Talented lineup returns for Sewickley Academy softball

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, March 15, 2026 | 11:01 AM

The 2025 season was filled with highlights for the Sewickley Academy softball team.

The Panthers started out 7-0 and 9-1 and ended up qualifying for the WPIAL Class A playoffs. They tied for second place with South Side in Section 1-A, finishing behind only Union, the WPIAL and PIAA champion.

Sewickley landed the No. 4 seed for the district playoffs and finished as a quarterfinalist after blanking Monessen, 15-0, in the first round.

The Panthers entered the postseason as the second-best offensive team in Class A, averaging 9.6 runs per game and topped only by Union (12 rpg).

And the Sewickley softballers wrapped up the regular season with a .386 team batting average, led by then-seniors Marie Bigi (CF) and Quincy Sirko (3B), who hit a robust .595 and .535, respectively.

As a freshman catcher in 2025, Gabby Edmunds batted .512 with 11 doubles and 22 RBIs. She also racked up a .902 slugging percentage and scored 21 times.

Charlotte Andrews, a freshman pitcher in ‘25 and a potential Division I prospect, compiled a 9-4 regular-season record with one save, a 3.63 ERA and 141 strikeouts in 63 2/3 innings.

Sewickley coach Bob Sirka is certainly hoping this year’s club creates its own identity with another season filled with team and individual highlights.

Along with the two sophomores — Edmunds and Andrews — returning starters include juniors Keira Church (SS) and Sophie Crichton (1B) and seniors Sanaa Grant (2B) and V.J. Jeevan (OF).

Grant (.361) and Crichton (.333) were two of the team’s leading hitters a year ago. Crichton drew 14 walks and registered 19 stolen bases.

Three additional letter winners among the nine on this year’s squad are sophomores Layla Miller (OF/1B) and Willow Simmons (OF) and senior Persaya Williams (OF). Varsity newcomers include junior Cherish Wilson (OF/2B) and a pair of freshmen prospects, Alana Spencer (3B/OF) and Sutton Rea (OF).

Sewickley is scheduled to open the season March 27 with a section game at Rochester.

The Panthers finished 11-6 overall last season.

Tags: Sewickley Academy