Class 6Asoftball championship

2-Seneca Valley (15-5) vs. 1-Hempfield (20-1)

4:30 p.m. Wednesday at Lilley Field, Cal (Pa.) University, California

On the air: Trib HSSN audio, NFHS video

WPIAL titles: Seneca Valley 4 (2024, 2022, 1999, 1992); Hempfield 9 (2025, 2023, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2009, 1998)

Hempfield (20-1)

Coach: Tina Madison

Projected starting lineup

20, Claire Mitchell, CF, sr.

12, Jaylyn Luft, DP, fr.

27, Lauren Howard, SS, sr.

22, Ella Berkebile, C, sr.

18, Jocelyn Luft, 2B, fr.

17, Julia Varhola, P, sr.

11, Emma Rigby, LF, jr.

16, Emily Bozek, 1B, sr.

1, Abby Magill, RF, jr.

How they got here: After a quarterfinal bye, Hempfield defeated Canon-McMillan, 13-0 (five innings) in semifinals.

Notable: This is a WPIAL finals rematch after Hempfield won last year, 1-0, in a title game played at Norwin, not Cal, because the schedule was backed up and the schools had graduations on consecutive nights. They also played in the 2023 final with Hempfield winning 2-1 in eight innings on a home run by Mia Bandiermonte. Hempfield is looking for three titles in four years. … Hempfield has been dominant, outscoring teams 215-39 with 13 run-rule wins. … The Spartans took care of No. 4 Canon-McMillan in the semifinals, 13-0 in five innings, behind a 17-hit attack. James Madison commit Julia Varhola (15-1, 2.05 ERA, 147 Ks) and Jayelyn Luft (4-0, 0.65 ERA) combined on a no-hitter, with Varhola going 3 for 3 at the plate with a triple and five RBIs. Virginia commit Lauren Howard (29 RBI, 30 runs) also went 3 for 3 with a double, triple and five RBIs, and Jocelyn Luft (.515, 22 RBIs) had two doubles and two RBIs. Jayelyn Luft (.494, 38 hits) added three singles. … Hempfield won both section games against the Raiders, 5-2 and 4-3. First baseman Emily Bozek (20 RBIs) went 2 for 3 in last year’s championship. Marist commit Claire Mitchell (.419, 24 RBIs) and Abby Magill (22 runs) also had hits. Mitchell scored the lone run. … Magill has 17 stolen bases and Mitchell has 16. The Spartans have 18 straight wins and have not lost to a 6A team since last year’s PIAA playoffs. Hempfield can tie the WPIAL record for softball titles held by Baldwin and Sto-Rox if it can win its 10th championship.

Seneca Valley (15-5)

Coach: Joe DeCristoforo, Seneca Valley

6, Emry Rice, 2B, sr.

12, Julia Valasek, LF, jr.

21, Abby Kalkowski, P, sr.

20, Neve Miller, C, sr.

19, Paige Volz, RF, sr.

16, Riley Geyer, 3B, fr.

32, Harlee Hornick, 1B, so.

4, Olivia Herrem, CF, jr.

14, Maci Milosicevic, SS, so.

How they got here: After a quarterfinal bye, Seneca Valley defeated Pine-Richland, 13-2 (six innings), in semifinals

Notable: Seneca Valley returns to the finals for the fifth straight time as it chases its third title in five years. This one comes in the post-Lexie Hames era with the star pitcher now at Clemson. … The Raiders defeated No. 6 Pine-Richland, 13-2 (six innings) in the semifinals after a quarterfinal bye. They had 14 hits, led by Neve Miller, who was 3 for 4 with a home run and four RBIs. Gannon commit Abby Kalkowski (.397, 6 HR, 27 RBIs), the No. 1 pitcher, also homered and drove in three. Paige Volz (.455, 30 hits, 27 RBIs) had two hits and two RBIs and Herrem drove in two. Kalkowski allowed nine hits and struck out three. Volz was 3 for 3 in last year’s final. … Miller, a Waynesburg commit, has nine doubles, five homers and 26 RBIs. Emry Rice has a team-best 19 runs. Hempfield is the only 6A team to beat the Raiders this season. … Only the winner will advance to the PIAA playoffs, which open June 1.