PINE GROVE — The Tri-Valley softball program is adept at the ins and outs on a softball field.

So it came as no surprise Tuesday that the pre-tournament favorites to win the Class 1A championship did just that.

The Bulldogs needed just four innings to down Marian 15-0 to claim their fifth straight title, and the sixth during the 33-year tenure of highly successful head coach Marty Shade.

Many felt the game would be closer, despite the outcome of the two teams’ previous meeting this season.

“I always tell our players that the playoffs are altogether different, you have to be mentally ready,” said Shade after his team defeated the upstart Fillies.

Tri-Valley set the tone early, scoring five times in the first inning.

And winning pitcher Kora Rodichok seemed untouchable at times.

The hurler finished with a one-hitter, striking out 11, as she breezed through the Fillies lineup without any serious issues.

“You know, I felt they would give us a really tough game,” said Rodichok, who is bound for Misericordia this fall. “We played them twice before.”

The right-hander allowed just a third-inning single to Zoe Katona. The only other time a Marian runner got on base was when Katona reached on an error and moved to second on Grace Sendatch’s sacrifice bunt.

The Bulldogs sent nine batters to the plate in the first, which was highlighted by RBI doubles from both Mandy Schwalm and Rodichok — who helped her own cause. The winners also received singles from Cassidey Snyder, Savanah Stiely and Lydia Rodichok in the inning.

“I told the girls that we needed to jump on them early and get the (momentum) on our side,” said Shade.

Those words evidently didn’t fall on deaf ears.

Marian pitcher Kayla Birrer seemed to settle down momentarily by retiring the side in the second, but the Tri-Valley offense was at it once again in the third. Sending 12 batters to the plate, the Bulldogs produced seven runs on eight hits — all singles — and a costly error to take a commanding 12-0 advantage.

“I thought (Birrer) did a nice job, our problem, twice we gave them five outs, and it hurt,” said first-year Marian head coach Lyndsey Reinohl.

Tri-Valley squashed any remaining hope for the Fillies in the fourth when it tallied three more times to end the contest.

With two outs, Bulldog No. 9 hitter Renee Tobin singled, which was followed by another hit off the bat of Snyder. A walk to Alina Leonard loaded the bases, and an error allowed two runs to cross home. Oliva Witmer then delivered the final dagger with an RBI single to end the game via the 15-run rule.

“Our young players will learn from this, as we only lose four seniors and all of our pitchers return,” said Reinohl in a positive tone, underscoring the future is bright for the Marian program.

Will a turning point be on the horizon for the Fillies? Reinohl and her team will have to wait until the spring of 2026 to find out.

BANG BANG BANG … Tri-Valley made solid contact, and its hits weren’t excuse-me type. The champs barreled the ball up, finishing with an impressive 15 hits.

LEATHER MAKERS … Marian center fielder Emily Upanavage tracked down a fistful of flyouts. She has a glide to her step and is exceptional in the field.

K-ZONE … Rodichok used a tough fastball as her go-to pitch and was trying to use a drop pitch, but she said it’s something that she needs to get better at perfecting. She recorded eight strikeouts thorough the first three innings, and Marian could only put three balls in the field of play. Kora’s sister, Lydia — a sophomore — served as her batterymate.

LOOKING AHEAD ... Tri-Valley will open state playoff action on Monday. The Bulldogs face the District 2 champions, which will be either Holy Cross or Old Forge.

Marian 000 0 - 0 1 4

Tri-Valley 507 3 - 15 15 1

Birrer and Treskalosky; K. Rodichok and L. Rodichok. W - K. Rodichok. L - Birrer.

Records: Marian (11-10); Tri-Valley (18-6).