Hempfield softball player Claire Mitchell flips college commitment
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Friday, August 15, 2025 | 3:47 PM
Hempfield’s Claire Mitchell makes a catch on a ball hit by Mifflin County’s Sophie McCurdy during PIAA first round softball Class 6A playoff action June 5, 2023 at Robert D. Kalp Field at Hempfield Area High School.
Hempfield rising senior softball player Claire Mitchell has flipped her college commitment following a coaching change.
Mitchell, a standout outfielder, announced she is no longer committed to Maryland Baltimore County and instead will play at Marist of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.
She decided to leave UMBC after the resignation of coach Chris Kuhlmeyer, who recruited her. He had been the coach since 2018.
Instead, Mitchell will play for Joe Ausanio, who has led Marist for 17 seasons.
“I felt it fit me best to go somewhere I truly loved, and Marist was the perfect place for me,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell helped Hempfield to a WPIAL Class 6A championship last spring, hitting .344 with four doubles, two triples, a home run and 10 RBIs from the leadoff spot.
Last season, Marist had its best season, winning a program-record 48 games, the MAAC regular-season and tournament titles and posted its first win in NCAA Tournament history.
Grad pitcher Kiley Myers (Latrobe) had a career year, going 23-2 with a 1.66 ERA and 114 strikeouts in 147 1/3 innings.
Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.
Tags: Hempfield
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