In the past week, Catasauqua head softball coach Bobby Thomas and his team have raised their expectations for the season.

The fourth-year head coach and his team have every right to do it. Catty has been one of the hottest teams in the Lehigh Valley, and the Roughies already have placed themselves in a solid position for the postseason.

They entered this week as a possible candidate for the Colonial League playoffs as they needed to win both of their remaining league games against Northern Lehigh and Northwestern. The Roughies (12-5 overall, 10-4) has been in a first-place tussle with Pen Argyl (15-3, 12-2) for the Colonial league North title. It could be an added boost as the Roughies have clinched a district playoff berth.

This time around, however, Catty has high aspirations about advancing past the first round of the district playoffs.

"We had one bad week lately, but we have been playing well overall," said Thomas. "It would be great if we still had a shot at (Colonial) league playoffs. But these girls have worked very hard all season and they are looking to be playing for quite some time."

Getting past the first round of districts has been a stumbling block for the Roughies the past three seasons, but Thomas knows his club is on track to make it to the second round.

"Absolutely," he claimed. "All of these girls believe they will get past the first round. It is one of our goals this season. We have a core of them who have been together for a while and they have been on the losing end of district playoff games.

"We have built some momentum this season and we're playing with much more confidence. We have been getting contributions from our veteran and younger players."

One of the younger players who have made a splash this season has been freshman Hannah Edwards, who has been among the team leaders in several offensive categories.

"Hannah (Edwards) has immediately made a contribution to our team," said Thomas. "It didn't take her long to make any adjustments. She has had her share of big hits for us all year."

Thomas also noted the contributions of senior Paige Kogelman and junior Janae Matos, who both have made steady contributions throughout the season. The Roughies have been placed by the one-two pitching punch of junior Kortney Kunkle and sophomore Alexis Ayache.

"Both of our pitchers have rally grown throughout the season," said Thomas. "They both have done a great job. Paige (Kogelman) and Janae (Matos) have been very consistent for us, but we really have a great team chemistry here this season.

"If we can make it to (Colonial League playoffs), it would greatly help us. We think we have a great shot at winning the league and it also keeps us active. We don't want to be sitting around for two weeks to wait for districts to begin.

"We'll see how this week goes and move on from there."