2026 WPIAL Class 4A softball championship preview: Elizabeth Forward vs. Blackhawk

By: Matthew Purucker
Wednesday, May 27, 2026 | 1:09 PM

WPIAL Class 4A softball final

No. 1 Elizabeth Forward vs. No. 3 Blackhawk

4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Lilley Field, Cal (Pa.)

On the air: Audio: Trib HSSN; Video: NFHS Network

WPIAL titles: Elizabeth Forward 2 (2024, 2019); Blackhawk 0

Elizabeth Forward (19-3)

Coach: Harry Rutherford

Semifinal lineup

3, Berlyn Holibaugh, P, jr.

42, Julia Resnik, SS, sr.

14, Addyson Nigut, 3B, sr.

4, Hannah Evans, CF, sr.

6, Aubriana Cimba, LF, sr.

21, Sophia Pasinsky, C, jr.

25, Morgan Telegdy, 1B, so.

30, Claire Balint, RF, sr.

2, Samantha Malek, 2B, sr.

How they got here: Elizabeth Forward defeated No. 9 Derry, 8-4, in the quarterfinals and No. 4 Hampton, 7-5, in the semifinals.

Notable: Elizabeth Forward is back in the finals after winning the WPIAL 4A championship two years ago. The Warriors breezed through Section 2 at 12-0 on the way to a section title. Senior Addyson Nigut paces a senior-heavy Warriors team after having an impressive season at the plate. Nigut has a team-high batting average of .521 and is also first on Elizabeth Forward with 37 hits, 31 RBIs and 11 doubles. From the circle, junior pitcher Berlyn Holibaugh crossed the century mark in strikeouts and has a 3.38 ERA. Senior Hannah Evans has recorded team bests in belting six home runs and stealing 23 bases.

Blackhawk (12-4)

Coach: Jim Riggio

Semifinal lineup

34, Eva Parris, 2B, jr.

27, Brynn Hysong, SS, jr.

24, Addy Ramer, CF, sr.

22, Lara Selick, 1B, so.

25, Ava Elich, RF, fr.

23, Kylie Prisuta, P, sr.

11, Morgan Alexander, LF, jr.

3, Chloe Franitti, 3B, so.

10, Hannah Nolte, C, jr.

How they got here: Blackhawk defeated No. 6 Laurel Highlands, 3-1, in the quarterfinals and No. 7 North Catholic, 13-4, in the semifinals.

Notable: Blackhawk seeks to outdo last year’s trip to the Class 4A finals by taking home its first WPIAL championship in this season’s title game. The Cougars swept defending WPIAL 4A champion Hampton in the regular season to take the Section 3 crown, going 10-2 in section play. Blackhawk tallied 16 hits in its semifinal win, seven of which came in the second inning as part of a nine-run outburst that propelled the Cougars to return to the finals. Blackhawk defeated Elizabeth Forward in the 2025 WPIAL 4A semifinals.

Tags: Blackhawk, Elizabeth Forward