Hempfield, Seneca Valley softball teams downplay importance of No. 1 seed for WPIALs

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Wednesday, May 8, 2024 | 5:39 PM

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Previous Next

Neither coach seemed too concerned about it, but they also did not discount the value of getting the top seed.

It’s only a number, they consented.

Hempfield’s Tina Madison and Marlesse Hames of Seneca Valley basically agreed there isn’t much difference between the Nos. 1 and 2 seeds in the WPIAL Class 6A softball playoffs.

The WPIAL will release playoff brackets Thursday, and those teams will be 1 and 2.

Hempfield is ranked No. 1 in the WPIAL and state. The Raiders are No. 2.

Heading into Wednesday, Hempfield (17-1) had won 13 straight since a loss to Seneca Valley (18-1), whose lone defeat is to the Spartans, the defending WPIAL champions.

“Doesn’t matter,” Madison said. “The 1 and 2 are on opposite sides of the bracket. As long as we take care of business, we don’t have to see Seneca (again) until the end.”

Hames hopes her team is fully healthy for another run at a title. Star pitcher Lexie Hames has been dealing with a tight shoulder that has limited her innings significantly the past five games.

“It’s about getting to the game that matters the most,” Marlesse Hames said.

Hempfield is the defending champion. It defeated Seneca Valley in last year’s final 2-1 in eight innings. But that won’t matter as much to the committee as the Spartans’ latest win over the Raiders, a 15-2, run-ruled victory last week that helped them earn a section-title split.

The committee, one would think, could take Lexie Hames’ condition into account for seeding. Still, the Raiders can’t be less than a No. 2 seed.

Hames, whose range of motion is the biggest issue, only worked one inning in relief in the loss as she continued to rest. An overpowering ace who has committed to Clemson, she pitched a no-hitter last month when the Raiders blanked Hempfield, 2-0.

A knotted muscle, her mother said, has presented tightness in her shoulder and back.

Lexie Hames does not consider the issue to be an “injury.”

“I’m not hurt; I’m fine,” she told a Hempfield assistant coach after last week’s game.

She did toss a seven-inning no-hitter with 15 strikeouts against Canon-McMillan last week, indicating she might be fine.

The difference between a healthy Hames and the alternative could be immense for the Raiders.

Madison called Hames a generational talent.

“She’s that good and makes that much of a difference,” Madison said. “Her not pitching changes everything.”

A third meeting between Hempfield and Seneca Valley this season is not guaranteed, but the WPIAL softball congregation would be stunned to see a different matchup in the finals.

“Hopefully, Lexie can rest and be ready to go for the playoffs,” coach Hames said. “If not, we want to be ready with our No. 2 (sophomore Abby Kalkowski). She is a different pitcher, but she is doing well for us. Our girls have to make plays behind her.”

Hempfield’s convincing win last week, which saw Elle Berkebile, Emily Griffith and Allie Cervola hit home runs off Kalkowski, gave the Spartans greater peace of mind when it comes to the thought of a repeat.

“It was a great win,” Madison said. “But we know the one that matters is at the end. We have been playing extremely well, and it’s a continuation of that.”

Hames pitched one inning in relief, and Hempfield got three straight hits against the rocketballer.

“This win tells me our team works together great, and we all contribute in one way or another,” Hempfield junior pitcher Riley Miller said. “I wouldn’t say it was different with Lexie not being at 100%. We came out playing like we would any team. The pitcher doesn’t change how we approach a game.”

Hempfield had five girls batting .396 or better.

The Spartans have eight WPIAL titles. Baldwin and Sto-Rox share the record with 10.

Miller is hoping Hames can return to top form, only because it makes the teams’ newfound rivalry that much better.

“I would like to face her again on a big stage,” Miller said. “Every game against Seneca Valley is a great one that many people look forward to.”

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