TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte softball players high five during the District 6 Class 4A championship against Juniata on Thursday, May 21, 2026. The Red Raiders closed their season in the first rounds of states on Monday, falling to Elizabeth Forward, 12-2.

MCKEESPORT – It’s always a possibility that your first-round draw for states will be a juggernaut, an unfortunate reality the Bellefonte softball team experienced firsthand on Monday.

Facing 20-win, District 7 champion Elizabeth Forward (21-2) on the road, the Bellefonte softball team battled, scoring two late runs and posting two scoreless innings defensively. But it wasn’t enough to down the title contender, as it fell, 12-2, in five innings to close out their run in the first round of the PIAA Class 4A championships.

After going down 4-0 in the first, the Red Raiders briefly bounced back, maintaining that deficit. Starting pitcher Abby Herr pitched two scoreless innings, striking out one within that span, and her field did what it could to prevent further damage, finishing without an error.

But the Warriors got their offense going again in the fourth, upping their lead to 6-1. And though the Red Raiders responded with a run, multiple Elizabeth Forward homers in the fifth highlighted a six-run inning for the home team, enough to clinch its mercy-rule win.

Herr and relieving pitcher Adrienne Masullo finished with four combined strikeouts. And offensively, Herr and Riley Santostefano made up the team’s two runs on the day.

Santostefano hit a one-run shot over the centerfield wall to grant the Red Raiders their first run in the fourth. And in the fifth, Herr fought for a walk, Ella Herr (1-for-2) got her to second with a single and a sacrifice fly from Aralynn Carson got her home.

Herr and Santostefano were the lone Red Raiders to finish with a hit on the day, with Elizabeth Forward starting pitcher Berlyn Holibaugh pitching an eight-strikeout gem.

With the loss, Bellefonte softball finished the season with an 11-11 record. Though there were ups and downs, they put together a strong postseason run, winning a District 6 Class 4A title and PIAA sub-regional to make it to states.

Elizabeth Forward 12, Bellefonte 2

Bellefonte 000 11 – 2 2 0

Elizabeth F. 400 26 – 12 8 0

Abby Herr, Adrienne Masullo (5) and Ella Herr. Berlyn Holibaugh and Sophie Pasinsky. W – Holibaugh. L – Herr.

Top Bellefonte hitters: Riley Santostefano 1-2, HR, RBI, run; Ella Herr 1-2; Abby Herr run; Aaralynn Carson RBI. Top Elizabeth Forward hitters: Aubri Cimba 2-3, HR, 3 RBIs, 2 runs; Berlyn Holibaugh 1-2, HR, 4 RBIs, 2 runs; Sophie Pasinsky 1-2, HR, 2 RBIs, run; Claire Balint 2-3, RBI, 2 runs; Samantha Malek 1-2, RBI, run.