2016-2017 Mercury-Area Softball Preview
BOYERTOWN
Coach: Kim Musselman, first season
Last year’s record: 11-7 PAC, 11-8 overall. Advanced to PAC Final Four semifinals.
Players to watch: Kodi Streeter, Sr., 1B (Mercury All-Area Honorable Mention, Susquehanna University Commit); Emily Bradley, Sr., P (Mercury All-Area Honorable Mention); Sarah Reinert, Sr., Utility; Alyssa Acker, Sr., IF: Veronica Maryanski, Jr., IF; Kylie Hertzler, So., C.
Outlook: Musselman, a Boyertown grad who is returning from a coaching hiatus after last coaching at Exeter from 2007-2009, inherits a program that was able to put the pieces together to advance to the PAC playoffs after back-to-back 10-win seasons. Though their postseason run was short, the Bears return key pieces from last year’s run that ended just short of a district playoff berth. Departed are hard-hitting Lauren Waller (Mercury All-Area First Team selection), pitcher Mandy Kalil and infielder Maddie Cotellese, but the team returns Bradley (Philly Univ. commit), who will eat up innings in the circle. Reinert and Eidle are reliable gloves along with Streeter while the lineup has enough punch and speed to worry opposing pitchers. “We have a strong contingent of seniors coming back this year to lead the team, but I expect key juniors and sophomores will play a role in our success,” Musselman said. “As a new coach, it is great to see the team have such a strong bond this early in the season and we are excited about what the year will bring.”
DANIEL BOONE
Coach: Lee Trythall, second season
Last year’s record: 3-7 Berks I, 9-10 overall.
Players to watch: Sydney Hayes, Jr., OF (Mercury All-Area First Team selection); Gabby Willman, Sr., C; Heather Hall, Jr., P (Mercury All-Area Honorable Mention selection); Cara Shackleford, Sr., SS.
Outlook: The Blazers took their lumps last season, finishing second-to-last in Berks I in Trythall’s first season at the helm. His back-to-the-basics approach will fare well for the Blazers as they return a slew of players that earned another year of varsity experience. Hall had a solid season in the circle and will look to continue her growth while Hayes, Willman and Shackleford will be the leaders for a Blazers squad that looks to get back into contention for a Section 1 crown.
HILL SCHOOL
Coach: Kristen Walter, first season.
Last year’s record: 4-5 MAPL, 5-6 overall.
Players to watch: Kelly Ebner, 6th former, 1B; Kyli McKee, 6th former, P/SS/OF; Alexa Giacche, 4th former, utility; Meg Dempsey, 4th former, P/OF.
Outlook: Walter takes the helm, swapping roles with former head coach Julie deLaurentis who will remain on the team as an assistant. The former four-year starter for Plumstead Christian and Gordon College will look to lead a Hill squad that brings back Dempsey and McKee and Giacche. The Hill added post-grad Kelly Ebner from Wilson (West Lawn) and will also look for contributions from Tori Moran, Jamie Auerbach, Kelsey Staivecki and Sophie Goldberg.
METHACTON
Coach: Cathy Miller, 36th season.
Last year’s record: 11-7 PAC, 12-9 overall. Advanced to District 1-AAAA first round,
Players to watch: Sydney Thompson, Sr., 1B; Emily Kuberski, Jr., OF; Sam Weil-Kaspar, So., C; Abby Penjuke, So., 3B.
Outlook: Methacton’s three-game losing streak at the tail end of the season kept them out of the PAC playoffs for the second straight season and ultimately fell to Council Rock North in the opening round of district play. The Warriors will need to replace ace Megan Stauffer in the circle, who is now seeing time for Division 1 Monmouth, along with Annalese Olivieri (Misericordia University), Paulina Lowery (University of the Sciences), Dani Duda and Natalie Damato. Pitcher Aubrey Seal was next in line to take over ace status from Stauffer, but a preseason injury has her sidelined, paving the way for freshman pitcher Caroline Pellicano to showcase what she’s got. Weil-Kaspar provides the power to the lineup, which will also look for contributions from seniors Lauren Rhoads, Elizabeth Talbot, Gabe Doran, Gabby Zaczkiewicz, Amanda Sassi and Lizzy Hedrick. “We should be competitive again in the PAC,” Miller said. “Playing solid defense behind freshman pitcher Caroline Pellicano is a major goal. We’re hoping to at least match last year’s finish in the PAC.”
