Competition in Section 1-AAAA is heating up among Westmoreland County softball teams, and Norwin is right in the thick of the playoff chase.

The Lady Knights (3-4) split two games with section foe Connellsville (5-3) during the past week -- a 2-0 loss on Thursday and a 1-0 win Monday -- to pull within one game of second place.

Latrobe (5-0) leads the section as the teams near the halfway point, followed by Connellsville, Hempfield Area (4-3), Albert Gallatin (3-4), Norwin and Penn-Trafford (0-6).

"It's probably going to come down to Connellsville and ourselves for that last playoff spot," Norwin coach Marc Boban said of the section rival. "If we want to make the playoffs, we have to beat them and win the games we're supposed to win."

Norwin also has captured victories over Penn-Trafford and Albert Gallatin this season.

Monday's win over Connellsville was a big boost for the Lady Knights, especially after the Lady Falcons left a bad taste in the Norwin players' mouths last week.

"We put more balls in play, but, more importantly, we did a great job of working the count and making her throw a lot of pitches," Boban said of the second game. "We played excellent defense, and Courtney (Morton) pitched great."

Norwin got its run in the top of the first inning as senior third baseman Jessica Guzewicz led off with a double and scored on a bunt by senior Bree Acalotto. Guzewicz added a single later in the game, and junior Alex Miklos smacked a single and double in the win.

Junior hurler Courtney Morton allowed just six hits en route to the shutout win.

"She was very effective, especially her changeup. She also got out of two jams during the game by throwing strikes when she needed them. She has stepped up and has pitched great five straight games now," the coach said.

"The girls are confident behind her. She is the reason we are winning, because we continue to struggle to hit the ball."

Connellsville threatened to get on the board when Alena Dragovich tripled.

"We figured that Connellsville would try and bunt the ball and force us into a decision. Guzewicz is an outstanding third baseman, and on the bunt the runner broke on contact. Jess simply made a nice throw home to get her," Boban said.

"She has blossomed into our leader. She has been playing unbelievable defense and is our best hitter. She is very vocal, supports the girls, and her play leads by example."

Norwin would have liked to defeat the Lady Falcons last week also, but pitcher Erica Bartholow and the Connellsville defense kept the Lady Knights' bats quiet.

Connellsville took a 2-0 lead in the top of the fifth inning as it put together a couple of hits up the middle and a blistering single to right.

"They strung some hits together. They had great base running," the Norwin coach said.

"We were throwing outside all day, and their batters started to hit the other way, which is smart hitting. I give them all the credit in the world."

Bartholow held Norwin off the bases for the first four innings until Acalotto led off the bottom of the fifth with a single up the middle. She moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by senior Lisa Gulasy but then was caught rounding the base on the play and was picked off to end the threat.

"We couldn't string any hits together. They played pretty good defense. I thought they really took away our small ball game, our bunting," Boban said. "When you have a good pitcher like that and play good defense, you're pretty hard to beat."

Norwin was unable to get any other rallies going and finished the game with a single hit.

"They just did what they had to do," Boban said. "We didn't beat ourselves, which I'm real happy with."

The Lady Knights were scheduled to travel to Hempfield Area yesterday, Tuesday, but results were unavailable at press time.

Next up for Norwin will be a home test against section foe Penn-Trafford tomorrow, Thursday, at 4 p.m.