Norwin made a statement early this season that it could challenge for the Section 1-AAAA title when it defeated Hempfield for the first time in nearly two decades.

On Saturday, the Knights vaulted themselves into conversations about WPIAL championship contenders with an 8-7 victory over defending WPIAL Class AAAA champion Latrobe.

Freshman Maddy Wensel tripled and, when the throw to third caromed off her back and into the dugout, she was awarded home plate to score the winning run.

“That's why we go over the dead-ball rules before the game, but, no I never saw a game end like that,” Norwin coach Andy Phipps said. “That was exciting. Really exciting.”

Norwin (8-1, 5-0) is in first place at the season's midpoint, a position it is unaccustomed to. The Knights have not qualified for the WPIAL playoffs since 2001, when there were only three classifications and they tied Latrobe for second place in Section 1.

“This is a turning point in our program,” Phipps said. “Since the day we beat Hempfield, we wanted to prove that we were right up there with the big dogs, (and to do that) we've got to go out and beat Latrobe, and it showed a lot of heart from the girls because we got down in the game and we battled back.”

Trailing 7-6 in the bottom of the eighth, Nikki Ingel led off with a triple to center field off Latrobe starter Shelby Noel. After a fly ball to center by Cassidy Chappell, Ingel scored when the throw to the infield went awry. That set the stage for Wensel, who also tripled to center field and scored after just beating the play at third.

“I was very nervous because I didn't even think I was going to make it to third and then to get up and see that, I cannot even describe that,” Wensel said. “It was amazing.”

Norwin had trailed, 4-0, and did not have its first hit until the bottom of the third. The Knights chipped away at the Latrobe lead until, trailing 6-4 in the bottom of the seventh, Chappell doubled, Wensel singled, and Abbey Zorzi walked to load the bases.

Norwin, however, could not come up with a game-winning hit. The Knights instead managed fielders' choices that turned into two runs and sent the game into extra innings.

The Knights hope to ride the momentum from the victories over Latrobe and Hempfield down the stretch.

“I truly believe that the girls are starting to really believe in themselves,” Phipps said. “With the confidence they have now ... the character that the girls showed me is tremendous.”

Keith Barnes is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at kbarnes@tribweb.com or 412-664-9161 Ext. 1977.

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