WRITTEN BY: JERIC YURKANIN
JESSUP PENNSYLVANIA— If you wanted a glimpse into the future of two of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s premier high school softball programs, you got it this season.
The Mid Valley 12U and Valley View youth programs showcased just how much talent is on the way.
The Mid Valley Spartanettes varsity team, led by the legendary “Magician” Mike Piercy, has captured seven consecutive District 2 championships. Mid Valley was the PIAA State Runner-Up in 2021 before bringing home the PIAA State Championship in 2023.
Meanwhile, Valley View, under the leadership of Head Coach Mia Wascura, is coming off its second consecutive PIAA Class 4A State Championship, fourth state title in program history, and fourth straight District 2 championship. The Lady Cougars’ junior high team also finished a perfect 14-0 this past season, proving the next wave of talent is already here.
If this year’s youth teams are any indication, these two powerhouse programs are not going anywhere anytime soon.
The future of softball in Northeastern Pennsylvania is in great hands — and fans should be excited for what is coming next.
With that said, both youth programs met today in a District 32 matchup, with the Valley View-based Carbino Club All Stars taking on Mid Valley 12U. The Carbino Club roster does include three players from other schools in the area, but the team is primarily made up of Valley View players.
Youth programs matter. Sometimes the success, development, and culture at the youth level can give you a strong idea of what is coming when those players eventually reach the varsity level.
Today’s District 32 game was special, and Carbino Club wasted little time showing its talent.
Top of the 1st Inning
Carbino Club jumped out early.
Victoria Brown lined out to shortstop to open the inning before Elizabeth Troy ripped a double to center field. After Alia Lopuhovsky flied out to left, Lizzie Deriancho reached on an infield single, keeping the inning alive. A wild pitch moved Troy to third and Deriancho to second before Natalie Paciotti delivered an RBI single to score Troy and give Carbino Club a 1-0 lead.
With runners still on base, another passed ball allowed Deriancho to score while Paciotti advanced to third, extending the advantage to 2-0. Sophia Thomas was then hit by a pitch and later stole second. A wild pitch brought Paciotti home and moved Thomas to third, pushing the lead to 3-0. Alana Lopuhovsky then flied out to center field to end the inning.
Carbino Club 3, Mid Valley 0
Bottom of the 1st Inning
Mid Valley went down in order against Carbino Club’s defense. Maria Teixeira lined out to left field, Brooke Patchcoski struck out looking, and Kapmeyer grounded out to retire the side.
End of the 1st: Carbino Club 3, Mid Valley 0
Top of the 2nd Inning
Carbino Club added to its lead in the second inning.
Rebecca Peoples opened the inning with a flyout to third base for the first out. Eliza Evans then reached with a bunt single, and after Charlee Cole flied out to the pitcher, Lucie Smith came through with a hard ground-ball single to left field. Evans scored on the play, making it 4-0.
Carbino Club kept the pressure on. Lily Witkowski reached base, and Maggie Ritzco followed with a fly-ball single to shortstop that brought Smith home and moved Witkowski to third. Victoria Brown then worked a walk to load things up before Elizabeth Troy hit a fly ball that was misplayed by the left fielder. Witkowski and Ritzco both scored on the error, while Brown advanced to second.
Alia Lopuhovsky flied out to end the inning, but Carbino Club pushed across four runs in the frame.
Carbino Club 7, Mid Valley 0
Top of the 3rd Inning
Carbino Club kept its offense rolling in the third inning.
Lizzie Deriancho opened the inning with a fly-ball single to left field. Natalie Paciotti then lined out to shortstop, and Sophia Thomas struck out swinging for the second out.
Carbino Club responded with a two-out rally. Thomas helped herself with a double to center field, and Alana Lopuhovsky followed with an RBI double to center, scoring Deriancho and extending the lead to 8-0.
Rebecca Peoples then delivered one of the biggest swings of the game, driving a hard ground ball to center field and racing all the way around for an inside-the-park home run. Lopuhovsky scored on the play, pushing Carbino Club’s lead to 10-0.
Eliza Evans kept the inning alive with a line-drive single, and Charlee Cole followed with a triple to center field, scoring Evans to make it 11-0. Lucie Smith then added an RBI single on a ground ball to shortstop, bringing Cole home and extending the lead to 12-0.
Lily Witkowski was hit by a pitch before Maggie Ritzco grounded out to end the inning.
Carbino Club 12, Mid Valley 0
Mid Valley managed to push across one run later in the game, but Carbino Club added three more runs to close things out by mercy rule in the fourth inning.
Final: Carbino Club 16, Mid Valley 1
Carbino Club pounded out 17 hits in the victory, with nearly every player in the lineup contributing offensively.
“I couldn’t be happier for my team. They all stepped up, and nobody had a single strikeout today. They got the bat on the ball, and that’s all we ask. We don’t look for home runs — we just look for balls put in the field.” Said Carbino Head Coach, Eric Evans.
He continued: “Mid Valley is a great team. We expected a tough game, and they have great coaches over there. I respect them very much. Kevin is their manager, and I’ve been friends with him for the last several years. I’ve known him for a long time.”
Elizabeth Troy went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, a double, and an RBI, while Lizzie Deriancho finished 2-for-3 with two runs. Natalie Paciotti also collected two hits, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored.
“It was a team effort today. Everyone contributed with some hits, our fielding was good, and our batters really carried us today,” said Carbino Club’s Natalie Paciotti.
“In the first inning, we were focused. We kept the ball in front of us, and we did what we had to do,” said Carbino Clubs Victoria Brown.
Alana Lopuhovsky added a pair of doubles and drove in a run, while Rebecca Peoples highlighted the afternoon with an inside-the-park home run, finishing 1-for-3 with two RBIs. Eliza Evans went 2-for-2 with two runs scored, Lucie Smith went 2-for-2 with two RBIs and two runs, Charlee Cole added a triple, an RBI, and a run scored, Maggie Ritzco drove in a run, Victoria Brown added a triple, a walk, and a run scored, while Sophia Thomas and Lily Witkowski also helped spark the offense.
Carbino Club also received a strong performance in the circle from three pitchers. Elizabeth Troy started the game and earned the win, retiring all three batters she faced with one strikeout in a scoreless first inning. Alana Lopuhovsky followed with two shutout innings, allowing three hits while striking out three and walking two. Rebecca Peoples closed out the game, surrendering one run on one hit over the final inning while striking out three. As a staff, Carbino Club limited Mid Valley to just four hits, struck out seven batters, and allowed only one run in the four-inning mercy-rule victory.
“We had Elizabeth Troy, Alana Lopuhovsky, and Rebecca Peoples pitch today, and they are strong pitchers. They know what they have to do on the mound and how to take care of themselves. They did a good job and got the win today.” Said Eric Evans.
It was a dominant win for Carbino Club, but it was also another reminder of how bright the softball future is across Northeastern Pennsylvania. Mid Valley and Valley View have already built championship-level varsity programs, and judging by the talent coming through their youth systems, both programs look ready to keep competing for years to come.
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