WPIAL softball season preview

Ready or not, the spring sports season is already upon us — and there is plenty to catch up on before the games get underway later this week.

Here are some top softball storylines, teams and players to watch for when the season begins for WPIAL teams on Friday.

Big stories

TJ’s “Road Warriors” gearing up for repeat: There simply wasn’t a better storyline or more improbable champion in all of high school sports last season than Thomas Jefferson softball — AKA the “Road Warriors.” Following an up-and-down regular season that resulted in a record of 9-7, the Jaguars received a No. 10 seed for the WPIAL tournament, then made it all the way to the championship game before losing to Armstrong, 9-3. Then, Thomas Jefferson traveled more than 1,000 miles across its first three games in the PIAA tournament, winning all three before capturing its first state title with a thrilling 2-1 upset win against Pittston in the PIAA Class 5A championship game. With several key pieces returning this year, do the Jaguars have what it takes to go back-to-back?

All eyes on “Syd the Kid”: Coming off one of the greatest debut seasons by any WPIAL player in recent memory, Bentworth phenom Sydney Gonglik will be facing some great expectations going into her sophomore season this spring. As a freshman, Gonglik burst onto the scene with a WPIAL-leading .764 batting average along with 10 home runs, 26 RBIs, 47 runs scored and 18 stolen bases. As a pitcher, she was even better, posting a record of 18-3 with a 1.03 ERA, 0.56 WHIP and 282 strikeouts to 13 walks in 122 innings. After leading the Bearcats to their first WPIAL championship game in school history, what does Gonglik have in store for an encore in 2025?

Neshannock aiming for another perfect season: Arguably the most dominant and impressive team in any WPIAL sport over the last three years, Neshannock’s softball dynasty is approaching such rarified air that words don’t even do it justice. Winners of three consecutive WPIAL Class 2A titles, the Lancers have compiled an overall record of 74-1 with two state titles in the past three years. A small, public school in Lawrence County teeming with homegrown talent, Neshannock owns several lopsided wins against big-school powerhouses during its unprecedented reign, and the Lancers never shy away from a challenge. With virtually their entire core returning after an undefeated season in 2024, is there any team in their path that can possibly prevent a WPIAL championship four-peat?

The favorites

Class 6A: Seneca Valley. Many believed the Raiders were on a collision course for a rematch with 2023 champion Hempfield in last year’s title game. Instead, it was Norwin who crashed the party with a semifinal win against the Spartans before nearly pulling off a shocking upset against Seneca Valley in the championship game. In the end, the Raiders prevailed in extra innings for their second title in three seasons, and they will be in prime position to make it three out of four with superstar senior Lexie Hames leading the way.

Class 5A: Thomas Jefferson. After their Cinderella run to last year’s WPIAL and PIAA championship games, the Jaguars won’t be catching anybody by surprise this season. Sophomore pitcher Aubrey Shaffer returns as the team’s unquestioned ace to go with a lineup filled with talent, including infielders Morgan Alisesky and Addi Bracco and outfielder Hannah Alonso. There is plenty of competition for the top spot in Class 5A, but Thomas Jefferson enters the 2025 season as the team to beat.

Class 4A: Elizabeth Forward. The defending WPIAL champion Warriors will surely miss standout pitcher-slugger Shelby Telegdy, but there are a handful of options for coach Harry Rutherford to turn to in the circle — including senior Julia Johnson, junior Julia Resnik and sophomore Berlyn Holibaugh. Resnik is a Robert Morris recruit coming off a stellar season at shortstop, while senior catcher Alivia Grimm, junior outfielder Hannah Evans and junior third baseman Addy Nigut are also back to bolster Elizabeth Forward’s high-powered lineup.

Class 3A: Mohawk. A deep, well-rounded unit with great chemistry and invaluable intangibles, the Warriors will look to go back-to-back after pounding South Park for their first WPIAL title in last year’s Class 3A final. Tons of key players return, including senior outfielder Liv Hare, junior pitcher Reagan Magno, junior catcher Mylie Pistorius, junior third baseman Addy Moskal and sophomore infielder Gianna Pezzuolo.

Class 2A: Neshannock. Reigning WPIAL Class 1A champion Chartiers-Houston joins a loaded Class 2A field that includes stalwarts like Laurel and Bentworth, but there’s no question who reigns supreme in this class. The mighty, mighty Lancers have steamrolled the competition en route to three consecutive WPIAL titles, and they have not lost a game to a WPIAL opponent since 2021. With a combined record of 74-1 over the past three seasons, Neshannock’s decorated senior class could become the first group in WPIAL history to amass 100 wins before they graduate.

