Three adjectives, all superlatives. Hyperbole? Perhaps. But it's hard to argue with Ellwood City senior pitcher Katelyn Yoho when she calls the PIAA quarterfinal game her team played against Susquehannock last week "one of the best games I've been a part of ... one of the longest games I've played in" and "one of the toughest games I've pitched."

Best, longest, toughest. Add one more adjective for Yoho and the Wolverines: Heartbreaking.

In searing heat, Ellwood City played a marathon 18-inning affair with a PIAA Class AAA semifinal berth on the line before losing, 2-1, last Friday.

Yet as disappointed as the Wolverines were after the defeat that abruptly ended their season, they weren't about to let it put a damper on such a historic campaign.

"They're all a little disappointed that the season is done, but they've stayed in good spirits," Ellwood City coach Gary Rozanski said. "We are WPIAL champions for the first time in school history and the first time in Lawrence County history [for any school to win a softball championship]. Those were our goals; whatever we did in states was extra.

"They got a timely hit and we didn't. It was a great game, 17 innings back and forth. I told [the players] there's nothing to be ashamed of. We walked out with our heads up. There's so much more to be proud of. It was a great season. We had 20 wins, which is more than any in school history. There were lots of firsts."

The Wolverines finished 20-2, won the Section 1-AAA title and the WPIAL Class AAA title, defeating Belle Vernon in the championship game May 29. It was the Leopards who ended Ellwood City's season last year by shocking the Wolverines in their first playoff game after an undefeated regular season.

The PIAA quarterfinal loss will be a mere footnote when history recalls the 2008 Ellwood City softball season. The WPIAL title will be what is remembered.

"For the team, that meant everything," said Yoho who went 20-2 this season. "Especially for us seniors. We got revenge on Belle Vernon. It meant a whole lot to us to win this in our final year."

Six seniors were part of the ride, one in which Rozanski credited a team-first mentality and exemplary team chemistry for all the success.

Yoho, second baseman Becca Blyth, center fielder Sara Falotico, first baseman Lindsey Scialdone and shortstop Ciera Damon each were four-year starters, and Mary Maine contributed as needed as a reserve outfielder and courtesy runner.

"It's just a great group of girls. They've worked hard since their freshman year," Rozanski said. "They were able to experience the WPIAL finals [losing as freshmen]. We had three seniors, and then they just kept the tradition going. It's sad they are leaving but it's great to see they're moving onto the next level."

All five senior starters are expected to play in college. Damon and Falotico at Pitt, Scialdone at Penn State Beaver, Yoho at Slippery Rock and Rozanski said he believed Blyth was going to play at Carlow College.

"These seniors set the new landmark we have to reach," said Rozanski, who completed his third season as coach. "They showed a lot of things to the younger girls about how to work and how to play."

As difficult as it will be to replace the seniors, Rozanski refuses to use the "r-word" (rebuilding). Seven players return from this season's team, and he said the Wolverines have a strong crop of seventh and eighth graders poised to step in.

Ellwood City also will have what appears to be the added benefit of moving "down" in classification. The Wolverines will compete in Class AA next season.

But as they showed this season with so many four-year starters, nothing can replace experience.

"We'll be competitive," Rozanski said. "It's just a matter of experience. In a couple years, I think we'll be able to do it."

Everything will be there except the experience.

"They'll be missing a big chunk of the team," Yoho said. "But they just have to work hard, and if they do that, they'll deserve whatever success they get."