NORRISTOWN
Coach: Don Berry, second season
Last year’s record: 3-11 Suburban One American, 5-13 overall.
Players to watch: Steph Orman, Sr., P; Ashley Kinsey, Jr., CF; Hannah Griffin, LF.
Outlook: The Eagles will be tested in their first season in the PAC. Last season, Norristown’s division had five teams with sub-.500 records. This year, they’ll try to compete in a PAC Liberty Division that had each team finish with 11 or more wins. Orman, the team’s only senior, will look to provide some leadership on a youthful squad that will trot out sophomores and a freshman in their infield. “Being our first season playing in the Pioneer Athletic Conference, we are looking to grow and improve as the season unfolds,” Berry said. “We are lucky to have senior Steph Orman pitch and lead the underclassmen throughout the season.”
OWEN J. ROBERTS
Coach: Jen Beaver, second season.
Last year’s record: 11-7 PAC, 13-9 overall. Advanced to PAC Final Four semifinals. Lost in District 1-AAAA second round to Upper Darby.
Players to watch: Camryn Glenn, Sr., SS (Mercury All-Area Second Team); Brianna Smith, Sr., 3B (Mercury All-Area Honorable Mention); Darby Stuart, Jr., 1B (Mercury All-Area Second Team); Casey Walker, So., C (Mercury All-Area Honorable Mention).
Outlook: Wildcats return the bulk of their starters from last season’s team that advanced to the PAC Final Four and the second round of district play. Pitchers Brittney Dellaquila and Ally Maupay will look to take over for the graduated Alissa Vining, who was stellar in the Wildcats’ victory over Great Valley in last year’s district opener. Glenn returns at shortstop after batting .347 last season with Smith and Stuart adding power to the OJR lineup. Walker returns behind the plate after a solid freshman campaign along with Bridget Guinan, who will look to win two PAC championships her junior year after playing a critical part in the field hockey team’s successful year. “With many of our starters returning, we’re looking to build off what we did last year,” Beaver said. “We have a great group of girls who work hard and we’re excited for the season to begin.”
PERKIOMEN VALLEY
Coach: Dan McLaughlin, ninth season.
Last year’s record: 15-3 PAC, 23-5 overall; Advanced to PAC championship game. Won District 1-AAAA title over Avon Grove. Fell in PIAA-AAAA quarterfinal to Hazleton, 7-3.
Players to watch: Abby Wild, Sr., P (Second Team All-State, Mercury All-Area First Team Selection); Jordan Sell, So., SS (Mercury All-Area Second Team selection); Gillian Barrie, Sr., OF (Mercury All-Area Honorable Mention).
Outlook: The Vikings won their first district title in program history and will look vastly different with the departures of seven seniors, including Ana Bruni (University of South Florida), Kelsey Impink (Bloomsburg), Rachel Helverson, Noelle McCullough and Emily Oltman (Rider). Now, it’s time to see what the young players can do. PV’s Wild returns in the circle after a remarkable performance in the district playoffs and will look to build off a junior year that saw her compile an 8-1 record with a 1.28 ERA. Sell moves from the outfield to short and her ability to hit for contact and power (.364, 15 RBI last season) will be needed. Barrie serves well at the top of the lineup and has good range from the corner outfield position. Don’t expect PV to fall down in the PAC standings. They’ll be right where they need to be at the end of the year. “Our team will certainly look different this season with seven senior graduating,” McLaughlin said. “We do feel that we can compete with a strong pitcher in Wild returning, as well as several players who have been waiting for their chance to play after sitting behind out talented 2016 class. We also have a talented and deep group of freshmen that are coming into the program.”
