Very few softball teams in all of the state have enjoyed the success of West Point. The program added to its rich history this summer, as the 12U team won both the Pennsylvania and Mid-Atlantic Regional titles, reaching the Little League World Series.

After sweeping Bullskin Township in a best-of-three series in early July, West Point advanced to the Pennsylvania Senior League tournament in Wellsboro. West Point surprisingly dropped a game to fall to the loser’s bracket of the double-elimination tournament, but the team rallied from there. West Point captured five straight wins, including a 5-3 victory in the title game against Indiana/Clymer/Marion Center. In winning the 39th state title in West Point history, pitcher Lexi Stabile racked up 14 strikeouts in a complete-game effort.

From there, West Point captured the Mid-Atlantic Regional, going 3-0 in the bracket in Bristol, Connecticut. In the process, West Point twice defeated New York, the reigning World Series champions. West Point opened the double-elimination tournament with a 6-0 win against New York, a team that hails from Massapequa. Two days later, West Point ousted Brunswick, Maryland 3-0. They capped off their stellar week with a 5-1 triumph in a rematch against New York.

West Point suffered a 2-1 setback in its opening contest at the Little League World Series. The squad fell to Willcox (Arizona) in the double-elimination tournament in Greenville, North Carolina. Morgan Maiers notched the lone RBI for West Point on an infield single, scoring Piper Hoppel. Jaylyn Luft was the hard-luck loser in the circle for West Point, as she permitted just three hits, issuing a pair of walks while striking out four.

After dropping that game, though, West Point strung together three wins in a row, as the team claimed a 2-1 triumph against Italy, edged Bacolod City (Philippines) 2-0, and smacked Cranston Western (Rhode Island) 10-0 in four innings to reach the brink of the title game.

However, West Point saw its incredible run end with a loss on Aug. 11, a 1-0 defeat to Pitt County (North Carolina). Thus, West Point finished the year one win shy of reaching the championship game. Stabile was the tough-luck loser in the circle, as she allowed just four hits, issuing three walks while compiling three strikeouts. Rian Starz, Jayelyn Luft, and Lily Carroll collected hits for West Point.

To help recognize their memorable season, West Point 12U softball will be granted the Shining Stars recognition, entailing a $500 contribution courtesy of Smail Kia in Greensburg and the Westmoreland Sports Network.

ABOUT SHINING STARS: Shining Stars is a program formed by Westmoreland Sports Network and Smail Kia in Greensburg to recognize and support Westmoreland County student-athletes whose academics, community and athletic excellence shines the brightest. Two teams will be chosen as Shining Stars each season throughout the year with both receiving funding to assist their booster programs. The program has now donated over $10,000 to help local teams.