Penn-Trafford softball cools off Franklin Regional in 1st-place showdown

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Monday, April 14, 2025 | 8:51 PM

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Pitcher Allyson Paulone wasn’t overpowering, but she didn’t have to be. She didn’t get too excited or nervous because, well, that just isn’t her style.

The even-keeled Penn-Trafford sophomore trusted her defense to make plays and the offense to keep hitting Monday in a first-place softball matchup in Murrysville.

It all worked out in the top-ranked Warriors’ favor.

Paulone was efficient in a two-hitter, the defense was nearly flawless and senior Cam Ponko mashed another home run and drove in four runs in a 9-2 victory over No. 4 Franklin Regional in Section 2-5A.

The Warriors (8-1, 5-0), who have won eight in a row, had 12 hits to aid Paulone, who struck out six and walked four. She produced seven flyouts and seven groundouts, using a drop-ball, curve and changeup to thwart the Panthers (8-3, 5-1), who cooled off and saw a seven-game winning streak end.

“I try to treat every game the same and not make it bigger than another,” Paulone said. “I did my job, and everyone else did their job and it worked out.”

Ponko had three hits, including a three-run blast and an RBI double, senior Giuliana Youngo added three hits and two RBIs, senior Bella Rubbe had two RBIs and junior Mackenzie Cox doubled and knocked in a run.

“We’ve had some epic games here. You can’t rest when up get up here,” Penn-Trafford coach Denny Little said. “Franklin is a very good team. We got a lot of donations from a lot of kids that can hit. Allyson hits her spots. She pitched fantastic.”

Franklin Regional fell a half-game behind the Warriors in the standings after a humdrum afternoon. It managed a leadoff infield single by senior Ciara Camacho but didn’t get another hit until sophomore Ava Rhoten singled to center after a 13-pitch at-bat in the sixth.

“P-T is a great team,” Panthers coach Jim Armstrong said. “They are senior-laden, and they can hit. We didn’t play defense well enough today. I thought we’d come out better.”

The Panthers used two young pitchers in sophomore Madison Hill and freshman Mia Martz.

Penn-Trafford didn’t intentionally walk Panthers star shortstop Toryn Fulton, but the South Florida-bound senior did walk all three times she stepped into the box.

“I had nightmares about Toryn last night,” Little said. “We didn’t (walk her intentionally), but we danced around her a little bit. We knew we’re going to see her again.”

Said Paulone when asked about facing the 6-foot Fulton: “She’s so tall.”

Fulton stole second and third in the third inning but was left stranded twice before finally scoring late in the game.

Camacho, a Kent State commit, had three groundouts and a strikeout.

It was a 1-1 game after the first.

Rubbe had an RBI single to open the scoring, but Camacho, who stole second and third, scored on a wild pitch to tie it 1-1.

Cox ripped a double to left to follow a single from junior Ella Mains and give the Warriors a 2-1 edge.

“Mack’s double got us going,” Little said.

Ponko, an IUP commit, led off the third with a single, and Rubbe followed with one of her own. An error in right let Ponko score the third run.

Youngo’s single to center scored sophomore courtesy runner Annabell Carvajal for a 4-1 lead.

The Warriors put their foot down in the fourth. Cox singled, senior Rilie Moors reached on an error and senior Lorryn Sepe dropped a sacrifice bunt.

With two on, Ponko smashed an offering over the fence in right-center to make it 7-1.

“That home run was a killer,” Armstrong said. “I saw Ponko come up, and I wanted to put her on. But I only got the words put her … before she hit it.”

The Warriors’ No. 3, 4 and 5 hitters — Ponko, Rubbe and Youngo — were a combined 8 for 11 with eight RBIs.

“Our girls are locked in,” Little said. “We have hitters.”

Two more runs scored in the sixth thanks to an RBI double by Ponko and a run-scoring groundout from Youngo.

Fulton walked to open the sixth, then stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch.

She scored on a groundout by junior Adrianna Martz and it was 9-2.

“Camacho and Fulton, those two freaks are a tall order,” Little said, “in a good way.”

Franklin Regional left runners in scoring position in the first, third and fifth innings.

“Me and (catcher) Mack (Cox) have a great bond,” Paulone said. “We sit together at lunch. We’re all clicking well and we have the same goals in mind.”

Senior Kylie Anthony also had a double for the Warriors.

Youngo caught four flyouts in right, including a diving grab in the third on a sinking liner off Camacho’s bat.

“G caught everything,” Paulone said. “Our defense was solid.”

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

Tags: Franklin Regional, Penn-Trafford