2025 WPIAL Class 4A softball preseason breakdown

By: Bill Hartlep
Tuesday, March 11, 2025 | 10:43 PM

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Since the expansion to six classifications in softball in 2017, three schools have reigned atop the WPIAL in Class 4A: Belle Vernon, Elizabeth Forward and Beaver.

Elizabeth Forward is the defending WPIAL champion and won in 2019. Belle Vernon took top honors in 2023 as well as 2017-18. Beaver went back-to-back in 2021-22.

Could one of those powerhouses again claim WPIAL gold, or will another program step into the spotlight?

Here is a look at the 2025 preseason top 5 teams, some players to watch and other diamond notes in WPIAL Class 4A softball.

Preseason Top 5

1. Elizabeth Forward (23-2 last season)

The Warriors again have the look of a team to beat after rolling to a WPIAL championship a year ago. They went 12-0 in Section 2 and averaged 9.5 runs per game. EF defeated Hampton, 10-2, in the WPIAL final and went on to lose in the PIAA championship game to Blue Mountain, 4-0. Junior shortstop Julia Resnik, a Robert Morris commit, was tabbed the state’s Class 4A player of the year after she hit .521 with five home runs and 27 RBIs. Junior third baseman Addy Nigut was a first-team all-state selection. Senior DP Julia Johnson (Point Park) and junior outfielder Hannah Evans also were all-section picks. The Warriors did graduate all-state pitcher Shelby Telegdy (Seton Hill), who had an 0.54 ERA with 199 strikeouts and hit .568 with seven homers and 36 RBIs. Elizabeth Forward outscored section opponents 162-1 and allowed just 19 runs all season.

2. Indiana (13-7)

The Little Indians won Section 1 at 10-0, averaging 6.6 runs per game. They earned the WPIAL’s No. 3 seed but fell to Blackhawk, 5-3, in the quarterfinals. Senior infielders Maggie Cunningham and Addie Stossel were all-section selections last season. Cunningham, a shortstop, is a UNC Pembroke commit. Stossel will play at Washington & Jefferson. Indiana graduated all-state pitcher Olivia Zimmerman (Palm Beach Atlantic).

3. Belle Vernon (13-7)

The Section 2 runners-up were bounced in the first round by Blackhawk last season after going 8-4 in Section 2. The Leopards averaged 7.8 runs per game. Senior Katie Sokol was a first-team all-state second baseman after batting .492. Also back are senior catcher Mia Zubovic (Mercyhurst), senior Lauren VanDivner (Potomac State) and junior Isabella Williams (Charleston). Gracie Sokol (Lackawanna) graduated after batting .533.

4. Hampton (17-6)

The Talbots made their first trip to the WPIAL championship game last season. They won Section 3 at 11-1 behind an offense that averaged 9.3 runs per game. Hampton returns sophomore pitcher Marissa Snyder (2.19 ERA, 130 strikeouts), who hit .462, but the Talbots will be young with six sophomores and a freshman in the starting lineup. Senior third baseman Aliza Michielli (.423), junior outfielder Giana Nelson (.444) and sophomore catcher Katelyn Dubee (.397) are among six returning starters. Hampton graduated Mackenzie Reese (Pitt), who hit .471 with five homers, and Charlotte Lomb (Albany).

5. West Mifflin (11-9)

A year after reaching the WPIAL quarterfinals, West Mifflin welcomes back a group of eight starters, highlighted by all-section pitcher Rylie Dobnak who was 11-9 with a 2.63 ERA and 144 strikeouts and also hit .391 with 19 RBIs. Mia Bey, Aubrey Jaskulski and Kayleigh Tatters all hit over .315 last season. All-section catcher Caleigh Ignat is a Point Park recruit.

Players to watch

Maggie Cunningham, sr., INF, Indiana

Harlie Dirda, jr., OF, Laurel Highlands

Rylie Dobnak, jr., P, West Mifflin

Hannah Evans, jr., OF, Elizabeth Forward

Marlee Fraser, jr., P, Knoch

Grace Hensch, sr., C, Knoch

Caleigh Ignat, sr., C, West Mifflin

Julia Johnson, sr., DP, Elizabeth Forward

Zoey Lindner, sr., INF, Blackhawk

Ava Livingood, so., C, Uniontown

Addy Nigut, jr., 3B, Elizabeth Forward

Julia Resnik, jr., INF, Elizabeth Forward

Carrah Scardina, sr., INF, Highlands

Alle Scarpa, jr., P, Greensburg Salem

Marissa Snyder, so., P, Hampton

Katie Sokol, sr., INF, Belle Vernon

Sami Springman, sr., INF, Beaver

Addie Stossel, sr., INF, Indiana

Kayleigh Tatters, jr., OF, West Mifflin

Emma Weaver, sr., P, Central Valley

Mia Zubovic, sr., C, Belle Vernon

Diamond notes

• Class 4A welcomed Derry, Freeport and Valley, which moved up and into Section 1, as well as Central Valley, which moved up a class to join Section 3. Oakland Catholic dropped down a class and into Section 2, and Western Beaver moved down a class and into Section 3.

• Knoch (14-7) has seven returning starters, including a pair of all-section selections in pitcher Marlee Fraser and catcher Grace Hensch. The Knights were Section 1 runners-up at 8-2 last season and reached the WPIAL quarterfinals.

• Freeport (11-7) will miss graduates Abby DeJidas and Sydney Selker but returns seven letter winners. The young squad doesn’t include any seniors. Leah Clark and Addyson Caruso each hit near .300.

• Nine starters are back for Greensburg Salem (8-13), including pitcher Alle Scarpa, who had 151 strikeouts last season in addition to batting .418 with five homers.

• Senior pitcher Emma Weaver (Cedarville) was an all-section pick last season for Central Valley (12-3), which finished second in Section 2 at 8-2. The Warriors lost to South Park in the Class 3A quarterfinals.

• Sophomore Ava Livengood returns after an all-section campaign for Uniontown (8-7).

• Oakland Catholic (3-11) returns junior infielder Nina Hillard and sophomore outfielder Madison Pullen, who earned postseason honors.

• Blackhawk (10-9) will try to build of a WPIAL semifinal appearance behind six returning starters, including all-section first baseman Zoey Lindner (.441). LF Lila Grimm also returns after missing last season with an injury.

• Senior shortstop Sami Springman (Clarion) hit .490 last season and was a second-team all-state selection for Beaver (3-14). The Bobcats also return senior Taylor Young (Seton Hill).

• Senior infielder/pitcher Isabella Lefebvre was honorable mention all-section last season and is one of 14 returning letter winners for Western Beaver (6-7).

2025 alignment

Section 1: Derry, Freeport, Greensburg Salem, Highlands, Indiana, Knoch, Valley

Section 2: Belle Vernon, Elizabeth Forward, Laurel Highlands, Oakland Catholic, Ringgold, Uniontown, West Mifflin

Section 3: Ambridge, Beaver, Blackhawk, Central Valley, Hampton, North Catholic, Western Beaver

Bill Hartlep is the TribLive sports editor. A Pittsburgh native and Point Park graduate, he joined the Trib in 2004, covering high school sports. He held various editing roles before assuming his current position in 2019. He can be reached at bhartlep@triblive.com.

Tags: Beaver, Belle Vernon, Blackhawk, Central Valley, Elizabeth Forward, Freeport, Greensburg Salem, Hampton, Highlands, Indiana, Knoch, Laurel Highlands, Oakland Catholic, Uniontown, West Mifflin, Western Beaver