A-K Valley H.S. softball capsule for May 11, 2026

By: Michael Love
Sunday, May 10, 2026 | 4:39 PM

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WPIAL softball playoffs

Class 4A

First round

11-Freeport (8-10) vs. 6-Laurel Highlands (10-5)

2 p.m. Monday at Norwin

Winner plays: 3-Blackhawk (10-4) on Thursday in quarterfinals (time and location TBD)

Players to watch: Addyson Caruso, Freeport; Kayla Howell, Laurel Highlands

Extra bases: Freeport is back in the WPIAL playoffs after missing out last year in its first season back up in Class 4A. The Yellowjackets scored a crucial victory over Greensburg-Salem in dominating fashion last Monday and finished in a tie with the Golden Lions for first place in Section 1 at 5-7. Junior Ali Smith pitched a two-hitter in the win. Freshman Mady Bell also has pitched games for the Yellowjackets this season. Caruso, a senior third baseman and a Waynesburg commit, senior center fielder Addi Gourley (Pitt-Johnstown), and senior first baseman Lauren Clark lead the Freeport offense from the heart of the lineup. … Laurel Highlands finished second (8-4) to top-seeded Elizabeth Forward in Section 2. The Mustangs qualified for the WPIAL playoffs for the first time since 2013. Laurel Highlands is seeking its first WPIAL title. Howell, a senior, fronts the Mustangs in hitting at .408 (20 of 49). The 20 hits and her 16 runs scored are team-bests. Sophomores Payton Senge and Chloe Komacko and senior Harlie Dirda lead the way with 16, 12 and 10 RBIs, respectively. Senge (9-4) paces the Mustangs with a 0.88 ERA and 146 strikeouts over 80 innings.

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

Tags: Freeport, Laurel Highlands