PERKIOMEN SCHOOL
Coach: Melissa Gaiser, fifth season.
Last year’s record: 8-5 Tri-County League, 10-7 overall.
Players to watch: Sarah Chiesa, Sr., 3B; Lena Felix, Jr., C (Mercury All-Area Honorable Mention); Julianne Haussmann, Jr., P (Mercury All-Area Honorable Mention).
Outlook: Haussmann will need to have another stellar year for the Perk in order to fill the void of eight departing players via graduation and transfer. Haussmann finished last season with 147 strikeouts and will look to continue her dominance for a team that continues to compete in the Tri-County League. Felix returns after batting a staggering .649 last year with five home runs while newcomer Ally Brauchle transferred from Southern Lehigh and will give the Panthers a viable center fielder. “We are missing eight players from last year, however, with the dedication in the offseason I have a feeling this year will be very special,” Gaiser said.
PHOENIXVILLE
Coach: Grace Henderson, first season.
Last year’s record: 6-12 PAC, 7-13 overall.
Players to watch: Jess Anthony, Sr., CF: Emily Buckwalter, Sr., C/3B; Jess Eldridge, Sr., P; Tessa Lochetto, Sr., 2B/OF; Danille Marosek, Sr., SS/2B; Miranda McMahon, Sr., OF; Ainsley McQuiston, Sr., 1B/OF; Aubrey Valenteen, Sr., SS; Susan Duncan, Jr., 1B/P.
Outlook: Phoenixville turns to Henderson at the helm, who replaces Jennie Anderson. She’ll need to find a way to replace Jamie Deni, Kelly Knapp and Lainey Michaud (shortstop) in the infield and will look to Lochetto, Marosek, Valenteen and Buckwalter to do just that. Eldridge returns after a solid season in the circle and will eat up innings for a Phantoms squad that has finished with six or seven conference wins in four of the past five seasons. “We lost some outstanding players from last year’s team, but we have some very hungry players looking to step into their shoes this season. We are looking forward to working hard and competing in every game. We are going to go out and play this season one game at a time and hopefully at the end of the season we have grown and done enough things right to play some postseason softball.”
POPE JOHN PAUL II
Coach: Amanda Knight, third season.
Last year’s record: 5-13 PAC and overall.
Players to watch: Amanda Butera, Sr., SS; Gabrielle Simms, Jr., 2B; Alexandra Szpindor, Jr., P/OF; Hope Robinson, Jr., 1B/3B; Ashley Remington, Jr., DH/P/1B; Grace Harvey, So., C; Nicole Bowen, Jr., OF.
Outlook: Not happy with their overall record from last season, the Golden Panthers will look a large returning class to improve their standing in the PAC. Szpindor and Remington’s work in the offseason has them hoping to be a 1-2 punch in the circle that can put more wins in the win column and have mentored freshmen Faith Heyser and Ashley Haggerty in the process. Simms stays at second while Robinson shifts over to third with Harvey returning behind the plate after a productive freshman season. Joining the team is Bowen, a transfer from East Lyme High School in Connecticut.
POTTSGROVE
Coach: Jessica Norris, first season.
Last year’s record: 10-8 PAC, 11-10 overall. Advanced to District 1-AAA playoffs.
Players to watch: Jenna Yerger, Sr., OF; Rachel Cherubini, Sr., INF; Cori Dickinson, Sr., 3B; Shauna Maggio, Sr., OF; Kira Livezey, Jr., P; Jay Dinnocenti, Jr., C; Rayna Markle, Jr, P/OF; Kelsey Hochstuhl, So., INF. Olivia Klaptosky, So., OF.
