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Hempfield softball team dominates No. 1 Seneca Valley

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Wednesday, May 1, 2024 | 8:26 PM

Hempfield went from the wrong end of a no-hitter to the right end of a no-doubter.

Nobody saw this coming.

In quite the turn of events, the second-ranked Lady Spartans had their way with No. 1 Seneca Valley in their Class 6A softball section rematch Wednesday, spraying base hits all over the field and pummeling the previously undefeated Raiders, 15-2, in a run-ruled, five-inning finish at Robert D. Kalp Field.

To beat Seneca Valley (16-1, 13-1) in this fashion was huge for Hempfield (14-1, 11-1), but there was one immense element that took some of the luster off of the matchup: Seneca Valley star junior pitcher Lexie Hames did not start as she deals with muscle soreness in her shoulder.

The Clemson commit did pitch, but only one inning of relief. By the time she came in, Hempfield had a 7-1 lead and wasn’t done yet.

Hames was limited. Hempfield had no limits.

Hames no-hit the Spartans last month, striking out 18. When Hempfield realized Hames, who warmed up and was a game-time decision by all accounts, was a no-go, they perked up and stepped up.

Backup pitcher Abby Kalkowski got the Spartans’ best.

“We were ready to rock,” Hempfield coach Tina Madison said. “We know what it’s like not having your pitcher. We played without (Riley Miller) in the semifinals (two years ago). Our energy was great today. All good things.”

Hempfield had 15 hits, including three home runs, as it won for the 10th straight time since its loss to Seneca Valley.

Junior shortstop Allie Cervola, senior designated player Hannah Uhrinek and senior right fielder Maggie Howard each had three hits, with Howard and Cervola each driving in two runs. Cervola blasted a two-run homer to left center, and senior first baseman Emily Griffith made it back-to-back bombs with a solo shot to deep right during a six-run fourth that pushed the lead to 15-1.

Sophomore catcher Ella Berkebile also homered for her first of the season. Her two-run shot came during another six-run frame that had the Spartans up 9-1.

When Hempfield faced Hames last month, they barely could get a foul tip.

This time, Howard, Griffith and Cervola got consecutive hits against her, with Cervola ripping a double.

“I thought it was an amazing team win,” Cervola said. “Riley (Miller) did such a good job pitching, and all of us strung hits together at the right time. I would definitely say it was a game to remember, and I wouldn’t want to spend it with any other people.”

Miller pitched four solid innings for Hempfield, scattering four hits and striking out six.

Seneca Valley coach Marlesse Hames has been walking the line between resting her daughter and getting her reps.

“I wanted to get my second pitcher some work in high-pressure situations against a good team,” the coach said. “I thought she did a phenomenal job. We have some things to work on defensively. This was a learning opportunity for our girls. I learned a lot today. In a way, it was like a practice game.”

Hames said her daughter, one of the top pitchers in the country, developed a knot in her shoulder last month that caused stiffness in her neck and back. She has seen limited innings in the last five games.

“It’s her range of motion,” Marlesse Hames said. “She needs to rest but also get reps. Hopefully we won’t see (Hempfield) for another three or four weeks, and by then Lexie will be fine. Like Tina (Madison) always says, it’s about getting to the game that matters.”

Kalkowski had two hits from the leadoff spot for the Raiders, who had allowed 27 hits in 16 games before this rare blowout.

Senior Anna Kalkowski, her sister’s battery mate, had an RBI single to give the Raiders a 1-0 lead in the first.

Three errors allowed Hempfield to take a 3-1 lead in the bottom half of the inning, and the Spartans were on their way.

“I have been talking to the girls about putting the ball in play,” Madison said. “If we do that, we can expose the defense.”

Miller had grown accustomed to issuing Lexie Hames intentional walks, and she did walk her early. But Miller faced her the second time through the order and got her to ground out.

Hames later doubled in a run against Spartans’ hard-throwing sophomore reliever Julia Varhola, who has seen extended time in the circle this season.

“Riley looked amazing,” Madison said. “And Julia came in and did a nice job. This is a big boost for Riley.”

This win could go a long way in determining who gets the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. Hempfield has outscored opponents 116-11.

“We have been looking forward to this game for a while now, and it was worth it,” Berkebile said. “I was super confident in our bats from the start of the game. After that first inning, I knew it was going to be a great game. I also think Riley pitched awesome and couldn’t have done any better.”

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

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