Penn Hills’ Isabella DeCarlo caps high school softball career on high note

By: Josh Rizzo
Sunday, July 27, 2025 | 11:46 AM

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Isabella DeCarlo being asked by Team Gold to throw two innings in June during the Western Pennsylvania Softball All-Star game at Plum High School meant the world to her. The Penn Hills graduate ended a difficult senior season with two solid memories.

DeCarlo no-hit Woodland Hills on Senior Night to help the Indians cap a 3-16 season with a 17-0 win over the Wolverines.

During the all-star game, DeCarlo scored a run to help Team Gold earn a 7-5 win over Team Black. She also pitched two innings, working a clean fifth inning.

“It means the world to me, honestly,” DeCarlo said. “The season we had was hard. As much as I love my girls, it was hard. There were over 140 girls that signed up for this. Being able to be picked out of that means everything.”

DeCarlo, who will attend CCAC this year, recorded 67 strikeouts during her senior season. She also hit .355 and had a .909 fielding percentage.

First-year Penn Hills coach Michelle Stiller was proud of her leadership ability. Penn Hills having a young roster made life difficult in a section that produced teams that found success in the WPIAL playoffs.

Shaler won the section and went on to win the WPIAL championship. Fox Chapel and North Hills also produced wins in the playoffs.

“She embodied everything you could ever want in a senior captain: calm under pressure, competitive and always putting the team first,” Stiller said. “Her positive attitude on the mound was noticed by coaches and players throughout our section, earning her the title of second-team all-section pitcher in a fiercely competitive 5A section.”

DeCarlo reached base in an unorthodox manner during the fourth inning of the all-star game. She hit a ground ball toward right field that bounced off the foot of a teammate.

“Honestly, I thought I was out at first,” DeCarlo said. “When he said I was safe, it made me feel good.”

DeCarlo would end up scoring when Franklin Regional’s Ciara Camacho hit into a fielder’s choice with the bases loaded.

“We had good energy,” DeCarlo said. “We were cheering each other on the whole time, and that was a big factor in it.”

Tags: Penn Hills