HS Softball: Dawgs, Vikes to battle again in Division II
Williams Valley players and coaches celebrate their 7-2 victory over Minersville on May 27, 2025, in the District 11 Class AA championship game at Susan Y. Stump Field. (Photo by Bob Lipsky)
Tri-Valley and Williams Valley have established themselves as the teams to beat.
In Schuylkill League Division II. And in District 11 Class A and AA.
The past decade has been as strong as ever. The Bulldogs captured the last five District 11 Class A crowns and went on to win PIAA gold in 2021 and 2023. The Vikings, meanwhile, won 9 of the last 10 district titles, five in Class A and five in Class AA. They went on to PIAA championship victories in 2016 and 2019 (2013 as well).
Expect more of the same level of excellence from the two valley teams in 2026.
Both experienced significant graduation losses, but both return plenty of talent and enough experience to develop into championship ballclubs once again. Along the way, Tri-Valley and Williams Valley will wage a season-long battle for the Schuylkill League Division II championship.
Today, Division II will be the focus. The Division I preview was published Thursday, March 12.
As the games are set to begin (weather permitting), there are plenty of questions to be answered and plenty of games to reveal those answers.
“We lost five good seniors who were very successful for four years (4 district titles),” Tri-Valley coach Marty Shade said. “We have the mentality of next girl up. We hope to fill those spots with new girls. We’ll have our ups and downs, but by the end of the season we hope to be in the races for division, league and district titles.”
Williams Valley coach Ryan Underkoffler faces similar challenges.
“Obviously, we lost five starters from last season’s team, many of them three- and four-year starters with great careers,” Underkoffler said. “We’ll miss their experience and leadership. But we have plenty of experience coming back.”
Williams Valley had the edge last season, going 23-3 overall and 14-0 to take the Division II title. The Vikings lost to Pine Grove in the Schuylkill League semifinals but rebounded to earn the District 11 Class AA crown and defeated Halifax and Bristol to reach the PIAA semifinals, where South Williamsport ended their season.
Sage Smeltz, Audrina Fry, Kayla Hand, Ally Underkoffler and Miley Mahoney graduated. That’s a lot of offense to replace in addition to Smeltz’s veteran leadership in the circle.
Turning the page, Williams Valley will look to senior shortstop Ella Kobularik (.474, 43 runs, 23 RBIs) and senior catcher Quin Smeltz (.455, 3 HR, 37 RBIs) to lead the way. Both Kobularik and Smeltz, a Messiah commit, were All-State first-team selections last season. Senior outfielder Delaney Bixler (.385, 20 runs) returns in the outfield, and senior Megan Perhach takes over at first base.
“Quin has the ability to shut down opposing teams’ run games, and Ella has great range at shortstop, with both having great bats,” Underkoffler said.
Junior pitcher-third baseman Olivia Hand and junior pitcher-first baseman Kamri Koppenhaver will spend most of the time in the circle. Hand (3-1, 2.78 ERA; .353, 30 runs, 2 HR, 24 RBIs batting) and Koppenhaver (5-0, 0.81 ERA) both average a strikeout an inning; they’ll keep the Vikings in games.
Sophomore utility Cierra Brill filled in admirably at second base last season, and Isabella Ziegler earned a letter for her play.
“All of these girls played in big games and will be relied upon to be even better than they were last season,” Underkoffler said. “This team has a good mix of experience and youth. Our early season success could depend on how quickly those freshmen adjust to the speed of the varsity level and how much offensive production they can provide in an attempt to replace the production from last season’s seniors.
“We know there will be challenges ahead of us, but I’m excited to see what this team can do in games,” Underkoffler added. “From what I’ve seen in the first two weeks of practice, I’m confident that we’ll have a very good year. Our goals and expectations will remain the same as last season, winning the division and the district, as well as making a run in the state playoffs.”
Tri-Valley (18-7, 11-3 D-II) knocked off North Schuylkill to reach the Schuylkill League championship game last spring, then rolled past Nativity and Marian to earn another District 11 title. Holy Cross edged the Dawgs 3-2 in the first round of states.
Graduated seniors Cassi Snyder, Mady Schwalm, Kora Rodichok, Ellie Dunkelberger and Mia Artz left quite a legacy in Hegins, and they’ll be difficult to replace.
Despite the losses, Tri-Valley returns nine players with varsity starting experience. Some of that came out of necessity when injuries hit the Bulldogs hard.
A pair of sophomores, Alina Leonard and Myah Schwalm will handle most of the pitching. Leonard, an All-State second-team selection, batted .458 with 34 runs, 3 HR and 23 RBIs last season. Pitching, she went 4-1 with a 2.24 ERA, striking out 43 in 25 innings. Schwalm hit .352 with 21 runs, 2 HR and 26 RBIs. In the circle, she went 3-2 with a 3.35 ERA, whiffing 26 in 23 innings.
