“It’s about a legacy. Each team wants to uphold the tradition of success set by the teams that came before them.” The statement by athletic director Brandon Rapp defines Hempfield Area Softball.
The community around Hempfield Area High School may view our hometown softball team as a powerhouse team consisting of an overwhelming amount of talent who happen to play well together, but there is so much more to it. This program has clinched 9 WPIAL Championships and 4 PIAA State titles in all, but the most recent WPIAL Championship felt different.
On May 29, 2025, The Lady Spartans stormed the pitchers mound with much relief and ease of emotion after 2025 graduate Riley Miller struck out the batter for the last out of the game, advancing the team to the State Quarterfinal. Seneca Valley and Hempfield Area have had years of rivalries with two outstanding pitchers, meaning that games could go either way, any given day.
An end to the 2024-25 softball season marked the end of countless memories that will be forever remembered. Upcoming senior Raegan Reamer speaks about the championship game, “My favorite memory was winning the WPIAL alongside some of my best friends. The entire game was such a surreal experience, and I am grateful to share this memory with my favorite people.”
With great success comes countless hours, days, and months of dedication to get better and be better than you were when you came into the gym. This statement is shown through decades of female athletes through Hempfeld Area softball. Following in the footsteps of last year’s three college commits: Riley Miller (Kent State), Allie Cervola (Ohio University), and Morgan Walt (Waynesburg,) This season there will be 5 returning senior commits: Ella Berkebile (Bucknell University), Lauren Howard (University of Virginia), Emily Bozek (IUP), Julia Varhola (JMU), and Claire Mitchell (Marist University).
The softball pre-season conditioning starts the first week in January, following fall ball in October. The season begins the first week of March, and shortly after, they will be competing in Florida before section play begins.
As the team moves forward, everyone is optimistic about what’s to come in the future. Coach Tina Madison passionately states, “I’m excited for this upcoming season with a large group of starters to lead the way to another championship season. The team will look a little differently with new faces; however, the talent and mindset will stay the same”.
