Win the fifth.
Celebrate the 10th.
Hempfield likes to put emphasis on what happens in the fifth inning. That’s the frame the team believes is pivotal to outcomes.
“Win the fifth, and you can win games,” shortstop Lauren Howard said.
Top-seeded Hempfield didn’t just win the fifth Wednesday night against No. 2 Seneca Valley, it dominated it, owned it and stamped it with six runs on the way to tying a WPIAL championship record.
The Spartans (21-1) went back to back and equaled the league mark for softball championships with their 10th as they cruised past the Raiders, 11-1, in the Class 6A title game at Lilley Field at Cal (Pa.).
The game was cut short to six innings by the 10-run rule, Hempfield’s 14th mercy-ruled win this season.
The Spartans, who beat Canon-McMillan, 13-0, in five innings in the semifinals, have won 19 straight games.
It almost seemed appropriate a WPIAL title would come via the mercy rule, even against a team it had “only” beaten 5-2 and 4-3 in section.
Hempfield edged the Raiders, 1-0, in last year’s final and won 2-1 in eight innings in 2023.
“If you’d have told me we were going to 10-run them, I would have said no way,” Hempfield pitcher Julia Varhola said. “Things got really tight for a little bit, but we were confident the whole way.”
The Spartans now share the mark for the most district titles with Baldwin and Sto-Rox.
They have won eight titles in the last 11 years. They also qualified for the PIAA playoffs and will open Monday at McDowell.
Late coach Bob Kalp, who died in March at age 80, won seven titles. Hempfield hadn’t won consecutive titles since a five-peat from 2015-19.
“I didn’t think we would (win by 10) when it was 2-1 in the fourth inning,” Hempfield coach Tina Madison said. “It was nice to be able to win the fifth the way we did. That is such an important part of the game. This was a roller-coaster kind of game.
“If (Kalp) were here, he’d be giving a wave from out there (in the crowd). He won seven; I have three. Hopefully I can catch him one day.”
The championship was the third in four years for Hempfield’s seniors. All three have come against Seneca Valley, which played in its fifth straight final.
Hempfield took a 2-0 lead in the first inning of the finals rematch via a three-base error by Seneca Valley (15-6).
Lauren Howard struck out, but the third strike was dropped and an errant throw to first allowed both runs to race home.
Claire Mitchell and Jayelyn Luft, the top two hitters in the order, scored after hitting consecutive singles.
The Raiders broke through in the fifth. Harlee Hornick doubled to open the inning, and Olivia Herrem followed with an infield single.
Julia Valasek smacked a liner off Varhola’s chest. While the pitcher quickly recovered and threw to first, a run scored to make it 2-1.
“Julia is an excellent pitcher and fought through it,” Madison said.
But Hempfield limited the damage, then tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the inning to begin to pull away before eventually coasting home.
Mitchell singled, and Jayelyn Luft walked. They moved up on a double steal to set up Howard, who sliced a single to right to knock in a pair and increase the advantage to 4-1.
The Spartans added on with one out and also chased starting pitcher Abby Kalkowski.
Jocelyn Luft drove in a run with a single, Varhola followed with a two-run double, and Emily Bozek had an RBI double for an 8-1 advantage.
Bozek’s hit came against Rachael Dunmire, who came out of the bullpen.
Jocelyn Luft made it 10-1 with a two-run double in the sixth.
The freshman was beaming after the win.
“It’s so exciting,” said Luft, who had a busy day at second base. “We’ve been waiting for this moment. It was great to be a part of it. We had to win the fifth.”
Emily Bozek’s sacrifice fly capped the scoring in the sixth, and the Spartans walked off with the 10-run win.
“I thought we’d be ready to go,” Seneca Valley coach Joe DiCristoforo said. “There were some nerves. A lot of butterflies in bellies. That’s on me. I am proud of how my girls played.
“(Hempfield) runs well, hits well, pitches well. You almost have to play a perfect game to beat them.”
Mitchell, Jayelyn Luft, Howard and Jocelyn Luft all had two hits for the Spartans.
Jocelyn Luft had three RBIs, and Bozek and Howard had two apiece.
Mitchell and Howard each scored twice.
Catcher Elle Berkebile walked three times.
Varhola allowed five hits and struck out four.
Valasek was 3 for 3 with an RBI, and Volz was 2 for 3 for the Raiders.