Hempfield denies Seneca Valley a WPIAL softball title for third time in four seasons: ‘It’s really tough’
CALIFORNIA, Pa. — Seneca Valley missed its chance at a big inning. Hempfield did not.
That’s the short version of Wednesday’s WPIAL Class 6A softball championship game.
The Spartans scored six runs on five hits in the bottom of the fifth inning and later celebrated their second straight district title with an 11-1, six-inning victory over the Raiders at California (Pa.) University’s Lilley Field.
After scoring just one run despite having runners at first and third with none out in the top of the fifth frame, cutting Hempfield’s 2-0 lead in half, SV felt the full brunt of the Spartans’ potent offense in the bottom of the inning.
With one out, six straight batters reached base against SV starter Abby Kalkowski. Included in that run were Lauren Howard’s two-run single and a two-run double from Julia Varhola.
Kalkowski was lifted in favor of Rachael Dunmire with the Spartans up 7-1. They tacked on another run before the reliever could escape the inning.
“This was 2-1, anybody’s game,” Hempfield coach Tina Madison said. “Then things spiraled from there in our favor.”
The Spartans (21-1) added three more runs on three hits in the sixth inning to end the game via the mercy rule.
SV (15-6) had played Hempfield tough in two games during the regular season.
“I thought we were loose coming in, but there were definitely some butterflies on our end,” SV coach Joe DeCristoforo said. “Hempfield does everything well, and we made a few mistakes that they took advantage of.”
That began in the first inning when Claire Mitchell and Jayelyn Luft both singled, pulled off a double steal and scored on the first of two SV errors.
Kalkowski blanked the Spartans over the next three frames, however, and the Raiders seemed primed to take the lead when Harlee Hornick led off the fifth with a double and Liv Herrem reached on an error.
But Varhola limited the Raiders to just the one run — on Julia Valasek’s RBI single with two out — and stranded runners at first and third.
“Our pitching has been outstanding,” Madison said. “I had two girls sitting the bench today who could start for a lot of teams.”
Varhola, a senior and first-year starter in the circle, struck out four, walked none and allowed one unearned run on six hits.
“She waited her turn, and this year was her time,” Madison said.
Valasek had three hits for the Raiders. Including Hempfield’s 4-3 win over SV last month, Valasek was 5-for-7 against Varhola.
“I know she’s a really good pitcher headed to play in college (at James Madison), but I didn’t think about that,” Valasek said. “I try to not think about much at all, just get up there and hit.”
With only the WPIAL champion moving on to the state playoffs, SV’s season is done.
But the Raiders made it back to the district championship game for the fifth straight season.
“It’s really tough getting here and losing because it means our season is over,” said SV senior outfielder Paige Volz, who had two hits Wednesday. “But one player does not make a team. It’s everybody coming together and contributing. I’m proud of what we did this year.”
Hempfield’s title was its 10th all time, tying Baldwin and Sto-Rox for the most in WPIAL history.
The Spartans will face District 10 champion McDowell next week in the first round of the PIAA playoffs.
Seneca Valley 000 010 x — 1 6 2
Hempfield 200 063 x — 11 11 1
WP: Julia Varhola 6 IP (4K, 0BB)
LP: Abby Kalkowski 4.1 IP (4K, 3BB)
Seneca Valley: Julia Valasek 3-1B RBI, Paige Volz 1B 2B, Harlee Hornick 2B
Hempfield: Claire Mitchell 2-1B 2R, Jayelyn Luft 2-1B 3R, Lauren Howard 2-1B 2R 2RBI, Jocelyn Luft 1B 2B R 3RBI, Julia Varhola 2B 2RBI, Emily Bozek 1B 2RB
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Seneca Valley pitcher Rachael Dunmire (5) shows her disappointment after Hempfield scored two runs in the WPIAL Class 6A softball championship game Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at California's (Pa.) Lilley Field. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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Seneca Valley’s Neve Miller (20) is consoled after losing to Hempfield in the WPIAL Class 6A softball championship game Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at California's (Pa.) Lilley Field. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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Seneca Valley’s Maci Milosicevic (14) gets kicked in the face as Hempfield's Lauren Howard (27) slides safely into third base in the WPIAL Class 6A softball championship game Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at California's (Pa.) Lilley Field. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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Seneca Valley’s Maci Milosicevic (14) gets kicked in the face as Hempfield's Lauren Howard (27) slides safely into third base in the WPIAL Class 6A softball championship game Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at California's (Pa.) Lilley Field. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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Seneca Valley’s Abby Kalkowski (21) delivers a pitch to Hempfield in the WPIAL Class 6A softball championship game Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at California's (Pa.) Lilley Field. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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Seneca Valley’s Abby Kalkowski (21) hits the ball against Hempfield in the WPIAL Class 6A softball championship game Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at California's (Pa.) Lilley Field. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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Seneca Valley’s Olivia Herrem makes a catch at the wall against Hempfield in the WPIAL Class 6A softball championship game Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at California's (Pa.) Lilley Field. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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Seneca Valley’s Riley Poncheck (24) slides back to second base safely before Hempfield's Jocelyn Luft (18) applies the tag in the WPIAL Class 6A softball championship game Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at California's (Pa.) Lilley Field. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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Hempfield’s Jayelyn Luft (12) yells in celebration after reaching home ahead of a throw to Seneca Valley’s Neve Miller, back, in the WPIAL Class 6A softball championship game Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at California's (Pa.) Lilley Field. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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Seneca Valley’s catcher Nevi Miller catches a foul ball against Hempfield in the WPIAL Class 6A softball championship game Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at California's (Pa.) Lilley Field. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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Seneca Valley players in the dugout cheer on a batter against Hempfield in the WPIAL Class 6A softball championship game Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at California's (Pa.) Lilley Field. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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Seneca Valley’s Emry Rice (6) hits the ball against Hempfield in the WPIAL Class 6A softball championship game Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at California's (Pa.) Lilley Field. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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Seneca Valley’s Paige Volz (19) celebrates a double against Hempfield in the WPIAL Class 6A softball championship game Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at California's (Pa.) Lilley Field. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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Seneca Valley’s Rachael Dunmire (5) delivers a pitch to Hempfield in the WPIAL Class 6A softball championship game Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at California's (Pa.) Lilley Field. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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Seneca Valley’s Abby Kalkowski (21) shows her disappointment after giving up two runs in the first inning against Hempfield in the WPIAL Class 6A softball championship game Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at California's (Pa.) Lilley Field. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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Seneca Valley’s Maci Milosicevic (14) can't catch a throw as Hempfield Julia Varhola (17) slides safely into second base in the WPIAL Class 6A softball championship game Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at California's (Pa.) Lilley Field. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
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Seneca Valley’s Emry Rice (6) catches a throw at first base after a Hempfield player reaches safely at first base in the WPIAL Class 6A softball championship game Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at California's (Pa.) Lilley Field. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
