In WPIAL Class A softball the past three seasons, there has been Chartiers-Houston, and then everybody else.

The Bucs, the three-time defending WPIAL champions, are the standard by which others measure themselves. Opponents know that to achieve postseason glory, beating coach Tricia Alderson's team likely will be part of the challenge.

Should that come to pass, Fort Cherry would feel pretty good about its chances. The Rangers beat the Bucs for the second time this season, 5-4, last week.

"We really wanted it this year," Fort Cherry coach Chester Hoffman said. "We've been close the last couple years, but they always came through in the end. It's nice to beat a good team, a well-coached team.

"It's something different. We're definitely enjoying the moment. We're not done yet, but we're enjoying it because they worked hard on it."

Hoffman added that his team likely would run into Chartiers-Houston again if it is to go as far as it wants to in the WPIAL playoffs, which will begin next week. If there ever was an intimidation factor facing a team that has been so dominant in recent seasons, it's safe to say there won't be one anymore for the Rangers if the two teams do meet again.

"We're well aware of Chartiers-Houston's reputation as a softball organization, and we always look forward to the challenge of playing them," junior pitcher Kaitlin Hoop said. "It was a really good win for us."

But Fort Cherry's season has been about more than just last week's victory and a 5-0 win against the Bucs April 14. The Rangers, who were 0-6 against Chartiers-Houston the previous three seasons, finished the regular season 13-3 overall and 12-3 in Section 1-A, tying the Bucs for the section title.

Fort Cherry, which made the WPIAL playoffs last season for the first time in four years, had not won a section title since 2002.

"It's very important to us to win the section this year," said Hoop, the winning pitcher against Chartiers-Houston. "We had high expectations for ourselves this year."

A big reason why the Rangers have been fulfilling those expectations has been a pitching staff that had allowed only 13 runs during a 12-game stretch -- all victories -- heading into the Bentworth game Tuesday.

The Rangers' pitching staff has proven to be more than just one arm. Fort Cherry boasts three starters, each of whom can be depended on to win. Hoop has beaten high-powered Chartiers-Houston twice. Hoffman said that junior left-hander Lyndsie Delprato has tossed two no-hitters and junior Lindsay Relihan one.

"It's a big advantage that we have three pitchers," Hoop said. "We can switch it up. That's one of the components of our team that makes us special. We can move people around, and when you face a team three times, we start to get familiar with their weaknesses and what works against them, yet we can adjust to them."

Hoffman said that the team does not utilize a pure pitching rotation and that once a pitcher starts, she is generally not relieved.

Each of the three has a different style that can cross up an opponent, Hoffman said, adding that he also has two freshmen pitchers who can throw if needed.

Delprato, Relihan and Hoop also play in the field when they are not in the circle. Hoop is the Rangers' leadoff hitter. Ashley Clark is one of thee freshmen in the lineup, along with standout left fielder Nicolette McHugh and right fielder Lauren Cowden. Clark bats second and plays third base. Senior shortstop Courtney Folk had the winning home run against Chartiers-Houston.

Junior catcher Harley Davidson bats cleanup, and junior Stephanie Pershina, junior Brittany Lauff and senior Sara McGraw also are contributors.

"We're very confident in ourselves right now," Hoop said. "That was definitely the high point of the season right there. Defeating Char-Houston for [first place in the section], that gives us a big boost of confidence.

"We had a lot of experience this year and this just helps put us over the top."