After a tough 4-3 loss to their heated rivals, the North Allegheny softball team found itself about to fall to 3-7 overall and 3-4 in Section 3-AAAA play.

The Tigers would find out their top two pitchers would sustain injuries that would keep both off the mound for extended periods of time.

So how did that game become the turning point for a team that would end up tied for the section championship and, heading into this week's WPIAL playoffs, ride a wave of momentum that makes it one of the hottest teams in Class AAAA?

"You could say that was a turnaround point for them," Tigers coach Joe Pereira said of his players, who overcame a 3-0 deficit April 10 against North Hills to force extra innings, only to lose. "We had some major injuries and we had to make some pretty big changes ... but from then on, it's worked pretty good."

Pretty good, indeed. NA had won eight of nine heading into a scheduled non-section game against Ambridge Thursday. The Tigers, whose early-season record admittedly was affected by some stiff competition, won at least a share of a section title for the fourth time in the past five seasons.

"I feel really good because we started off pretty [poorly]," junior first baseman Sarah Moore said. "But we all got together and we became a much better team. We're playing a lot better now then before.

"We're all one team now. We're not separate anymore."

The team became galvanized after that fateful North Hills game, one that threatened to sink North Allegheny's season. That's when Amber Steenbeke injured her right (pitching) elbow and was lost for the season. Just a sophomore, she was the Tigers' primary pitcher.

That, combined with a troublesome back that has bothered junior Julie Heinl meant NA was without its top two pitchers.

But in came sophomore Deanna Tritinger to the rescue. Tritinger, who began the season as North Allegheny's junior varsity pitcher, was called to duty for the varsity team and has performed as well as could be expected.

"She's come in and done really well," Moore said. "She's gotten some key wins and done what she's had to do to help us win."

"She's been a stabilizing force," Pereira said. "She's done really well coming up from JV and pitching that way."

Also injured during that North Hills game last month was junior outfielder Jane Minor, who was named to the all-section team last season. Pereira said an upper quadriceps injury has limited her to spot duty.

Additionally, partially because of injuries, the coaching staff did some juggling with its lineup, particularly the infield. Down the stretch, the starting infield has been: Moore, second baseman Christy Cotter, shortstop Mary DeMino and third baseman Stephanie Cassidy.

"We've had to do some creative substitutions and coaching as the season has gone on, but the girls are really coming together and really enjoying playing right now," Pereira said. "Their confidence is building in what they have."

The Tigers were part of a four-way logjam atop Section 3-AAAA with Shaler, Seneca Valley and North Hills.

"We all felt all four of us deserved to be in the playoffs," Pereira said, "with our section being one of the toughest ones out there. We're just so much looking forward to the next game."

The WPIAL was to announce playoff pairings this past Friday.

Despite all the reasons to be optimistic with his team and how it's playing, Pereira took the diplomatic, coach-speak route when asked about his team's chances. Then again, playing them one game at a time has allowed NA to qualify for the postseason

The Tigers are looking to play in a WPIAL title game for the third time in five seasons.

"We think we can beat anyone we want to," Moore said. "I think we can do it. We're playing the best we've ever played."