Union has become accustomed to being the hunted team in WPIAL Class A softball.
The Scotties won WPIAL and PIAA titles last spring, adding to a trophy case that also includes the 2023 and ‘25 district championships.
Though they will miss their star pitcher, the Scotties return a loaded lineup again capable of contending. But don’t count out Carmichaels, West Greene and several other teams that should be in the hunt.
Here is a look at the 2026 preseason top 5 teams, some players to watch and other diamond notes in WPIAL Class A softball.
Preseason Top 5
1. Union (23-2 last season)
The defending WPIAL and PIAA champion Scotties return three all-state players — junior catcher Irelyn Fisher (Akron commit), senior shortstop Olivia Williams (Findlay) and senior second baseman Olivia Benedict. Fisher hits .472 with 21 career homers, Williams has a .515 career average, and Benedict bats .489 with 17 career homers. Union will miss graduate Mia Preuhs (Canisius), a three-time Trib HSSN Class A player of the year who went 16-2 with an 0.81 ERA and 229 strikeouts and hit .460 with nine homers and 38 RBIs. She was the state’s Class A pitcher of the year last season. The Scotties also lost outfielder Addison Nogay (Fairmont) to graduation.
2. Carmichaels (16-2)
Carmichaels won Section 2 at 10-0 and was WPIAL runner-up last season after averaging 8.8 runs per game. The Mighty Mikes were PIAA runners-up in 2024 and also district silver medalists in 2023. They return senior first-team all-state pitcher Bailey Barnyak (IUP), senior all-state shortstop Carys McConnell and all-state first baseman Ashton Batis, as well as all-section DP Ke’Lani Chun. Carmichaels graduated all-state catcher Kaitlyn Waggett (Cal (Pa.)).
3. West Greene (16-5)
West Greene was second in Section 2 last season and advanced to the PIAA tournament after finishing third in the WPIAL. The Pioneers return six starters, including all-state shortstop Kendra Tharp, who knocked in 20 runs and scored 21 last season. Emmaline Beazell was an all-section third baseman after batting .339 with 24 RBIs. They graduated all-state pitcher Payton Gilbert (Cal (Pa.)) and all-state outfielder Marissa Tharp.
4. Serra Catholic (13-6)
Serra Catholic was a co-Section 3 champion with a lineup that averaged 8.6 runs per game. The Eagles reached the quarterfinals before falling to Carmichaels. Senior pitcher Kelly Morrissey, junior catcher Keyara Watkins and junior infielder Alonna Morton earned all-section recognition last spring.
5. Jeannette (13-5)
The Jayhawks shared the Section 3 title at 11-1 and reached the WPIAL quarterfinals last season. Back is senior all-state pitcher Grace Stein (Pitt-Greensburg). She had a 14-5 record with a 1.04 ERA and 196 strikeouts while also hitting .417 with three homers, eight doubles and 23 RBIs. Jeannette also returns senior all-section infielder Abigail Shaw (.411).
Players to watch
Charlotte Andrews, so., P, Sewickley Academy
Bailey Barnyak, sr., P, Carmichaels
Emilee Bazzoli, jr., P, Jefferson-Morgan
Emmaline Beazell, sr., C, West Greene
Olivia Benedict, sr., INF, Union
Ke’Lani Chun, so., DP, Carmichaels
Grace Clingenpeel, sr., C, Monessen
Emma DeLong, so., INF, South Side
Irelyn Fisher, jr., C, Union
Julia Katwaroo, sr., OF, Monessen
Keira Lamp, jr., OF, Beth-Center
Carys McConnell, sr., INF, Carmichaels
Kelly Morrissey, sr., P, Serra Catholic
Alonna Morton, jr., INF, Serra Catholic
Ariel Poelcher, so., C, South Side
Abigail Shaw, sr., INF, Jeannette
Marley Shiflett, sr., OF, Mapletown
Grace Stein, sr., P, Jeannette
Maya Ringhoff, jr., P, South Side
Kendra Tharp, sr., INF, West Greene
Keyara Watkins, jr., C, Serra Catholic
Kendall Welsh, jr., INF, Beth-Center
Olivia Williams, sr., INF, Union
Diamond notes
• Sewickley Academy (11-6) reached the playoffs with a young lineup last season. Back are sophomore catcher Gabby Edmunds (.512, 22 RBIs) and sophomore pitcher Charlotte Andrews (9-4, 3.63 ERA, 141 strikeouts). Other returning starters include juniors Keira Church (SS) and Sophie Crichton (1B) and seniors Sanaa Grant (2B) and V.J. Jeevan (OF).
• Six starters return for South Side (11-8), which reached the quarterfinals after averaging 9.5 runs per game. Ariel Poelcher, Emma Delong and Maya Ringoff were all-section selections.
• Bishop Canevin (3-11) has five starters back, including captains Macie McClain and Lia Pilarski.
• Rochester (1-14) is looking to improve with an influx of freshman to form a larger roster that includes four returning starters.
• Jefferson-Morgan (10-8) was the third-place team in Section 2 last season. The Rockets return all-section pitcher Emilee Bazzoli.
• Beth-Center (2-12) has six starters returning, including all-section outfielder Keira Lamp and all-section shortstop Kendall Welsh (Cal (Pa.)).
• All-section shortstop Marley Shiflett is among four starters back for Mapletown (3-12).
• Leechburg (8-9), which has reached the WPIAL playoffs for a record 38 straight seasons, will be led by senior pitcher Addie Zanotto. She had a .521 average and 24 RBIs last season and also was 9-8 with 110 strikeouts in the circle.
• Monessen (6-9) will rely on fourth-year starting pitcher Joey Hurst, a Cal (Pa.) commit.
• Section 3 will have just five teams, as Greensburg Central Catholic (6-7) will not play a WPIAL schedule this season, and St. Joseph (0-13) is playing as a co-op with Highlands.
• The top four finishers in each section qualify for the WPIAL playoffs.
2026 alignment
Section 1: Bishop Canevin, Cornell, Rochester, Sewickley Academy, South Side, Union
Section 2: Avella, Beth-Center, Carmichaels, Jefferson-Morgan, Mapletown, West Greene
Section 3: Ellis School, Jeannette, Leechburg, Monessen, Serra Catholic