Hempfield downs Seneca Valley, ties record with 10th WPIAL softball championship
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Wednesday, May 27, 2026 | 9:24 PM
Hempfield seniors celebrate with the trophy after beating Seneca Valley during the WPIAL Class 6A softball championship game Wednesday at Lilley Field. (Chaz Palla | TribLive)
Hempfield celebrates beating Seneca Valley in the WPIAL Class 6A softball championship game Wednesday at Lilley Field. (Chaz Palla | TribLive)
Hempfield’s Lauren Howard with a two-run hit against Seneca Valley during the WPIAL Class 6A softball championship game Wednesday at Lilley Field. (Chaz Palla | TribLive)
Hempfield’s Julia Varhola with a dance move after an RBI double against Seneca Valley during the WPIAL Class 6A softball championship game Wednesday at Lilley Field. (Chaz Palla | TribLive)
Hempfield’s Claire Mitchell and Jayelyn Luft score back to back against Seneca Valley in the first inning during the WPIAL Class 6A softball championship game Wednesday at Lilley Field. (Chaz Palla | TribLive)
Hempfield’s Abigail Magill is safe as Seneca Valley’s Marci Milosicevic can’t handle the throw during the WPIAL Class 6A softball championship game Wednesday at Lilley Field. (Chaz Palla | TribLive)
Hempfield’s Emily Bozek with an RBI hit against Seneca Valley during the WPIAL Class 6A softball championship game Wednesday at Lilley Field. (Chaz Palla | TribLive)
Hempfield’s Claire Mitchell and Jayelyn Luft score back to back against Seneca Valley in the first inning during the WPIAL Class 6A softball championship game Wednesday at Lilley Field. (Chaz Palla | TribLive)
Hempfield starting pitcher Julia Varhola throws against Seneca Valley during the WPIAL Class 6A softball championship game Wednesday at Lilley Field. (Chaz Palla | TribLive)
Hempfield tied the WPIAL record for softball championships with its 10th as the top-seeded Spartans defeated No. 2 Seneca Valley, 11-1, in the Class 6A title game Wednesday night at Lilley Field at Cal (Pa.).
The game was cut short to six innings by the 10-run mercy rule.
The Spartans (21-1), who increased their winning streak to 19, made it back-to-back championships and tied Baldwin and Sto-Rox for the most district titles.
They advance to the PIAA playoffs and will play at McDowell on Monday at time and site to be announced.
Hempfield took a 2-0 lead in the first via a three-base error by Seneca Valley.
Lauren Howard struck out, but the third strike was dropped and an errant throw to first allowed both runs to race home.
Claire Mitchell and Jayelyn Luft, the top two hitters in the order, scored after hitting consecutive singles.
The Raiders (15-6) broke through in the fifth. Harlee Hornick doubled to open the inning, and Olivia Herrem followed with an infield single.
Julia Valasek smacked a liner off Varhola’s chest. While the pitcher quickly recovered and threw to first, a run scored to make it 2-1.
Hempfield limited the damage, then tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the inning.
Mitchell singled and Jayelyn Luft walked. They moved up on a double steal to set up Howard, who sliced a single to right to knock in a pair and increase the advantage to 4-1.
The Spartans added on with one out and chased starting pitcher Abby Kalkowski.
Jocelyn Luft drove in a run with a single, Julia Varhola followed with a two-run double, and Emily Bozek had an RBI double for an 8-1 advantage.
Bozek’s hit came against Rachael Dunmire, who came out of the bullpen.
Jocelyn Luft made it 10-1 with a two-run double in the sixth.
Emily Bozek’s sacrifice fly pushed home the 11th run and the Spartans walked off with their 14th run-ruled win of the season.
Mitchell, Jayelyn Luft, Howard and Jocelyn Luft all had two hits for the Spartans.
Jocelyn Luft had three RBIs, and Bozek and Howard had two apiece.
Valasek was 3 for 3 with an RBI, and Volz was 2 for 3 for the Raiders.
This story will be updated.
Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.
Tags: Hempfield, Seneca Valley
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