Trib HSSN Softball Team of the Week for May 6, 2024

By: Don Rebel
Monday, May 6, 2024 | 11:53 PM

Purchase Photo Options

Trib HSSN softball team of the week – Hempfield Spartans

Coach: Tina Madison (3rd season)

Record: 14-1 in Class 6A, 16-1 overall

#Earned: Hempfield began a busy week with an eight-game winning streak and ended a stretch of four games in five days with 12 consecutive victories. Following a Monday whitewash of Baldwin, 10-0, the Spartans geared up for the rematch with section championship ramifications against front running Seneca Valley. With Clemson recruit Lexie Hames unable to start due to injury, Hempfield went to town with an incredible offensive performance, pounding out 15 hits to forge a tie for first place and likely the section crown, 15-2. There was no immediate letdown the next day as Hempfield blanked Pine-Richland, 10-0; however, on Friday, the Spartans dug themselves a hole and trailed 8-2 before rallying to edge the Rams, 10-9.

Standout performers: Sophomore Julia Varhola picked up the shutout win Monday thanks to three hits and a home run by senior Hannah Uhrinek and three hits and three RBIs by senior Emily Griffith. In the big win against Seneca Valley on Wednesday, junior Allie Cervola, senior Maggie Howard and Uhrinek each had three hits while Cervola, Griffith and sophomore Ella Berkebile all hit home runs for the Spartans. On Thursday, junior Riley Miller pitched a five inning, two-hit shutout while Howard had three hits and Uhrinek and Griffith homered in a 10-0 rout of Pine-Richland. Miller’s bat did the talking the next day as she delivered a walk-off double in the bottom of the seventh inning for the comeback win over the Rams. Sophomore Claire Mitchell, Cervola and Griffith all homered for Hempfield.

Last year: 2023 was another banner year for Hempfield softball. The Spartans finished the regular season with a 16-3 record in second place in Class 6A behind defending champion Seneca Valley. The Spartans beat rival Norwin in the district semifinals to face the Raiders in a rematch of a 2022 6A semifinal won by SV. Then-sophomore pitcher Riley Miller allowed one run on four hits while striking out 11 as the Spartans defeated the Raiders in eight innings, 2-1. Following PIAA playoff wins over Mifflin County, Downingtown East and Cumberland Valley, Hempfield lost in the state championship game to District 1 power North Penn, 1-0.

Remember when: Last year was WPIAL championship No. 8 for Hempfield softball, tying for second most in district history with Chartiers-Houston, two each behind Baldwin and Sto-Rox. The Spartans’ first championship came 26 years ago when Hempfield defeated Connellsville to win the 1998 Class 3A championship, 3-0. Hempfield had a freshman phenom in Tina Skelly, now their head coach. Skelly also helped Hempfield capture its first PIAA championship a year later in 1999. Five years ago, the Spartans captured their fifth straight WPIAL championship, ending one of the most dominant diamond runs with five consecutive district crowns from 2015-2019.

2024 Trib HSSN Softball Teams of the Week

Week 4 – Chartiers-Huston Buccaneers

Week 3 – West Allegheny Indians

Week 2 – Elizabeth Forward Warriors

Week 1 – Ellwood City Wolverines