2026 WPIAL Class 3A softball preseason breakdown

By: Bill Hartlep
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 | 12:51 AM

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Could there be a WPIAL championship three-peat in Class 3A softball this spring?

Mohawk will take its best shot to retain its spot atop the proverbial podium after winning the past two district titles.

The Warriors will be challenged by last season’s runner-up South Park and many others as the season gets underway this week.

Here is a look at the 2026 preseason top 5 teams, some players to watch and other diamond notes in WPIAL Class 3A softball.

Preseason Top 5

1. Mohawk (16-6 last season)

Mohawk made its run to the Section 2 and WPIAL titles last season behind a loaded lineup that produced 199 runs, an average of 9.0 per game. The group belted 15 hits in the WPIAL finals. The Warriors return seven starters, including all-state first baseman Lydia Cole, a Gannon recruit who hit seven home runs; all-state third baseman Addy Moskal (.519); and senior pitcher Reagan Magno, among others. Magno, a Holy Cross commit, was 11-1 with a 2.55 ERA and nearly 150 strikeouts last season. Sophomore Kaitlyn Hare also saw some innings in the circle. Catcher Mylie Pistorius and shortstop Gianna Pzzuolo were also Lawrence County all-stars. The Warriors graduated just one starter — all-state outfielder Liv Hare (Robert Morris).

2. South Park (20-2)

South Park, the WPIAL runner-up in 2024 and ‘25, is looking to take the next step behind senior pitcher Sydney Sekely. The Gannon recruit was Trib HSSN’s Class 3A player of the year after going 18-0 in the regular season with nearly 200 strikeouts and also batting .521. The first-team all-state pitcher has a 36-5 record the past two seasons. The Eagles also return all-state first baseman Grace Kempton (Bethany), who knocked in 35 runs, and all-section honorees Sydney Dubyak and Kaitlyn Polk. South Park graduated all-state outfielder Kylie Mettrick (Pitt-Johnstown).

3. Mt. Pleasant (12-6)

Section 1 champion Mt. Pleasant has a solid nucleus returning after a playoff season a year ago. Junior pitcher Dani Trainer was an all-section selection after batting a team-best .532 with four home runs, 22 runs scored and 14 RBIs. She also recorded six pitching wins and a 2.47 ERA. The Vikings also will lean on juniors Talia Reho, Kendra Brunson and Kendell Waters. Brunson was an all-section pick last season.

4. Ellwood City (11-10)

Ellwood City made a run to the WPIAL semifinals last season as the No. 3 seed. A young lineup returns for coach Gary Rozanski (232-113) in a quest for the program’s fourth WPIAL championship. Senior all-section pitcher Amber McQuistion (Slippery Rock) has a 34-20 career record with 367 strikeouts. Junior all-section outfielder Alexis Beck is a .330 hitter, and junior catcher/infielder Rylee Prestopine had 19 RBIs last season. Junior all-section infielder Lena Lucarelli will miss the season with an injury.

5. Avonworth (16-6)

Avonworth tied for second in Section 2 last season before reaching the WPIAL semifinals and PIAA playoffs. The ‘Lopes, who averaged 8.7 runs per game, won WPIAL titles in 2019, ‘22 and ‘23 as well as the 2022 PIAA title. Back is junior pitcher Ali Linhart, who was an all-section selection a year ago. They will miss three all-state players who graduated — catcher Emma Obersteiner, shortstop Sydney Savatt (Rider) and outfielder Jayla Jones (Allegheny). Bill Mislan takes over as head coach.

