A capsule look at the PIAA Class 5A softball final between West Allegheny and Lampeter-Strasburg.
Championship history: Lampeter-Strasburg made its only state championship appearance two years ago when it lost to Yough 1-0 in the Class 3A title game. West Allegheny is making its first trip to the state championships.
Players to watch: Sisters Hanna and Julz Garber are two reasons why Lampeter-Strasburg is in the state final. Hanna, a senior third baseman, leads the team with a .563 average and four home runs. Julz, a sophomore outfielder, has a .462 average and eight doubles. Sophomore outfielder Summer Peters is second on the team with a .500 average and three home runs. Junior Brynne Baker will get the start in the pitching circle. Baker is 18-5 with a 2.28 ERA and 106 strikeouts, and she’s also a solid hitter.
West Allegheny has leaned on a balanced lineup. Seven regular hitters have averages over. 350 this season, with sophomore catcher Britney Wilson tops at .565. Wilson also has a team-high 39 RBIs. Center fielder Taylor Goldstrohm has a .521 average and is tied for a team-high four home runs despite batting leadoff. Senior third baseman Mackenzie Partyka also has four home runs. She’s struck out just once all season and has walked 13 times, several times intentionally as teams have been hesitant to pitch to her. Senior pitcher Ashley Seamon has played all but one inning this year. She’s 23-1 with a 2.64 ERA and has struck out 51 while walking 33.
Something to watch for: Lampeter-Strasburg may have the championship game experience, but most of the key players on the Pioneers’ roster didn’t play two years ago. Lampeter-Strasburg has just two seniors on the roster and features a lineup with four sophomores and three freshmen. West Allegheny, meanwhile, has six seniors in the lineup that it would love to send out on a high note. “I definitely want them to appreciate it and soak it in and have fun and just play together. This will be the last time this team plays together on the field, so that in itself will be a special moment,” West Allegheny coach Mindi McFate said.