Editor's note: With Tuesday's game rained out, Wednesday's game comes after Catasauqua Press deadlines.

It has been the kind of season for the Catasauqua softball team in which head coach Bobby Thomas doesn't have to cross his fingers or knock on wood to lay any superstitions to rest as his club takes another crucial step in the post season.

In fact, the top-seeded Roughies received an extra day of rest before they met fifth-seeded North Schuylkill in the semifinal round of the PIAA District 11 Class 2A playoff Wednesday afternoon at Parkland High School.

Since they defeated Pen Argyl to capture their first Colonial League crown, Catty has 12 days to rest before they advanced to the district playoffs. With a rainout of their scheduled game Tuesday, their leisure period rose to 13 days. Yet, Thomas and his club haven't felt any pressure or preconceived jinxes this spring.

"We've had plenty of rest and they are ready to go," said Thomas, who was looking to get his club to a second-round district game for the first time in his tenure. "The really have everything in the proper perspective and we didn't foresee any signs of a letdown."

North Schuylkill entered the game off a 4-1 victory over Notre Dame, as they rallied for runs in the top of the seventh for the victory.

"I saw them play and they looked like a very good defensive club," said Thomas. "They reminded us of Pen Argyl. They didn't have many hits, but they made the best of them."

Thomas noted how a late-season win over Pen Argyl gave his club the added momentum it needed for a postseason run.

"When we started playing the southern division part of our schedule, we ran into some problems," recalled Thomas. "We lost a tough 1-0 game to Palmerton and we had Pen Argyl. We came back and beat them in the bottom of the seventh, and that win was a real boost to the girls.

"It really gave them the confidence they needed at the time, and they haven't looked back since then."

On the field, the Roughies have been paced by a series of individual and team performances primarily led by the veteran players on the team as well as a budding group of freshman.

Easily overshadowed has been the performance of sophomore pitcher Alexi Ayache, who pieced together an overall 13-1 record heading into the North Schuylkill game. Ayache has emerged as the staff ace after sharing the limelight at the start of the season with junior Kortney Kunkle.

"She (Ayache) has had an outstanding year and one can just look at her record," said Thomas. "She has developed her game especially down the stretch. We have been fortunate to have two very good pitchers.

But she (Ayache) has really hit her spots and location has been the key for her all season. (Ayache) has kept the ball down and has taken over the top spot for us."

A win over North Schuylkill would have launched the Roughies into the Class 2A championship game Thursday against the winner of the Pine Grove-Pen Argyl matchup.

Regardless of any outcome, Thomas won't soon forget this season.

"These girls have been playing together for a while, and they were very hungry," he said. "It would be difficult to end this soon, but they have plenty to be proud about this year."