OF Claire Mitchell joins Hempfield pipeline to Division I softball
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Friday, January 10, 2025 | 11:01 AM
Hempfield’s Claire Mitchell celebrates after hitting a home run against Norwin during WPIAL Class 6A softball semifinals May 24, 2023, at Gateway High School.
At this rate, Hempfield is going to be able to fill out a full lineup card with NCAA Division I college players next softball season.
Junior Claire Mitchell this week became the sixth returning Spartans standout to commit to a high-level program as she chose the University of Maryland, Baltimore County of the America East Conference.
The speedy outfielder and leadoff hitter joins committed teammates Riley Miller (Kent State), Allie Cervola (Ohio), Lauren Howard (Virginia), Julia Varhola (James Madison) and Ella Berkebile (Bucknell).
Mitchell said she wanted to find a school that “felt like home.”
“I had met the coach at a previous camp, and his interaction with the girls at the camp was very positive,” Mitchell said. “In the beginning, I had a few other schools interested, and visits planned, but I knew once I went to UMBC that was where I wanted to go. I liked the location in the city and the atmosphere of the school. I got to meet some of the players too, and they were very welcoming. I was impressed by the facilities and the staff of the team.”
Mitchell hit .344 last season with four doubles, two triples, a home run and 10 RBIs, often starting big innings for Hempfield, a WPIAL semifinalist a year after winning its eighth WPIAL title.
“Claire has been nothing short of consistent for us as she stepped on the field as a freshman,” Hempfield coach Tina Madison said. “She has provided us stability as our leadoff batter, and I am excited for her to lead our outfield this year.”
The idea of having a half-dozen Division I players on the same roster is bewildering and thrilling to Mitchell, who plays travel softball with several Hempfield teammates on Team PA Hall 2026.
“It is honestly crazy, and so cool … so surreal,” she said. “I love being around them because I’ve been with most of them for more than five years.”
Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.
Tags: Hempfield
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