Vincentian Academy softball coach Pete Scanga knew what to expect when the Royals faced District 9 champion Curwensville in the semifinals of the PIAA Class A playoffs Monday at Slippery Rock University.

"We played Curwensville in the quarterfinals in 2007," said Scanga, recalling a 7-1 loss. "Curwensville had a very young team that year, but still went on to win the PIAA title. I looked back at the scorebook and saw that team had only a few seniors. Most of their starters were either sophomores or freshmen."

Curwensville returned as the PIAA favorite last year, but was upset by Cambridge Springs in the first round of the PIAA playoffs. Vincentian beat Cambridge Springs in the quarterfinals and went on to win the PIAA title.

"I knew what we were up against," said Scanga after Vincentian dropped a 4-0 decision to Curwensville, thus ending the Royals season. "I looked at Curwensville's roster and counted nine seniors. I'm sure that group of kids grew up playing together. I would be very surprised if [Curwensville] lost in the championship game."

Curwensville takes a 20-0 record into tomorrow's PIAA title game against District 2 champion Old Forge (18-3).

"It's obviously disappointing to come this far and lose, but I'm still very pleased with the performance turned in by my girls this season," Scanga said. "We finished 22-3 with a team that had only two seniors."

Vincentian came into the season with hopes of retaining the WPIAL and PIAA titles it won last year, but Scanga knew that would be a tall task after losing four key starters to graduation.

"I moved all but one of my returning starters to a different position and inserted four underclassmen into the starting lineup," Scanga said. "I didn't know what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised."

Vincentian earned its postseason berth by winning the Section 3-A title with a 12-0 record. The Royals were seeded No. 1 in the 15-team WPIAL Class A bracket and drew a first-round bye. The Royals earned a fourth consecutive trip to the WPIAL title game with shutouts of No. 8 Chartiers-Houston, 7-0, in the quarterfinals, and No. 4 Carmichaels, 5-0, in the semifinals.

That set up a rematch with Avonworth, a team the Royals defeated twice during section play. Vincentian made it a clean sweep in the title game with a 3-1 victory.

"Winning the WPIAL title meant so much, because we are so much different than last year," Scanga said. "This team saw last year's team win it all and they want to do the same thing."

Vincentian opened the PIAA playoffs with a 3-2, eight-inning victory against District 10 runner-up Cochranton. The Royals advanced to the semifinals with a 7-3 win against District 6 runner-up Northern Cambria.

Curwensville began its PIAA playoff run with a 3-0 win against WPIAL third-place finisher Leechburg, then defeated District 10 champion Union City, 9-3, in the quarterfinals.

"We just couldn't hit Curwensville's pitcher," Scanga said. "The same thing happened in 2007."

Senior Holly Lansberry threw a three-hit shutout, striking out eight.

Curwensville jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first inning with the help of a solo home run by shortstop Shannon McDonald. Molly Demchak, Tess Bloom and Sarah Clark also had RBIs in the game.

Vincentian pitcher Nina Melvin allowed eight hits.

"Nina was our catcher the last two seasons," Scanga said. "She replaced her sister, Trish, who is now playing at Brown University. This is my fourth year as coach and I've had a Melvin on the mound all four years. Their older sister, Casey, was our pitcher during my first year. The transition from catcher to pitcher was very smooth for Nina. Her years behind the plate helped a lot."

Nina Melvin was joined in the starting lineup this season by younger sister, Bridget, who filled a void at first base for the Royals.

"Bridget is one of two freshmen we inserted into the starting lineup this year," said Scanga, also referring to second baseman Ashley Darby. "Both did a fantastic job for us. In fact, Ashley became our No. 3 hitter midway through the season."

Scanga will have three Melvin's in his lineup next season, as sister Danielle will be a freshman.

"Danielle is the last of the Melvin sisters," Scanga said. "I'm not sure where she will be playing yet, but I'm sure Danielle will be in the starting lineup."

Vincentian has made four consecutive appearances in the WPIAL final under Scanga. The Royals hope to continue that streak and claim a third consecutive WPIAL title next season.

"We have two seniors," said Scanga, referring to catcher Nicole Lindner and left fielder Ashlyn Mallison. "Nicole will be the toughest to replace. She took over as our catcher this year and quickly became one of the best in the WPIAL. It will be tough to replace her."