Players to watch

Alexis Beck, sr., OF, Ellwood City

Kailyn Brannon, sr., INF, Keystone Oaks

Makayla Brown, so., INF, Southmoreland

Lyla Brunner, sr., OF, Charleroi

Kendra Brunson, jr., DP, Mt. Pleasant

Nina Buckley, sr., INF, Keystone Oaks

Grace Carver, sr., OF, Quaker Valley

Lydia Cole, sr., INF, Mohawk

Laney Dineff, sr., OF, Deer Lakes

Sydney Dubyak, sr., INF, South Park

Grace Kempton, sr., INF, South Park

Nicole Klages, sr., C, McGuffey

Brooke Kowalski, jr., OF, Yough

Evie Kyper, so., C, Keystone Oaks

Ali Linhart, so., P, Avonworth

Reagan Magno, sr., P, Mohawk

Ashlee Masters, so., DP, Mohawk

Amber McQuistion, sr., P, Ellwood City

Addy Moskal, sr., INF, Mohawk

Zoey Murphy, sr., P, Southmoreland

Siena Plummer, sr., OF, Deer Lakes

Kaitlyn Polk, sr., OF, South Park

Sydney Sekely, sr., P, South Park

Kennadi Smith, sr., P, Keystone Oaks

Abigail Springer, sr., INF, Ligonier Valley

Danica Trainer, jr., P, Mt. Pleasant

Jaidyn Vay, so., P, Yough

Diamond notes

• Southmoreland (10-8), which won a WPIAL title in 2018, was a quarterfinalist last season. The Scotties return sophomore all-state second baseman Makayla Brown, senior pitcher Zoey Murphy and senior outfielder Isabella Grabiak (IUP). They graduated all-state shortstop Riley Puckey and all-state catcher Makayla Etling (UNC Pembroke), who hit .569 with 10 homers.

• A playoff team a year ago, Deer Lakes (8-14) returns senior all-section outfielder Siena Plummer, who hit .388 with five homers, 16 RBIs and 22 runs scored. Senior outfielder/pitcher Laney Dineff also earned all-section honors.

• Ligonier Valley (5-11) reached the playoffs after finishing fourth in Section 1. Back are senior all-section infielder Abigail Springer and junior outfielder Marlee Miller.

• At Yough (7-10), sophomore pitcher Jaidyn Vay was an all-section pick after making an immediate impact, as was junior shortstop Brooke Kowalski, a Clarion recruit who batted .392. CF Anna Linders is committed to W&J. The Cougars return their entire starting lineup, as well as sophomore Kylee Fisher, who missed last season with an injury.

• Burrell (7-13) has five starters back, including pitcher/outfielder Shelby Novak, a Charleston recruit. The Bucs graduated shortstop Pyper Ferres (Ohio), who hit .451 with six homers, catcher Bella Stewart (W&J) and infielder Brae Jones.

• Hopewell (11-8) has just four returning starters but welcomes a promising freshman class. Pitcher/shortstop Alllison Ramaley hit .358 with 18 RBIs last season. The Vikings will miss graduate Victoria Mann, who hit .650 with seven homers and 33 RBIs. The Vikings have qualified for the playoffs in four straight seasons.

• Six starters return for Keystone Oaks (9-9), which was a playoff team in 2025. Leading hitter and pitcher Kennadi Smith (Chatham), center fielder Kylie Stahl (Saint Vincent) and infielders Nina Buckley and Kailyn Brannon are expected to pace the attack. Buckley, Brannon, Smith and sophomore catcher Evie Kyper were all-section selections.

• East Allegheny (0-13) has seven starters back, led by leading hitter and pitcher Mercedes Benz.

• The top four finishers in each section qualify for the WPIAL playoffs.

2026 alignment

Section 1: Burrell, Deer Lakes, Ligonier Valley, Mt. Pleasant, Southmoreland, Yough

Section 2: Avonworth, Beaver Falls, Ellwood City, Hopewell, Mohawk, Quaker Valley

Section 3: Charleroi, East Allegheny, Keystone Oaks, McGuffey, South Park, Steel Valley

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: Avonworth, Burrell, Charleroi, Deer Lakes, East Allegheny, Ellwood City, Hopewell, Keystone Oaks, Ligonier Valley, Mohawk, Mt. Pleasant, Quaker Valley, South Park, Southmoreland, Yough