Before the start of the regular season, Catasauqua head softball coach Bobby Thomas had a good feeling about his club. It was a feeling that generated plenty of thoughts of his team contending and possibly winning the Colonial League crown.

Thomas had a club that was rich with seniors and juniors, many of them who have made significant contributions since their freshman seasons, and a crop of rapidly growing freshman, a handful that could make an immediate impact.

Recently, Thomas' feeling became a reality when his club won its first league crown in 32 years after they made their initial appearance in the four-team postseason bracket. The Roughies (17-5) blanked defending champion Pen Argyl, 6-0, behind Alexi Ayache's four-hitter at Allentown's Patriots Park May 16. Two days earlier, they routed Palmerton, 15-4, in a five-inning shortened game due to the 10-run rule.

Ayache, who has been a dynamic duo with fellow pitcher Kortney Kunkle, raised her overall record to 13-1 on the season.

As a result, they secured the top seed in the PIAA District 11 Class 2A playoffs and drew an opening-round bye. They will meet the winner of the opening round game between Notre Dame and North Schuylkill May 28 at Parkland High School.

Until then, there is plenty of time to cherish the moment.

"It was a great feeling," said Thomas. "We appreciate everything that comes with it and we are taking advantage of the time to celebrate it. We coaches had a good feeling and idea on what this club could possibly do this season.

"We had a great group of upperclassmen who were back and had played as freshmen and a tremendous freshman class with people like Hannah Edwards and Olivia Schlofer. Everything jelled for us at the right time. We had a rough spell, but we really hit the ball well the whole season. We also had two pitchers who we felt very comfortable with, and we had depth for the first time in while."

Senior Paige Kogelman, who gained a starting spot as a freshman, was among of group of returnees who was prepared for a title run. When the club beat Pen Argyl, 3-2 on April 30, Kogelman believed they were destined for the title. The Roughies lost to Pen Argyl, 5-2 in their first meeting April 3.

"When we beat them (Pen Argyl), we all knew we could do this," said Kogelman. "That win was a huge confidence booster for us. We knew we were one of the better teams around and we have really come together as a unit."

Junior Janae Matos, who also was a freshman sensation, as ecstatic for herself, her teammates, and her coach.

"We knew we could do this," she said. "We had some seasons where we came up short, but this is very rewarding. A number of us have played for coach Thomas for so long, and we were really happy we could give this to him. We just seem to get better as they season went along and we won some big games like beating Pen Argyl and Bangor."

Edwards saw it as a final stage of a Cinderella year for her that began with a successful field hockey run. She credited her transition to playing on a Philadelphia-based traveling softball team.

"It has been a good year for me and everyone," said Edwards. "Playing as a freshman wasn't too bad for me because I play on a very competitive travel team. That really helped me. But I know we can take this even farther."

The lone drawback, if any, is the wait until the semifinal game May 28.

"We would rather keep playing, but we do have the number one seed," said Kogelman. "We don't want to lose our momentum, but we have the confidence of being the top seed. We'll be ready to go for the next round."