Slick-fielding Hempfield shortstop Allie Cervola picks Ohio

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Thursday, October 12, 2023 | 7:55 PM

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Hempfield doesn’t just have a history of winning WPIAL and PIAA championships in softball.

The program also has a track record for producing Division I college talent.

The latest player to commit to a high-level program is junior Allie Cervola.

A shortstop who has played catcher previously for the Spartans, Cervola announced Thursday she will play at Ohio University.

Hempfield coach Tina Madison said Cervola is “a defensive star” at shortstop, her best position. Her glove played an important role in last year’s WPIAL championship run for Hempfield, which finished second in the state in 6A.

“Allie is the heart of our team,” Madison said. “Personality for days.”

SO EXCITED to announce my commitment to Ohio University???????????????? #ouohyeah @OhioBobcatSB @Hall_J_4 @PiperSwiper @DarrickBrown23 pic.twitter.com/AuyjvnSvmc

— allie cervola (@AllieCervola) October 12, 2023

An initial visit to Ohio clinched the deal for Cervola.

“When I went for the first time, it just clicked that it was the school for me,” she said. “The campus is extremely nice and I also really like the coaches.

“It’s super exciting to commit to a D-1 school because all of my hard work has paid off and I am finally living the dream I have always had. It truly means a lot because not many people get this opportunity and I have been fortunate enough to be blessed with it.”

Cervola plays travel softball for Team Pennsylvania (18U) Hall, which is loaded with WPIAL talent. It also includes Franklin Regional junior Toryn Fulton (South Florida) and Thomas Jefferson junior Zoe Krizan (Drexel).

“Allie is one of the smoothest shortstops that I have ever coached,” Team Hall coach Richelle Hall said. “Her glove work and ability to make elite level plays look routine is one of her biggest strengths.”

Other Hempfield girls and Division I commits Maggie Howard (Georgetown) and Peyton Heisler (Penn) also played for Team Hall.

Ohio already has a key player on its roster from Hempfield in junior catcher Emma Hoffner.

“Emma definitely reassured me that Ohio is a great place to go to, and she definitely is an amazing player,” Cervola said. “This makes me glad I have someone that I can trust in this decision. I am very thankful for her throughout my recruiting process.”

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

Tags: Hempfield