Norwin softball hungry for another taste of WPIAL success

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, March 22, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Norwin softball coach Brian Mesich also is an athletic trainer in the district.

His team may have lost an abundance of talent from a WPIAL runner-up finish, but Mesich came back to tape things up and make another go at it.

“Expectations are always the same,” said Mesich, who has been leading the Knights since 2015 and has over 100 wins. “But the girls getting a taste of the finals has increased their desire to improve and maintain a standard.”

Norwin upset top-seeded and returning champion Hempfield, 5-2, in the semifinals to reach the title game in 6A for the first time.

Despite a strong start, fifth-seeded Norwin gave up four unanswered runs in a 4-3 loss to Seneca Valley and all-everything pitcher Lexie Hames, a Clemson commit.

With only the WPIAL champion going to the PIAA playoffs, underdog Norwin packed up and went home with its 10-11 record.

Star shortstop Bailey Snowberger moved on to play at Division I Maine, while infielder Josey Michalski and pitcher Brookelyn Kotch also graduated.

Mesich knows that trio will be tough to replace, but he hopes the playoff experience rubbed off on the returnees.

“Hard work and taking advantage of reps makes a difference,” the coach said.

Top players back for the Knights include versatile seniors Izzy Deering and Rachel Minteer, who will lead an unassuming group.

Juniors Abbie Telli (P/IF), Lily Holtzman (C/IF) and Addison Grimes (OF) return, along with sophomores Maddy Kugler (IN/OF) and Diem Wardzinski (IN/OF). Others looking to make an impact include juniors Miley Harrison (P) and Graci Castelli (C/IF) and freshmen Makenna Black (C) and Chloe Bavolar.

Norwin started the season 0-2 with losses to Fox Chapel (5-4) and Latrobe (12-2).

As far as this team’s identity is concerned compared to last year, that may not have changed much.

Defensive fundamentals are a staple in Messich’s approach.

“Same as it has always been,” he said. “Scrappy and maybe more athletic.”

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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