to opposing pitcher Katie DeMarco, but Cox gunned down the speedster trying to steal second base. She essentially retired the last 12 batters in a row.

“We settled down as a team, but our bats too,” Little said. “We have got some work to do. I am glad to get the first one.

“You can never underestimate an opponent. I mean, we knew coming in that they were going to give us a battle. Allyson just kept battling.”

Paulone allowed five hits, struck out four and walked two. The two runs in the third inning were unearned.

“Allyson did a good job keeping herself in the game,” Cox said. “We did not get a couple close calls early, but she fought.”

Penn-Trafford tacked on a fifth run in the fourth inning when Moors singled, stole second and third and scored on a sacrifice fly by Cam Ponko. Moors swiped three bases.

Demarco allowed nine hits, struck out seven and walked two.

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Moon, Penn-Trafford