Down to its last strike, Nazareth stuns Hempfield with 6-run rally in state semifinals

By: Jeffrey Kauffman
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 | 7:58 PM

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SHIPPENSBURG — Hempfield suffered a heartbreaking end to its highly successful season in the PIAA Class 6A softball semifinals Tuesday.

Down to their last strike in the top of the seventh, the Nazareth Blue Eagles put together a dramatic six-run rally to pull out a 6-4 decision. Nazareth will play Central Dauphin for the state title Thursday at Penn State.

The Spartans led 4-0 heading into the final inning behind timely hitting, great defense and the pitching of Riley Miller.

The Blue Eagles opened the seventh with a walk to Alina Weaver. A single to left by Shauna McNamee put two runners on base. Miller struck out the next two batters before an infield single by Taylor Friel loaded the bases.

Emma Infantino drilled a 1-2 pitch to the gap in left-center to plate three runs. Briana Recchia singled to center to tie the score. Lily Moretti singled to deep short, and an error allowed the lead run to score. Weaver then singled to right to score the sixth run.

“We were up 4-0 and didn’t close it out,” Hempfield coach Tina Madison said. “We had two outs and a 1-2 count in the final inning. Even after the double, we had our chance to end the game. It is heartbreaking, and I feel bad for the kids who have worked so hard to get here. Riley and our seniors have had great careers and today doesn’t define any of them.”

Nazareth pitcher Kylie Grover retired the side in the seventh, despite an error. She allowed only three hits and struck out 10. She allowed four runs but only one hard-hit ball, a double by Lauren Howard. Four errors by her defense only contributed to two runs.

Hempfield (23-2) jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the opening inning. Claire Mitchell walked and scored on a double by Howard. Howard scored on a sacrifice fly by Allie Cervola.

The Spartans added two more in the fourth. Cervola singled, and after a sac bunt, Raegan Reamer was hit by a pitch. She stole second and the throw was dropped, allowing Cervola to score. A Julia Varhola single scored Reamer for the 4-0 lead.

Miller pitched all seven innings and was aided by two double plays and two runners thrown out by catcher Ella Berkebile. Then the fateful seventh inning ended the brilliant pitching and the careers of the senior hurler and many other seniors.

“This is the second time in the state tournament that we were down to our final strike and at-bat, and the girls always believe in each other,” said Nazareth coach Steve Genzale. “We didn’t play our best game today. We didn’t hit, we didn’t run well and we made some errors. But we made plays and put the ball in play when we needed to in that last inning. This group works so hard and believes in each other. I am so happy for them.”

Tags: Hempfield