Westmoreland County athletes of the week: Hempfield’s Lauren Howard and Norwin’s Nathan Silberman

By: Bill Beckner Jr. And Paul Schofield
Saturday, May 24, 2025 | 5:22 PM

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Lauren Howard

School: Hempfield

Class: Junior

Sport: Softball

Claim to fame: Howard, a Virginia commit, finished 4 for 4 with a double, triple and three RBIs as top-seeded Hempfield (20-1) defeated Canon-McMillan, 8-2, in the WPIAL 6A semifinals. Hempfield will face Seneca Valley on Wednesday for the WPIAL championship. Howard, a versatile second baseman, is slashing .655/.700/1.207 with 21 singles, seven doubles, five triples and five home runs. She leads the team with 36 RBIs and 21 stolen bases. She also has 32 runs scored.

How does it feel to get to the WPIAL championship game?

It is super exciting. Winning the championship two years ago was one of my favorite softball memories, so I am looking forward to being able to compete for a title again.

Why is Hempfield-Seneca Valley always such a good game?

Because both teams are very talented and competitive.

What will it take for Hempfield to win its ninth WPIAL title?

We will need to just continue playing our game. We will need to focus on winning every inning and stay focused until the end.

Is Lexie Hames the best pitcher you have faced?

I have faced a lot of great pitchers in my softball career, and she is one of them.

How bad does the team want to get into the PIAA playoffs?

Our team wanted to reach the PIAA playoffs very badly (last year), especially after an unfortunate loss early in the WPIAL (playoffs). We are eager for a long state run this year.

You have had a great season offensively. Did you make any adjustments to your swing?

I have really focused on hitting line drives and ground balls this year. Making solid contact is the most important thing, and extra bases will come from solid contact.

Hempfield has six Division I college players. How do you all manage to work so well together?

We are all super close on and off the softball field, which helps our team chemistry. Also, we all have the same goal and are willing to work hard together to achieve it. Many of us have also played together since we started travel ball at 10 years old.

Who is the most competitive player on your team?

I think Allie (Cervola) is the most competitive person on our team. She always pushes our team to be the best.

How do you like playing second base and why has the 3-4 hole worked out so well for you?

I really enjoy second base, especially with Riley (Miller) pitching there are a lot of balls hit to me. Playing in the 3-4 hole has seemed to work well, so I liked to shift that way.

What is your favorite breakfast, lunch and dinner?

My favorite breakfast is pancakes, my favorite lunch is a grilled cheese and my favorite dinner is crab cakes.

What did you learn from watching your sister, Maggie, play softball?

I learned to always work hard. My sister was always putting in extra work outside of practice, which inspired me to follow her because of how it positively affected her game. She also contributed to my love for the game through the positive attitude she always had.

Where does your nickname, “Lou” come from?

When I was on my first travel team, there were two Laurens so my mom told my coach that she calls me “Lu Lu” sometimes, and my coach just shortened it to Lou and it seemed to stick.

Before I step into the batter’s box I … ?

I take a deep breath and try to be focused.

Coach Tina Madison’s best advice is … ?

Coach Tina is very competitive and really encourages us to compete and give our best effort in every game and practice. She lets us play our game, have fun and is really good at asking us players for advice and input.

What is your favorite movie and who is your favorite actor?

“Titanic” and Peyton List.

Dunkin’ or Starbucks?

Starbucks.

Gatorade or Powerade?

Gatorade.

Online shopping or go to the mall?

Online shopping.

Do you have any pets?

Yes, I have a dog named Bailey.

Why do you wear No. 27?

When I was 7, I guested for my sister’s softball team and they gave me some girl’s jersey with the number 27 and I kept the number.

Who or what is your greatest inspiration?

My sister.

What other sports are you secretly good at?

I play volleyball and run track at the high school. I am secretly good at pickleball.

What is your ideal NIL deal?

Alani.

How did Virginia do this season?

Virginia did very good this season. They finished with a winning record and made the NCAA Tournament.