Outlook: Jessica Norris, a standout from her days at Spring-Ford and West Chester University, takes over for Julie Davis and will head a program that returns an experienced core group from last season. Livezey will get her fair share of time in the circle and will use the experience from last season to her benefit as she replaces the departed Gabby Ermish (Bryant University) and Jenna Trythall (Gwynedd Mercy). The time is now for Cherubini, Yerger, Dickinson and Maggio to lead as the Falcons gun for another district playoff berth and a berth into the PAC playoffs for the second time in three seasons.
POTTSTOWN
Coach: Chloe Seidel, first season.
Last year’s record: 0-18 PAC, 0-20 overall.
Players to watch: Gianna Epps, Jr., Utility; Rachel Levengood, Sr., 2B; Alivia Lopez, Sr., 1B; Kat Kincade, Sr., P; Mary Gerry, So., 3B; London Aquino, So., C; Marissa Walker, Fr., OF/C.
Outlook: Small improvements will be key for Pottstown as Seidel enters his first year as the Trojans’ head coach. She likes what she’s seen so far, especially with the mix of her veteran and new players. “I am looking forward to starting a new page for Pottstown softball,” Seidel said. “The seasoned players have stepped up and shown dedication to help the new girls with throwing, fielding and batting. They are really showing practice. We hope to get a couple wins this year and focus on growing the program for the future.”
SPRING-FORD
Coach: Tim Hughes, 21st season.
Last year’s record: 14-4 PAC, 19-5 overall. PAC champions. Advanced to District 1-AAAA quarterfinals.
Players to watch: Megan Kern, Sr., Utility (All-State First Team Selection; PAC MVP; Mercury All-Area Player of the Year); Sophia Cinti, Sr., OF (Mercury All-Area Second Team selection); Maggie McConney, Sr., IF (Mercury All-Area First Team selection); Morgan Maziarz, Sr., OF; Abbey Zollers, Sr., IF; Ashley Venella, Sr., OF.
Outlook: Spring-Ford remains a candidate to repeat as PAC champions and it’s not hard to explain why. Team’s lineup is loaded from top to bottom and pitchers have been unable to pitch around Kern, a St. Joseph’s commit, because every other batter in their lineup is dangerous. Rams return majority of their starters minus Jess Della Guardia and have the pieces in place offensively and defensively to make a run at defending their PAC title. Expect starter Sam Lindsay to continue to develop and eat up innings in circle for Rams.
UPPER MERION
Coach: John Whitney, 10th season.
Last year’s record: 14-0 Suburban One American, 18-3 overall.
Players to watch: Alyssa Adinolfi, Sr., INF; Lauren DelGiudice, So., IF/OF.
Outlook: Upper Merion graduated Reporter Area Player of the Year in pitcher Olivia Sborlini. She graduated as the all-time wins leader in Upper Merion history, finishing off an illustrious career with 50 pitching victories. Now, after four straight SOL American championships, the Vikings return only one starter, Adinolfi, in their first season in the PAC.
UPPER PERKIOMEN
Coach: Dean Sullivan, second season.
Last year’s record: 7-11 PAC, 7-12 overall.
Players to watch: Olivia Young, Sr., CF/3B; Emily Moll, Sr., RF/P; Sarah Heidler, Sr., SS/3B; Karlee Fretz, Jr., P/INF; Taylor Lindsay, Jr., P; Alyssa Sullivan, Jr., 1B; Morgan Lindsay, Fr., C.
Outlook: Projections of Upper Perkiomen making the PAC playoffs were a year early in 2016, but 2017 looks promising. The Indians return a bevy of starters from their resurgent 2016 season and will be in position to make a run at a sought after PAC playoff position come May. Young (Cabrini College commit) and Moll (Frostberg University commit) return and will make a place at the top of the lineup with Heidler, Sullivan, Fretz and the Lindsay sisters following behind, all who have some pop. Sullivan turns to Gail Kooser to stabilize a defense that struggled a bit last season. Seniors Kourtne Buck and Carly Bernhart will also look to make an impact this season. As always “staying healthy and injury free will be key for our team,” Sullivan said. “With a good mixture of experienced seniors and juniors, and some talented sophomores and freshmen, we hope to make a run for our division.”
