As a senior, Erika Lebron has dealt with the cold reality that her high school softball career could come to an end in the near future.

But Lebron isn't ready to conceive that fact yet. Her team recently clinched a PIAA District 11 playoff berth and the Roughies are also still in the running for the Colonial League North Division with Pen Argyl, who they trailed by a game when the week began.

In fact, Catty (8-4 overall, 4-2 league) was scheduled to meet Pen Argyl (10-1, 5-1) Tuesday afternoon in a first-place showdown. Even though her team recently endured a rough stretch, Lebron remained confident she and her teammates can bring their game to a climax in the postseason.

Catty was briefly mired in a three-game tailspin after they posted an impressive six-game winning streak.

"We had a bad streak last week when we lost to Saucon (Valley), Palmerton, and Notre Dame," said the outfielder/ first baseman. "But we feel and our defense is coming together and we have always hit the ball well. We just had those bad games in which we didn't hit and that will happen from time to time.

"But we have clinched districts and we believe we can still make a run at the league. None of us want our season to end too early. We feel we have a great shot at making states."

Lebron believes her team can extend their spring with their consistent hitting and pitching.

"We're very confident about our offense, and we have two very good pitchers," said Lebron. 'Our hitting can always keep us in games. We have been better defensively this year, and we hope we can rely on defense on days when we don't hit that well."

Head coach Bobby Thomas knows her can rely on the steady contributions from his optimistic and reliable senior.

"Erika (Lebron) has been in the program for while, and she can go out and take charge of a situation," said Thomas. "She has been one of our most consistent players over the years and her experience will help us down the stretch. She does many good things to help us."

Lebron, who began her softball career in first grade, plans to possibly continue it as a walk-on at Bloomsburg University next fall where she'll begin studies toward a career in either exercise science or physical therapy. She has also been a member of the Roughies' field hockey program since seventh grade as well as Varsity C, student council, and the school newspaper, an outlet in which she enjoys writing about sports."

It is sports that have made her world revolve. For Lebron, it is all about what she can give back.

"I really enjoy playing sports and being involved," she said. "I would like to be a trainer or physical therapist someday. I just want to do whatever I can to help my team and I don't worry about any personal goals.

"Right now, I just want to help us get as far as we can."

With Lebron playing a major part, the Roughies could take the long way back home.