Hempfield softball motivated to rejoin championship chase

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Wednesday, March 12, 2025 | 7:07 PM

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With six Division I college commits, Hempfield is primed for another run at WPIAL and PIAA championships.

Of course, last year did not include any titles, but the Spartans are refocused — and humbled — after they were dealt a surprising loss by Norwin in the WPIAL 6A semifinals.

High hopes quickly turned to dust with only the WPIAL champion advancing to the PIAA postseason.

The Spartans were left with an offseason to ponder the fragile nature of the postseason and the fact that nothing is guaranteed in sports.

“We have talked about this loss,” Hempfield coach Tina Madison said. “However, we are not allowing it to define us as a team. I think the key lesson learned from that game is that you have to be able to adjust and make in-game adjustments.

“There is no tomorrow in the playoffs. You have to be able to adjust.”

The 44th team in Hempfield program history has the talent to get the eight-time WPIAL and four-time PIAA champions back on track.

“Expectations are high any time you put on a Hempfield softball uniform,” Madison said. “It’s very hard to break our lineup with all of the highly talented players.”

Hempfield and Seneca Valley — which returns flame-throwing ace Lexie Hames — are expected to be the favorites in the WPIAL’s largest classification.

“That would be my preseason prediction with the high level of pitching,” Madison said.

Hempfield won its last WPIAL title in 2023. Seneca Valley won last year and in 2022.

Hempfield was the state runner-up in ’23, Seneca Valley in ’22.

Hempfield again will counter Hames, a Clemson commit, with an effective one-two punch that worked well last year in senior Riley Miller (Kent State) and junior Julia Varhola (James Madison).

Miller was 13-2 with a 1.09 ERA and 92 strikeouts. Varhola went 5-0 with a 1.50 ERA and 61 Ks in 37 ²⁄₃ innings.

Other returning Division I players for Hempfield include junior catcher Ella Berkebile (Bucknell), senior shortstop Allie Cervola (Ohio), junior third baseman Lauren Howard (Virginia) and junior outfielder Clair Mitchell (Maryland Baltimore County).

Senior Morgan Walt is a Waynesburg commit.

Berkebile had seven doubles and 11 RBIs, Cervola was a demon on defense, Howard batted .381 and Mitchell hit .344 with seven extra-base hits for the Spartans (18-2).

“We have strong pitching with Riley and Julia,” Madison said. “I am counting on them early in the season to take charge and keep us in games until we can figure out the right mix of new/younger players to surround them.

“Ella will continue to be a force behind the plate.”

Madison said there will likely be some position changes in the middle infield.

Hempfield always has up-and-coming talent. Some younger players looking to get a taste of varsity softball include Joey Cline, Raegan Reamer and Emily Bozek.

Others to watch

Penn-Trafford reached the WPIAL 5A semifinals and averaged 7.9 runs. Much of its offensive power returns, led by senior Cam Ponko, an IUP commit who hit .500 with 32 hits, 10 doubles, six homers and 25 RBIs.

The Warriors (15-7) lose only two starters.

“We return several important pieces that have a ton of experience in big games,” coach Denny Little said. “This senior class has participated in a WPIAL championship game, a state semifinal game, a WPIAL semifinal and another state quarterfinal. With those experiences, one’s desire to get over that hump increases exponentially.”

Also back for the Warriors are Kylie Anthony, Giuliana Youngo and pitcher Allyson Paulone, among others.

“I think they can evolve into a team that is a gritty, determined, and talented group of ball players that took back their mojo,” Little said.

• Norwin (10-11) has several spots to fill, especially with star shortstop Bailey Snowberger gone to Maine. Rachel Minteer and Isabella Deering bring back dependable bats.

• Franklin Regional will carry heavy bats into another season with senior Toryn Fulton and Ciara Camacho leading the way.

But can the offense produce finally playoff success?

Fulton, a South Florida commit, batted .673 (2.019 OPS) with seven home runs, 26 RBIs and 31 runs last season. She was intentionally walked 10 times.

Camacho is a speedster who will play at Kent State.

“I expect to be competitive this year, as always,” veteran coach Jim Armstrong said. “We had a pretty young team last year and definitely had some growing pains. I feel like we will be all-around better this year. We will have much more depth in the pitching department.”

Armstrong begins his 23rd season as coach.

• Perennial playoff team Yough has been ravaged by injuries before the season begins.

Standout Adoria Waldier (.433, 18 RBI) tore her ACL and is likely done for the year. She is the team’s only senior.

Pitcher Kylee Fisher also could miss an extended period of time after having surgery.

Yough has a freshman pitcher to watch in Jaidyn Vey, and five starters return, including Kylee Odelli.

“This year’s new Section 1-3A, with every team being a playoff team last year, is going to be tough,” Yough coach Dutch Harvey said. “I hope that we can contend for the section, make the playoffs and make another run this year.”

Yough will take a spring training trip to Orlando, Fla.

• Southmoreland must replace power-hitter Amarah McCutcheon (Cal, Pa.) but has another offensive force in Makayla Etling (.538, 8 HR, 24 RBI) and another big bat in Taylor Doppleheuer.

Pitcher Maddie Brown also will be missed.

The Scotties start the year with 15 players, seven who played last year.

• Ligonier Valley must replace ace pitcher Cheyenne Piper, the TribLive Westmoreland player of the year. Catcher Sydnee Foust and shortstop Abby Springer are top returnees from a 3A semifinalist that made the state playoffs.

• Grace Stein returns for her junior season at Jeannette. One of the WPIAL’s top arms, she went 12-3 with a 1.02 ERA and 202 strikeouts last season. She is recovering from a torn ACL from last soccer season.

On deck

Belle Vernon still has some offensive pop from a 4A playoff team. … Latrobe also made the 5A semifinals and PIAA playoffs and brings back Mya McHugh and Sara Blossey. … Allie Scarpa was Greensburg Salem’s top pitcher last year as a sophomore. … Mt. Pleasant has a new coach in Paul Reho, the team’s JV coach last year and the Vikings former middle school coach. Danica Trainer is a top player for the Vikings. … Joey Hurst of Monessen is one of the top dual-threat players in Class A. … Greensburg Central Catholic is a regular playoff contender in Class A but has talent to replace, especially offensively.

Players to watch

• Ella Berkebile, Jr., C, Hempfield

• Ciara Camacho, Sr., C, Franklin Regional

• Allie Cervola, Sr., SS, Hempfield

• Makayla Etling, Sr., C, Southmoreland

• Sydnee Foust, Sr., C, Ligonier Valley

• Toryn Fulton, Sr., SS, Franklin Regional

• Lauren Howard, Jr., 3B, Hempfield

• Joey Hurst, Jr., P, Monessen

• Mya McHugh, Sr., OF, Latrobe

• Riley Miller, Sr., P, Hempfield

• Rachel Minteer, Sr., IF, Norwin

• Allyson Paulone, So., P, Penn-Trafford

• Cam Ponko, Sr., 3B, Penn-Trafford

• Allie Scarpa, Jr., P, Greensburg Salem

• Grace Stein, Jr., P, Jeannette

• Danica Trainer, So., P, Mt. Pleasant

• Lauren VanDivner, Sr., IF, Belle Vernon

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Belle Vernon, Franklin Regional, Greensburg C.C., Greensburg Salem, Hempfield, Jeannette, Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Monessen, Mt. Pleasant, Norwin, Penn-Trafford, Southmoreland, Yough