Hempfield softball advances to semis

For the second year in a row, Hempfield Area softball has advanced to the final four in the state. The Spartans moved on to the PIAA Class 6A semifinals, courtesy of a pair of wins last week. Last Monday, the WPIAL Champions edged District 10 Champion McDowell 8-6 in Erie, and the Spartans followed with a 4-0 triumph against District 3 runner-up Chambersburg on Thursday at the Windber Sports Complex. In the first round, Jayelyn Luft, Emily Bozek, and Ella Berkebile each had a pair of hits, while Jocelyn Luft posted two runs batted in. Three days later, Julia Varhola notched the shutout in the circle, throwing seven innings, allowing three hits and issuing two walks, while striking out 11, while Jocelyn Luft had two hits, including a two-run homer. As a result, the Spartans improved to 23-1, and will face District 3 Champion Central Dauphin today at 4 p.m. at Philipsburg Osceola Area High School.

GCC baseball falls in heartbreaker

Greensburg Central Catholic baseball saw its season end in heartbreak last Monday, as the Centurions fell 11-10 in nine innings against Claysburg-Kimmel in the PIAA Class 1A first round. GCC held an 8-1 edge on the host Bulldogs in the third inning, but starting pitcher Alec Martin left the game due to injury later that frame. In the defeat, Anthony Grippo smacked a grand slam, Tyler Samide had a pair of doubles and two RBIs, and Wil Bateson had three hits and two runs batted in. For Claysburg-Kimmel, Dustin Slowik, Mason Campana, and Paydden Knisley each had three hits. After winning their first 17 games, the Centurions concluded the season with consecutive losses.

Westmoreland players tabbed for softball all-star game

Always a hotbed for softball, Westmoreland County will be well represented at the Western PA Softball All-Star Game later this month. Six players from the area were selected for the third-annual game, which will be held at Plum High School at 7:15 p.m. June 16. On the Gold Team roster is Grace Stein of Jeannette and Kiski Area’s Alyssa Perona. The Black Team consists of Hempfield Area’s Emily Bozek, Torrie DeStefano of Penn-Trafford, Norwin’s Abbie Telli, and Yough’s Anna Lindner. Moreover, former Franklin Regional coach Jim Armstrong will serve as one of the coaches of the Black Team.

SVC’s Walters garners academic honor

After recently wrapping up a terrific college athletic career, Saint Vincent College’s Caroline Walters received a significant accolade last week. Walters, a two-sport star for the Bearcats, was selected as a Third-Team Academic All-American by the College Sports Communicators. Walters registered the most career wins in the history of Bearcats women’s tennis, and she was also an All-PAC performer in women’s lacrosse. In the classroom, she achieved a perfect 4.0 grade-point average. Although she was homeschooled in high school, she competed athletically for Greater Latrobe.