Hempfield softball starts fast with season-opening shutout of North Allegheny
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Monday, March 25, 2024 | 7:47 PM
Hempfield’s Allie Cervola celebrates as she rounds the bases after hitting a lead-off home run against North Allegheny during their game on Monday.
Hempfield’s Allie Cervola hits a leadoff home run against North Allegheny during their game on Monday.
Hempfield’s Allie Cervola watches her leadoff home run against North Allegheny during their game on Monday.
Hempfield’s Allie Cervola celebrates as she rounds the bases after hitting a leadoff home run against North Allegheny during their game on Monday.
Hempfield’s Allie Cervola is greeted by teammates at home plate after hitting a leadoff home run against North Allegheny during their game on Monday.
Hempfield’s Peyton Heisler makes a running catch in center field against North Allegheny during their game on Monday.
Hempfield’s pitcher Riley Miller delivers against North Allegheny during their game on Monday.
Hempfield’s Maggie Howard drives in a run with a sacrfice fly against North Allegheny during their game on Monday.
Hempfield’s pitcher Riley Miller high-fives Lauren Howard after getting an out against North Allegheny during their game on Monday.
Hempfield’s Allie Cervola celebrates as she rounds the bases after hitting a leadoff home run against North Allegheny during their game on Monday.
Hempfield head coach Tina Madison talks with Allie Cervola at third base during their game against North Alleghney on Monday.
Hempfield’s Allie Cervola talks with North Allegheny’s McKenna Rowlands after their game on Monday.
Like a bear just out of hibernation, the Hempfield softball team took a big yawn, stretched out its limbs and delivered a shutout in its season opener.
After having their first two nonsection games postponed, the defending WPIAL champions had to begin the year with a Class 6A section game against North Allegheny.
The Lady Spartans didn’t fret.
Junior Allie Cervola, the first batter of the season, launched a solo home run to get things started, and top-ranked Hempfield blanked No. 5 North Allegheny, 6-0, on Monday at Robert D. Kalp Field.
“Everyone was just so pumped to start,” said Cervola, an Ohio commit. “We think we’re going to be an A-plus team again. It’s good to beat a good team like NA.”
Senior Emily Griffith went 2 for 3 with an RBI double, and sophomore Ella Berkebile also drove in a run with a double for Hempfield (1-0, 1-0), which was supposed to play 5A contenders Armstrong and Shaler before opening its section schedule but unplayable field conditions and cold temperatures relegated them to indoor practices.
“I think we have only been outside for practice one or two times,” Griffith said. “Allie’s homer got us started and put us in a good mood. Hitting is contagious. We were really aggressive and were seeing the ball well.”
Junior pitcher Riley Miller, a Kent State commit, scattered five hits, struck out four and walked one, working out of three two-out jams with strikeouts for the Spartans.
A four-run third inning allowed the Spartans to build on Cervola’s early blast to left. Senior Maggie Howard, a Georgetown commit, knocked in a run with a sacrifice fly, and another run scored on a wild pitch to sophomore Lauren Howard.
Howard followed with a run-scoring single, before an error, and then Berkebile hit an RBI double to make it 5-0.
Hempfield became more comfortable with Tigers junior pitcher Sammy Plotsko to increase scoring opportunities.
The teams split their section series last year.
“We’re trying to get as many live at-bats as possible,” Hempfield coach Tina Madison said. “We were a little nervous starting out against NA, who I consider one of the top three teams in 6A.
“Allie has been swinging a hot bat, so we led off with her. Our lineup is probably going to change a million times this year.”
North Allegheny, which made three errors and had three wild pitches in the third inning, had runners in scoring position with two outs in the second, third and fourth innings, but Miller recorded punchouts each time to quell the threat.
“Our defense is so far ahead of our offense,” Madison said. “Our defense did some great things. It was a good win, and it’s great to get a shutout.”
The sixth run crossed in the fifth on Griffith’s double.
Lauren Howard also had two hits for Hempfield.
Miller did not bat for Hempfield, although she likely will as the season moves ahead.
Senior Carlyn Vaupel had two hits for the Tigers, whose opener against Fox Chapel was postponed.
Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.
Tags: North Allegheny
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