Hempfield is back on top of WPIAL Class 6A softball.
The Spartans captured their ninth district championship Thursday afternoon with a 1-0 victory over Seneca Valley at Norwin.
It was another nip-and-tuck defensive struggle between rivals who have chewed on each other for four years.
Both teams had won five games against each other since they began facing off in Class 6A in 2022. Hempfield (21-1) broke the tie with a championship effort.
The title game was pushed back a day due to Wednesday’s rainout at Cal (Pa.) and moved to an alternate site due to three more championships Thursday at Cal’s Lilley Field.
Hempfield made the most of the different atmosphere, celebrating with family and fans on the turf infield.
The Spartans scored in the bottom of the first inning, producing a rare earned run against ace pitcher Lexie Hames, and kept the Raiders confined to the bases all day to produce their second title in three years.
Defending champion Seneca Valley (16-4), which was seeking its third WPIAL title in four years, had seven hits, one more than Hempfield, and stranded 12 runners in Hames’ final prep game.
Kent State recruit Riley Miller tossed a complete-game shutout for Hempfield, earning her fifth win against Hames, a Clemson commit who struck out nine and finished her career with 940 Ks.
Abigail McGill and Emily Bozek each had two hits for the Spartans, with Allie Cervola knocking in the only run.
UMBC commit Claire Mitchell led off the first with a single, moved to second on a passed ball and stole second before scoring on Cervola’s hit.
Hames was walked intentionally four times.
The Raiders left the bases loaded in the first. Hempfield did the same in the sixth.
Paige Volz and Bella Gross each had three hits for Seneca Valley.
Hempfield returns to the PIAA playoffs and could host a first-round game Monday against State College (11-8).
The Spartans edged the Raiders, 2-1 in eight innings, to win the 2023 title at Cal.
Seven of Hempfield’s titles have come in the last 10 years.
This story will be updated.