Nathan Silberman

School: Norwin

Class: Senior

Sport: Baseball

Claim to fame: With Norwin trailing Hempfield 4-3 in the bottom of the sixth of the WPIAL Class 6A semifinals, Silberman delivered a bases-clearing double as part of a four-run inning for the Knights. The senior shortstop finished the game with two doubles and four RBIs. No. 4 Norwin (14-8) will take on No. 2 Seneca Valley (15-6) for the WPIAL title Tuesday.

After four years with no playoff wins, your team is in the championship game for the first time since 2016. What has it taken to gut out some of these close games?

Just an urgency and energy and just all the team coming together as one. … Having the energy in the dugout goes a long way. It may seem small to some people, but it goes a long, long way. … In practice, we do situations. We work pretty much every single situation possible, and just to put us in the right mindset and know what to do in that situation, so that when the time comes … we know what we’re doing.

You’ve been excellent at the plate all season (16-29, 14 RBIs, 6 doubles). How have you been able to carry that over into the playoffs?

Just having the confidence that I’ve been playing this game, and I’ve put so much work in and understanding that the work that I put in is going to pay off.

What was your team’s mindset heading into the bottom of the sixth trailing 4-3 in the semifinals against Hempfield?

Just a trust in everyone. This team has a great bond with each other. … And we knew that as soon as the first person, I don’t remember if it was a walk or a hit, but as soon as the first person (Ryan Helphenstine) got on, we knew that this was our inning. We needed to get it here, and we had trust. The energy was hot, and we went and got it. And it was an awesome feeling.

What gave you the confidence when you got up to hit that you could make a game-changing play?

Trust in all the work that I’ve put in. We put in so much work with, like, even the coaching staff … He threw me a high and in fastball, and having the trust that I could get there, and I have quick hands, just to get my hands out and barrel a baseball.

This will be your first time facing Seneca Valley this year. How do you think your team matches up with the No. 2 seed?

I think it will be a good game. We’ve played them a couple years before. We fell down by, I think, like one or two, but I think it’ll be a really, really good game. It’s definitely something that everybody should come out and watch.

How can your team best position itself to win Norwin’s third WPIAL title?

Just staying simple. Just staying to what we’ve been doing all year. Having the confidence and having trust in our teammates and all coming in as one and working as a team and just chip away, and I think we’ll come out with a win.

How long have you been playing baseball? What got you started in the sport?

I’ve been playing baseball for probably around 14 years, and I’ll give that credit to probably my older brother and my dad. My older brother played a lot of baseball when he was little, and he would take me to the cages. He always wanted me to play baseball, and I just fell in love with the sport, and just even the work that I put in, like I love doing it. They say you got to love it to do it.

Do you plan on going to college? Is baseball a part of that decision-making process?

I’m committed right now to Seton Hill University, and I am continuing my baseball career. I’m actually really excited to get up there and work with Seton Hill.

Do you have a favorite MLB team?

I’ve always watched the Atlanta Braves. I know Ronald Acuna just came back. He’s one of my favorite players.

Why the Braves?

It’s a cool story, but there was a little bet that I had with my older brother, and I don’t remember the team, but the Atlanta Braves were playing somebody, and I like, bet on the Atlanta Braves with him, and they won. That kind of (just made me say) ‘that’s my team.’

What is your favorite memory from playing baseball? How about as a fan watching it?

I would say probably Cooperstown, from when I was 12. Most of the team that I’m actually with now in high school I’ve had since Cooperstown. So that’s why we have such a great bond. And just like the memory of being there and taking it all in and just being with my teammates and playing the sport that I love. … Not a lot of people love watching baseball, (but) I could watch it 24/7. I just love watching it, especially college baseball. I know college tournaments are on now, and I watch them all the time. I love watching the sport and playing it, obviously.

Outside of baseball, what are some of your other hobbies?

Me being a senior right now, I’m trying to just take it all in with my friends before they go off. I like to go hang out with friends, like have a fire, and then I lift with my one buddy. Then, I’ll go to the cages with some of the team, just, you know, take your mind off of things — go hit a couple baseballs, catch a couple barrels.

Tags: Hempfield