Class 1A: Union. With defending champion Chartiers-Houston moving up to Class 2A, this appears to be a two-horse race between Union and Carmichaels for the Class 1A throne. The Mighty Mikes will have most of their top players returning after advancing to last year’s PIAA Class 1A title game — but so do the Scotties, who will be hungry for redemption after coming up just short in their quest for a WPIAL championship three-peat in 2024.

Diamond Dozen

Bria Bosiljevac, Shaler. One of the top junior pitchers in the state, Bosiljevac started off the 2024 season with a flawless six-game stretch before a hand injury cut her sophomore season short. In six starts last spring, the Indiana recruit fired six consecutive shutouts, finishing with 83 strikeouts and only 9 hits allowed in 40 innings pitched.

Lily Duffill, Chartiers Valley. One of the most feared sluggers in the state, Duffill mashed a WPIAL-leading 15 home runs last spring, batting .507 with 47 RBIs to follow up her breakout freshman campaign for the Colts. A Penn State recruit, the junior catcher finished her sophomore season with a 1.288 slugging percentage and 1.848 OPS.

Addy Frye, Neshannock. A Providence recruit who owns a career record of 57-1, Frye is a certified two-way star with three WPIAL titles and two state titles to her credit. As a junior, “The Great 8” hit .500 with 6 home runs and 34 RBIs, finishing 19-0 with an 0.59 ERA, 0.60 WHIP and 212 strikeouts to 13 walks in 107 innings pitched.

Toryn Fulton, Franklin Regional. The daughter of former New York Yankees pitcher Billy Fulton, this South Florida recruit has carved out her own legacy during her stellar career with the Panthers. The 6-foot outfielder hit .648 with 7 home runs and 26 RBIs as a junior, giving her 22 homers and 88 RBIs for her career.

Sydney Gonglik, Bentworth. In a debut season for the ages, Gonglik led the Bearcats to their first WPIAL championship appearance in Class 2A, slashing .764/.833/1.655 for a 2.488 OPS to go with 10 home runs, 26 RBIs and 47 runs scored. As a pitcher, Gonglik went 18-3 with a 1.03 ERA, 0.56 WHIP and 282 strikeouts to only 13 walks in 122 innings.

Lexie Hames, Seneca Valley. The two-time PUP Player of the Year, Hames cemented her status as the WPIAL’s premier talent last spring while leading the Raiders to their second WPIAL Class 6A title in three seasons. As a junior, the Clemson recruit posted a record of 16-1 with an 0.56 ERA, 0.57 WHIP and 265 strikeouts to 34 walks in 111 innings pitched, batting .426 with 9 home runs, 27 RBIs, 34 walks and a 1.000 slugging percentage.

Carys McConnell, Carmichaels. One of the most well-rounded players in the area, this junior shortstop led the Mighty Mikes all the way to the PIAA Class 1A championship game last spring while batting .494 with 8 doubles, 5 triples, 6 home runs, 35 RBIs and 25 runs scored. McConnell is now batting .500 with 10 home runs and 72 RBIs in her career.

Riley Miller, Hempfield. After posting a 19-4 record as a sophomore in 2023 while leading Hempfield to a WPIAL Class 6A title and a trip to the PIAA championship game, Miller was equally effective as a junior. Despite an upset loss against Norwin in the WPIAL semifinals, the Kent State recruit finished 13-2 with a 1.09 ERA and 0.91 WHIP last spring.

Aubrey Police, West Allegheny. A senior infielder and Villanova recruit, this sweet-swinging leadoff hitter batted .506 as a junior with 6 home runs, 27 RBIs, 43 runs scored and 16 stolen bases. A two-time all-state selection, Police already has more than 100 hits for her career.

Julia Resnik, Elizabeth Forward. The definition of an elite all-around player, Resnik did it all for the WPIAL Class 4A champion Warriors as a sophomore, batting .526 with 6 doubles, 6 triples, 7 home runs, 27 RBIs, 45 runs scored and a 1.648 OPS. Also a sensational shortstop, this Robert Morris recruit may even spend some time at pitcher this spring.

Ella Richey, Chartiers-Houston. Last year’s Pennsylvania Class 1A Player of the Year, Richey dazzled on the diamond as a true five-tool talent for the WPIAL champion Buccaneers. The senior catcher batted .558 with 10 home runs, 33 RBIs, 41 runs scored and a 1.726 OPS, giving her 31 homers, 107 RBIs and 129 runs scored for her career.

Sydney Sekely, South Park. As a sophomore, Sekely soared into the upper echelon of the top pitchers in the area, leading the Eagles to the WPIAL Class 3A title game after pitching a perfect game in the semifinal round. Sekely fired 14 shutouts while finishing 16-3 with an 0.72 ERA and 242 strikeouts to just 23 walks in 127 innings pitched.