Parkland's theme this season has been to keep both oars in the water and keep rowing. The theory is that if they follow that approach and one player stumbles, the others keep the team heading in the right direction.

That philosophy was key as the Lady Trojans made it back-to-back District 11 Championships last week with a 5-1 win over Easton.

Uncharacteristically, Parkland committed three errors in the game, but the Trojans were able to turn in big plays to offset those miscues and limit the damage.

Emma Varrato was the only player in the lineup with more than one hit, but seven of the nine players reached base in one form or another.

"It's very big," said senior Abby Fritzinger of the approach that has led Parkland to a 24-1 record this season and a spot in the PIAA Playoffs for the second straight season. "Because like tonight, I didn't have my best game, but other people came through and picked me up and that's a big part of why we have played so well. It feels awesome to do it twice."

Parkland also took advantage of Easton's errors, including two in the bottom of the second that helped lead to two runs.

Sam Pickar dropped a nice sacrifice bunt, looking to move Morgan to second, but first baseman Kyra Stanilious dropped the ball, allowing Pickar to reach base. A groundball moved the runners up and Kyleigh Staudt hit a groundball to second, but the throw home was bad, bringing both Morgan and Pickar in to score.

An inning later, Varrato reached on a single and advanced on a passed ball and a wild pitch, scoring from third on a flyball from Madison Marshall to give Parkland a 3-0 lead.

The Lady Trojans added single runs in the fifth and sixth innings on an RBI single from Pickar in the fifth and an RBI double by Varrato in the sixth.

Pitcher Aubree Fritzinger allowed just one run, which came in the fourth inning and was unearned. With one run already in and one out, Fritzinger got Mirando Youngkin to pop out to second and then Pickar made a big defensive play on a ball hit by Kylee Sutton to end the inning. Fritzinger, a sophomore, allowed just three hits in the game and got praise from her big sister, Abby, after the game.

"She's killing it. She pitched a great game tonight and I'm very proud of her," said Abby Fritzinger.

Parkland now takes its two-oars-in-the-water approach to states, looking for its first state championship since 2009.

"I think it's big for us, because it's a team sport and no one can do it alone," said Morgan. "It's a really good feeling and it's nice to know that all of our hard work paid off."

With a number of young players contributing, Parkland looks to its seniors to continue leading the team as they've done throughout the season. For Abby Fritzinger, the fact that the team went to states last season erases some of the nerves for the seniors, who can help the younger players adjust to the more intense atmosphere.

"I feel more comfortable," said Fritzinger. "I just feel like we need to get the younger girls ready to go with it. We just have to calm everyone's nerves, because that's what we've been doing this whole time and it worked. The younger girls really come up big for us, so God bless them."