“They’re working hard. They have different styles of pitching,” Shade said. “Amber Lettich came back, too. The injury bug hit me hard the last 3-4 years. It never hurts to have three pitchers.”
Tri-Valley got some reinforcements with the return of senior volleyball star Liv Lupole, who started in right field on the 2023 state championship team. Lettich adds pitching depth. And junior outfielder Summer Cupsta (.414, 3 HR, 29 RBIs in 2024) is back in action after missing all of last season with an injury.
“It’s nice to have Summer back, and Liv Lupole back brings experience to the game,” Shade said. “They’ve also been a big help with the younger kids as we try to mix them in.”
Junior third baseman Liv Witmer has become a run-producer in the middle of the lineup. She hit .514 a year ago with 27 runs, 4 HR and 37 RBIs in earning All-State second-team honors. Junior outfielder Savanah Stiely (.412), junior catcher Lydia Rodichok (.379), junior outfielder Kenzie Tobin and senior Ava Snyder bring more experience to the Dawgs.
“I think we have a chance if we stay healthy,” Shade said. “I have numbers (19 on roster), but a lot of players aren’t ready for the varsity level. They need some seasoning.”
Behind the Dawgs and Vikes are a group of teams vying for the remaining Schuylkill League playoff berth.
Schuylkill Haven took that spot last season, but the Hurricanes lost seven players (5 starters) from last year’s club. Schuylkill Haven has one senior, second baseman Kaitlyn Russo, and five players taking part in the Hurricanes’ extended basketball season.
Still, Schuylkill Haven has some quality players in junior pitcher-utility Allie Scherer (7-3, 3.06 ERA); junior pitcher-infielder Joie Schoffstall (.469) and sophomore catcher-infielder Aisley Jenan.
“Rebuilding is obvious,” Schuylkill Haven coach Garry Adams said. “The returning starters and returners are key. We have a nice group of freshmen coming in, and they’ll have to get adjusted quickly. A successful season is still attainable with this talented group. Chemistry is key. Schuylkill League (playoffs), districts and a good overall record are within their grasp.”
Minersville made great strides under first-year head coach Kate Rittenbaugh. The Miners started the season 1-5 but ended the spring with District 11 Class AA silver medals.
With seven returning starters and a powerhouse group on the way, Minersville is trending up again. Senior infielder Grace Sterner (.500, 32 runs), who made All-State second team last season, and senior outfielder Bella Cruz (.366) are the only 12th graders on the roster.
Junior pitchers Eila O’Brien (4-10; .421, 21 RBIs batting) and Cali Laudeman (6-2) saw significant time at the varsity level last season and should be better with a year under their belts. The defense supporting their pitchers must improve for Minersville to win more games this season.
Junior infielder Bella Rizzardi (.446, 27 runs); sophomore utility Sara McGrath (.377, 23 RBIs); and sophomore outfielder Rilynn Brennan (.343, 21 runs) return as well.
At Marian, six starters return for a club that has just two seniors. Junior second baseman DeAnna Pugh (.516, 35 runs, 25 RBIs) received All-State first-team honors last season, while senior pitcher-shortstop-third baseman Malina Letcher (.545, 30 runs, 4 HR, 35 RBIs) earned an All-State second-team spot.
Sophomore catcher Hailey Trekolasky (.450, 4 HR, 29 RBIs) is a rising talent, while Gracie Sendatch (.400) adds depth to the outfield.
In the circle, juniors Kayla Birrer (5-5) and Emily Upanavage (6-5; .349 batting) should be stronger after a year of varsity experience. Birrer plays infield and Upanavage is a center fielder when not pitching.
The remaining teams in the division are rebuilding, but there’s optimism in each camp for better days ahead.
Start with Nativity, which has a roster of 26, roughly double what the Golden Girls had last season. They can play a full JV schedule to develop a foundation and feeder program for the varsity.
Sophomore catcher-utility Lauren Clark leads the squad after batting .457 with three home runs and 24 RBIs last season. Senior Chloe Covell, junior Addisan Rickard and freshman Ava Stankavage will handle the pitching, with Covell getting lots of experience last season. Junior utility Anna Jansson (.366) is another returning player to watch.
Shenandoah Valley will focus on fundamentals with a young roster that has just one senior. Junior Aubrie Monaghan and sophomore Zoey Zulkowski pitched for the Blue Devils last season. Freshman Giana Troutman is listed as a pitcher, too. When they’re not in the circle, they will play infield. Sophomore utility Brynn Burke returns as well.
Weatherly has six starters back and some pitching depth with junior No. 1 Rebecca Caldwell and senior Abby Binder. Seniors Abby Weston (SS), Olivia Marasco (C-1B-3B) and Aisha Zuberi (OF) are other team leaders.
