The rivalry between Quaker Valley and Sewickley Academy runs strong in every sport, as the proximity of the two school fuels the competition. But in most cases, there is also a good bit of history to fuel the rivalry.

There was no track record to look back upon Friday, as the schools went head-to-head in softball for the first time since the Academy reestablished its program in 2005, resulting in an 11-0, six-inning win for the visiting Quakers.

Yet while it simply shows up as a loss on the scoresheet, the game -- played in front of the biggest crowd for an Academy softball game, to date -- was another step in the Panthers' preparation to join the WPIAL as a full varsity team beginning in 2009.

"We're thrilled to be back playing varsity softball, and next year, we'll be placed into a section and we'll be playing in the WPIAL," said Win Palmer, the school's softball coach and athletic director.

The team has prepared by playing a mixed schedule this year, facing junior varsity, varsity and split-squad competition this year, with the goal being to have as many competitive games as possible.

The game against Quaker Valley was the Panthers' third of the year against a full varsity squad, after losing to Ellis, 9-1, and defeating Shady Side Academy, 19-18.

At 3-5 overall, the Panthers are growing as a program, and they showed signs of that growth against QV, taking a scoreless game into the third inning.

"We played very well in the beginning, and went into the third, 0-0," Palmer said.

"(Quaker Valley's) varsity experience started to show after that, but even in the bottom of the sixth, we were able to get the bases loaded against them."

The play of the home team surprised Palmer's QV counterpart, who wasn't expecting as much of a challenge as the Academy posed.

"I didn't think (Sewickley Academy) would be ready to play up to our level," Quaker Valley coach Ray Fernandez said.

"I think they did a nice job, and even though we ended up beating them 11-0, they hung with us. It turned out the way I thought it probably would turn out, but in all, they did a nice job."

Fernandez's players also did a nice job in improving their team's record to 5-9 through Friday's game, scoring more than three runs for just the third time in their last 11 games.

Freshman Abby Kennedy hit her first career grand slam, part of a 5 RBI day, while sophomore Abbe Bernard was 3-for-4 with 3 RBI and junior Jackie Persuit was 2-for-4, driving in two runs.

Quaker Valley's sophomore pitcher Allie Rakowski earned the win, while freshman Annie Duerr threw the complete game for the Academy. Rakowski allowed three hits and three walks in the game, striking out seven in the shutout.

In spite of the result, both sides see Friday as a good start to another chapter in the QV-SA rivalry.

"Our biggest handicap is a lack of playing experience," Palmer said.

"For us to be where we are now, it's a real testament to the seniors we had last year and this year that really spearheaded bringing softball back to the Academy."

"What we're trying to do to rebuild our program is tough enough," Fernandez said. "But when you lose a program like that completely, it's tough to come back."

The Quakers wrap up their section season with a home game against Beaver today, while the Panthers have four more games, all at home, beginning with Northgate on Friday.