Penn-Trafford playoff run fueled by super senior class

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Tuesday, June 3, 2025 | 5:24 PM

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Bella Rubbe gets her quality at-bats, and Rilie Moors consistently puts the ball in play.

Cam Ponko pounds the softball out of the park, Giuliana Youngo makes highlight catches in right field and Kylie Anthony cleans up at shortstop.

Jadyn Pellis is always ready to come out of the bullpen, and Lorryn Sepe is an unquestioned leader in center.

Penn-Trafford softball has seven seniors, and each has made contributions to a postseason run that has reached the PIAA Class 5A quarterfinals.

The WPIAL runner-up Warriors (21-3) will take on Red Land (20-3) at 2 p.m. Thursday at Iron Horse Complex in Windber for a spot in the state semis.

Red Land, the District 3 champion, is in the state playoffs for the first time.

Hempfield (22-1) plays Chambersburg (19-5) at 4 at the same site in the 6A quarterfinals as part of a doubleheader.

Penn-Trafford is chasing its second state title since 2019. Like that team, senior leadership is a staple in a potent lineup this season.

“We’re all so close on and off the field,” said Moors, a Seton Hill commit. “We’re like family.”

Rubbe, an IUP commit, and Pellis are the noisemakers, the loudest voices in the dugout.

“Bella and Jadyn turn cups into microphones,” Moors said.

Said Rubbe: “We pick each other up.”

Comparisons have been made to the ‘19 team because of shuffling of positions. For instance, Anthony and Liz Welsh moved from the outfield to shortstop and first base, respectively, to tighten the defense.

In ‘19, Morgan Nedley made a similar move, going from outfielder to shortstop.

Coach Denny Little, in his ninth season leading the team, keeps the girls focused and fundamentally sharp, without a my-way-or-the-highway mentality.

“We play better when we’re loose,” Moors said.

Moors (left), Sepe (center) and Youngo (right) are quite the outfield. Warriors fans still are talking about the game-saving highlight-reel catch Youngo made against Chartiers Valley in the WPIAL semifinals.

Little acknowledged the seniors’ knack for knowing their roles.

“This group of seniors are comprised of every ingredient needed for an extremely successful team,” he said. “You want talent? They have it. You want grit? It’s there. Leadership? Oh yeah, they are leaders.”

The seniors have played in 19 postseason games in their careers and have won 13.

“They are one of the most coachable and goal-driven groups I have come across,” Little said. “They have two WPIAL silver medals and were third in the state their freshmen year. It wouldn’t surprise me if they ended up with one more medal before they leave Penn-Trafford, and, for their sake, I hope it’s gold.”

Third baseman Ponko, an IUP commit, is the offensive engine. She is hitting .484 with eight home runs, 34 RBIs and 33 runs.

Rubbe bats .431 with three homers and 23 RBIs, Youngo bats .418 with six doubles and 23 RBIs and Moors has a .403 average with eight doubles and 28 runs. Anthony (Westminster) has 17 runs and Sepe 22 to go with 22 RBIs.

In 17 2/3 innings as a backup to sophomore Allyson Paulone, Pellis is 2-0 with a 1.98 ERA and a save.

Little has Penn-Trafford’s batters showing more patience at the plate while shortening their swings to initiate contact.

In Monday’s 3-2 win at Central Mountain, the Warriors did not strike out.

“We can take a different approach and make adjustments when we need to,” Rubbe said.

Assistant coach Mike Cleland said the seniors picked a morning practice time Tuesday so they could get sun tans later in the day.

“They wanted to hit,” Cleland said. “They wanted to be here. One of the girls said she wasn’t happy with her last game and wanted to (practice). That’s how this group is.”

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Penn-Trafford