Baldwin proved to be an offensive force in WPIAL Class 5A softball in 2026, nearly doubling up opponents with a 181-91 run differential.
The Highlanders finished as the runner-up in Section 4 with a 10-2 record — one game behind rival Thomas Jefferson — advanced to the WPIAL semifinals and PIAA quarterfinals and ended up 20-6 overall.
“We are extremely pleased with how the girls performed all year,” coach Ron Santillo said. “These girls in this program have committed to getting better every single day. It’s all about the offseason workouts, extra reps and time they put into it.
“Confidence in their abilities really slows the game down. And they truly play for one another every game.”
The Highlanders had seven players who hit .300 or better, including senior team leader Reese Temme, a four-year starter in the outfield.
“Reese locked down center field the past three years and she did so with a splash,” Santillo said. “So many times, the opponent had runners on and in scoring position, and Reese seemed to make a big throw or catch. On offense, Reese put up video game numbers.”
A Case Western commit, Temme finished with a .587 batting average in 2026 with 54 hits, five home runs and 35 RBIs. Temme ranked among the leading hitters in Western Pennsylvania and was lauded as the player of the year in the section, first-team all-section and a WPIAL all-star.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the team and how every single player performed this year,” Temme said. “Since I was a freshman, we have gotten consistently better each year, winning more games than anyone expected of us. This team was able to prove that Baldwin softball is a force to be reckoned with, giving great teams hard battles and getting further than this program has seen in years.
“I saw all of the work these girls and coaches put into this team, and I am so grateful to say that it did pay off this season.”
For her career, Temme finished with a .460 batting average with 92 hits, 10 home runs and 63 RBIs. Defensively, she accounted for 37 putouts and three assists in 2026 and 79 putouts and seven assists in her career.
She also competed in volleyball for four years.
“It’s hard to name exactly my best memories within my Baldwin athletic career because it was overall so special to me,” Temme said. “But if I had to name a few, most would come from the sport that I have held so near and dear these past 12 years. The Tennessee trip with the softball team was so much fun and so special. It allowed us to create memories and celebrate the team that we knew would be so special this year.
“I also have such fond memories of our journey throughout the WPIAL and state playoffs. It is an experience I only really had once, but it will stay with me for a lifetime. I was able to travel and play many extra games with the girls that I have grown to be so close to. It was truly an experience of a lifetime, regardless of the outcome.”
Temme was a rare four-year captain in the Baldwin softball program; she plans to study both civil and environmental engineering in college.
“Reese came into the program as a leader from Day 1,” Santillo said. “She was slowed much of her freshman year with an injury; she was a captain in every way through her positivity, drive and leadership.
“Reese was named a captain all four years by a vote of her teammates. That’s an example of the leader that Reese Temme is.”
Baldwin also had a trio of .400 hitters in its lineup this season in junior second baseman Ava Bonacci, senior outfielder Mackenzie Bowen and senior catcher Avery Herrington.
Bonacci batted a robust .478 with 44 hits, scored 30 runs and stole 28 bases. Bowen racked up a .429 batting average with 33 hits and 20 RBIs.
Herrington, a Saint Vincent commit, wasn’t far behind at .412 with 33 hits and 19 RBIs. Herrington and Bonacci were first-team all-section selections while Bowen was voted to the second team.
Other leading offensive players for the Highlanders included sophomore outfielder Camryn Temme (.390), junior pitcher Melina DeFelice (.342) and senior shortstop Jordan Gerendash (.330).
“Melina has the skills to dominate a lineup while getting better and better (in the pitching circle) as the game goes on,” Santillo said. “She wants the ball, every time. That’s what you want from a pitcher, a tremendous competitor.”
The younger Temme sister was named first-team all-section thanks to her .390 batting average, 34 hits including seven home runs and 23 RBIs.
DeFelice finished with 26 hits and 18 RBIs while Gerendash, a Pitt-Johnstown commit, had 29 hits, scored 26 times and drove in 23 runs.
“All four of our seniors were starters from Day 1,” Santillo said. “They all offered so much to the team and did whatever was asked of them: Jordan moving from an all-section outfielder to an all-section shortstop, Avery from an all-section shortstop to an all-section catcher. Reese was a three-time all section selection, and Kenzie was all-section outfielder.
“We lose four unbelievably talented and amazing leaders in Avery, Jordan, Reese and Kenzie, but the young players will be ready to step in and be great. We expect to compete (in 2027) right from where we left off this year. Offseason starts next month, and we have a lot of our team back.”
Among the players in the team’s starting lineup who will return next season are the left-handed hitting Bonacci, Camryn Temme, DeFelice, junior Teaghan Scanlon and sophomore Julianna Ditoro.
Ditoro and Teaghan both ended up with double digits in the RBI category this year.
DeFelice was a first-team all-section selection thanks to her 20-6 record, 144 strikeouts in 152 innings, and 2.60 ERA.
Baldwin reeled off 12 consecutive wins this spring, including a 6-1 victory March 21 against Walsh Jesuit (Ohio) at the Ripken Experience in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
The Highlanders won three of four district playoff decisions, defeating Kiski Area, West Allegheny and, in the third-place game, Thomas Jefferson.
Baldwin won its 20th game in the first round of the PIAA tournament, defeating Lower Dauphin, 11-7, before losing to WPIAL and PIAA champion Shaler, 2-1, in the quarterfinals. The Highlanders also lost to Shaler in the WPIAL semis.
“Beating an Ohio power program like Walsh Jesuit really gave the girls confidence coming back to the WPIAL expecting to win every game they played,” Santillo said. “Surprised? No.
“Coach Steve (Dadig) gave Melina DeFelice the nickname ‘Our Dawg’ in the circle after she beat Walsh Jesuit because she’s such a fierce competitor and always wants the ball.”
Santillo and Dadig were assisted by their daughters, Carly and Taylor, again this season.
“We achieved the program’s first WPIAL and PIAA playoff wins since 2018 when Taylor and Carly were playing,” Santillo said. “Being former Baldwin High School and college stars on the field and in the classroom, those two have been so instrumental in the development of these girls on and off the field over the last for years.”
The Highlanders have a strong group to build upon in 2027 with five juniors, five sophomores and four freshmen on this year’s team roster.