Berlin Brothersvalley senior Elena Ritchey signs to play softball at Youngstown State
· Yahoo Sports
BERLIN, Pa. – Berlin Brothersvalley senior Elena Ritchey challenged herself this summer by joining the Indiana Magic Gold softball team.
She faced high-level players throughout the summer circuit, and proved she can compete with some of the better players across the country.
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NCAA Division I coaches took notice as the two-way standout received plenty of interest from colleges. She committed to Division I member Youngstown State University in August, and signed with the Penguins Wednesday afternoon.
“I’m super-excited,” Ritchey said. “I feel like it’s the perfect fit for me, honestly. It’s close to home. I think it’s just a really great opportunity. I can’t wait to pursue it next fall. I’m really looking forward to playing with players that have the same intentions as me and they’re held to the same level. I’m really excited to just focus on softball and grind with my teammates.”
Ritchey, believed to be the first player from Berlin Brothersvalley to sign to play Division I softball, was recruited as a right-handed pitcher with the chance to become a two-way player. Competing with Indiana Magic Gold helped her in a multitude of ways.
“It definitely opened up a lot of doors for me,” Ritchey said. “Recruiting-wise, they did a fantastic job. My coach is amazing. Also, just playing with those girls where softball is their thing, that really helped me.”
She will major in civil engineering or accounting with the intention of joining the state police after college.
Ritchey led Berlin Brothersvalley to District 5 Class 1A softball titles in 2025 and 2026, the first two in program history.
The Mountaineers advanced to the 2026 PIAA semifinals for the first time in program history. Berlin Brothersvalley also won the 2026 Inter-County Conference crown.
The three-time Pennsylvania High School Softball Coaches Association Class 1A all-state first-team selection was Somerset County’s 2026 most valuable player. She batted .544 with 49 hits, 40 runs, eight doubles, 10 home runs and 53 RBIs in 2026. Ritchey slugged .967 and reached base at a .587 rate. She went 15-1 in the circle with a 1.89 earned run average and 143 strikeouts in 1032/3 innings.
Ritchey has 132 career RBIs, 116 hits, 98 runs and 32 home runs. She has drawn 35 walks and struck out just 17 times in three seasons. In the circle, Ritchey has a career 34-8 record and a 2.18 ERA with 317 strikeouts in 2402/3 innings.
An injury limited her to 10 pitching appearances in 2025.
She is also a member of the volleyball team, which has won four straight District 5 crowns. Ritchey was a 2025 all-state selection. Ritchey was a member of the 2024-25 PIAA Class 2A state championship basketball team.
Youngstown State has everything for Ritchey to reach her full potential at the next level.
“The campus is just beautiful and the athletic facilities are amazing,” Ritchey said. “I obviously love the coaching staff, so that was a big part of my decision.”
Youngstown State, located in Ohio, competes in the Horizon League. The Penguins are led by first-year coach Erin Pond, who was an assistant with the team in 2026.
Pond played at Akron (2013-14) and Penn State (2015-16). Pond was an assistant at fellow Horizon League member Cleveland State.
Ritchey will join a Youngstown State team that went 31-20 overall and 14-4 in the Horizon League during the 2026 season. The Penguins earned the Horizon League regular-season title.
“It’s super-exciting because I feel like I can come in and I may have to work a little for my spot, but I can also try to help the team as much as possible,” Ritchey said.
“I’m super-excited for it.”
Youngstown State set program records in average (.338), runs (380), hits (472), doubles (82), RBIs (344), total bases (727), slugging percentage (.518) and on-base percentage (.418) under hitting coach Pond in 2026.
Getting to play Division I softball was always Ritchey’s goal.
“It’s just really fulfilling, too, because all of my time that I’ve spent practicing with my dad in the yard or just practicing with my family, my hitting coach, my pitching coach,” Ritchey said. “It’s very, very fulfilling because all of my hard work has finally paid off.”
Ritchey also received interest from Army, Ball State, Butler and Drake.
“A big thank you to my family and everyone who has supported me through this journey,” Ritchey said. “I just really appreciate everything that everyone has done for me.”
Ritchey is the daughter of Harry and Rocky Ritchey.
Jake Oswalt is a copy editor for The Tribune-Democrat. Follow him on Twitter @TheWizOfOz11.