Seniors get final chance to don high school softball uniforms at Western PA All-Star Game

By: Michael Love
Friday, May 30, 2025 | 7:23 PM

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Bella Stewart and Pyper Ferres played a lot of softball together the past four springs as Burrell teammates.

They shared numerous victories and took part in three playoff trips with the Bucs.

The seniors will have one more opportunity to take the field together before they head off to college, Stewart at Washington & Jefferson and Ferres at Ohio U.

They hope to lead Team Gold to victory when many of the top senior softball players in the WPIAL gather June 24 for an all-star game at Plum High School.

“We’ve been playing together ever since we were kids, so it will be a special feeling to be on the field playing one more game with her,” Stewart said. “It will be chance for us to be together and look back on all we accomplished before we head off to college.”

The second Western PA Softball All-Star Game between Team Gold and Team Black is set for 7 p.m.

Players from throughout the WPIAL, many headed to college programs, are set for a celebration of the 2025 spring season.

“I am really excited because not everyone gets this opportunity,” Stewart said. “It’s my senior year, and it’s a special way to wrap up my final season with many of the best players in the WPIAL who are excited for the same opportunity.”

This season has reached the state playoffs as a collection of PIAA qualifiers from the WPIAL — including WPIAL champions Hempfield (Class 6A), Shaler (Class 5A), Hampton (Class 4A), Mohawk (Class 3A), Neshannock (Class 2A), and Union (Class A) — will begin play Monday afternoon and evening.

The state championship games are set for June 12-13 at Penn State.

Game coordinator Phil DiLonardo, Plum’s coach, said the game will be eight innings.

“We set it at eight as we want everyone to get at least one at-bat,” DiLonardo said. “Pitchers will pitch at least one inning each, and each (half) inning will be limited to a maximum of three runs scored so we can keep the game fun and moving along.”

DiLonardo said position players will rotate every inning or two so they will be able to enjoy the game without any pressure.

“The game is intended to be a celebration of all the hard work and dedications that the players have put in over the years,” he said, “and to represent their school one last time.”

Each player will don their school’s uniform as a nod to how it was with the MLB All-Star Game through 2019.

It is expected to be an emotional evening for Plum catcher Dani Pici, a member of Team Black, as she plays her final high school game on her home field.

Pici will continue in softball at Division II Charleston (W.Va.).

She will share Team Black catching duties with three others, including Knoch’s Grace Hensch, a Juniata commit in Division III.

The rosters for both teams are subject to change.

“Some of the girls I’ve played travel ball with are going, so it will be fun to play with and against them,” said Stewart, who will share the field as teammates with local talent such as Penn-Trafford third baseman Cam Ponko, Franklin Regional second baseman Ciara Camacho and Franklin Regional shortstop Toryn Fulton.

Team Black won last year’s game, 7-4, with Laurel’s Autumn Boyd and Norwin’s Brookelyn Kotch earning Team Black MVP honors.

Woodland Hills’ Jazalyn Sanders (offense) and Serra Catholic’s Madison Zigarovich (defense) were selected MVP’s for Team Gold.

Western Pennsylvania Softball All-Star Game

Tuesday, June 24, 2025

7 p.m.

Plum High School

Rosters

Team Black

Pitchers: Gianna Stanek, Mt. Pleasant; Peyton Gilbert, West Greene, Autumn Bielecki, West Allegheny; Rachel Ban, Armstrong; Lexie Hames, Seneca Valley.

Catchers: Dani Pici, Plum; Grace Hensch, Knoch; Katie Waggett, Carmichaels; Calle Henne, Pine-Richland

First Base: Rachel Minteer, Norwin; Addison Wrigley, North Hills

Second Base: Jordan Klingensmith, Armstrong; Ryley Shaw, Baldwin

Third Base: Olivia Hood, New Castle; Gabby Jaquay, Baldwin

Shortstop: Sydney Savatt, Avonworth; Keara Mangieri, New Castle

Outfield: Delaney O’Conner, Chartiers Valley; Jacie Hilligsberg, South Park; Kylie Mettrick, South Park; Calise Czekanski, Armstrong

Team Gold

Pitchers: Isabella Decarlo, Penn Hills; Sammy Plotsko, North Allegheny; Addy Frye, Neshannock; Julia Johnson, Elizabeth Forward; Meadow Ferri, Chartiers-Houston

Catchers: Alivia Grimm, Elizabeth Forward; Ella Richey, Chartiers-Houston; Makayla Etling, Southmoreland; Bella Stewart, Burrell

First Base: Gianna Ferrieri, Seton LaSalle; Cameran Colecchi, South Allegheny

Second Base: Ashton Batis, Carmichaels; Ciara Camacho, Franklin Regional

Third Base: Cam Ponko, Penn-Trafford; Grace Vaughn, Frazier

Shortstop: Pyper Ferres, Burrell; Toryn Fulton, Franklin Regional

Outfield: Lorryn Sepe, Penn-Trafford; Emily Spears, Shaler; Ella Nash, Shaler; Madie Cavenaugh, South Fayette

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.