Chester County Softball Team-by-Team Previews

Avon Grove
Coach: Mike Deluzio, 2nd year

Last year: 24-4, Ches-Mont National Champs, PIAA Class AAAA runner-up
Key Returning players: Rachel Butler, Jr., P; Olivia Kunitsky, So, C; Allyson Wallauer, Jr., 1B, Morgan DeFeo, Jr., SS; Megan Nolan, Sr., OF
Key Newcomers: Lexi Barnhart, Fr., OF; Brooke Salisbury, Fr., OF; Megan Kristman, Fr., 3B
Outlook: Last year the Devils had a run for the ages, reaching the state championship game, where they lost an extra inning heartbreaker. Nearly the entirety of that team returns, with the notable exception of pitcher Maggie Balint, now tearing it up at the Division 1 college level. Butler obviously has some huge shoes to fill, but if the Devils can put up some runs, they will be right in the hunt for their fourth straight National division crown.

Bishop Shanahan
Coach: Ron Savastio, 12th year
Last year: 11-15, District 1. Class AAA runners-up
Key Returning players: 1B; Katie Newton, Jr. C; Marley Weston, Jr. 3B; Andi Weyand, Jr, CF;
Key Newcomers: Casey McCallister, Jr., 1B; Emily Saro, Fr. SS
Outlook: The Eagles caught fire during last year’s District 1, Class AAA tournament, reaching the title game before falling to Villa Maria. Shanahan returns its ace in sophomore fireballer Devon Miller, and top notch pitching can carry you a long way in high school softball. With newcomers McCallister and Saro off to hot starts, and Newton, Weston and Weyand picking up where they left off, Shanahan is looking to improve on last year’s deep post season run.

Coatesville
Coach: Bill Mendenhall, 3rd year
Last Year: 16-5, 2nd place Ches-Mont National, District 1 Class AAAA qualfier
Key Returners:
Ashley Mendenhall–Sr., C/1B; Brianna White-Sr., P; Maggie Kane-Jr., SS; Ella Vetter-Jr., OF; Ashley Traband, Jr., 2B; Dominique Ricevuto, Sr., 1B/OF

Key Newcomers: Payton Landis, So.,1B; Maddie Fleming, Jr., 3B

Outlook. Simply put, the red Raiders are loaded, returning seven starters from a team already on the rise a year ago. Mendenhall, already signed with LaSalle University, looks to go out with bang. White, a Millersville recruit, will take over fulltime duties in the circle. The everyday line-up has already shown the kind of firepower it can deliver. Put it all together and the Red Raiders have the look of a team that can be playing deep into June.

Conestoga
Coach: Pete Ricci, 2nd Year
Last year: 11-9 overall, 106-6 Central League
Key Returnees: Sr. Sr.-P-Jillian Kostenbauder, Sr.-OF- Caleigh Sturgeon, Sr.-OF-Bridget Whitlow Jr. 2B-Rachel Lopez, So. SS-Olivia Cepielik, So. C- Emme Rycyzyn
Key Newcomers: Fr. –P- Lauren Lofland, So. CF Jennie Noll, Jr. 3B Cassie Milanek, Jr- 1B- Katie Mayock

Outlook: The Pioneers have good senior leadership, which will be crucial as Conestoga attempts to introduce eight new players into its system. Though young, the Pioneers should be just fine with the leather, and that solid defensive play will be imperative if the Pioneers hope to get off on the right foot. The early season schedule with Ridley, Garnet Valley, Upper.Darby and Haverford on the slate, will speak volumes as to the Pioneers growth.

Downingtown East
Coach: Mike Williamson, 1st year
Key returning players: Faith Willebrock, Sr., SS; Jenn Wilcox, Sr., C; Amelie Nazza, Sr., 2B; Jess Meluskey, Jr., P; Claire Kelly, Jr., P; Steph Jacoby, So., CF
Key Newcomers: Ally Meakim, So., 1B; Hannah Lehman, So., Of
General Outlook: With Willenbrock and Jacoby as anchors, the middle of the Cougar order should be formidable. In early action, the East defense has been beyond solid, which can only help pitchers Kelly and Meluskey. Williamson believes this is a team that compete with everyone, as long as he’s getting contributions up and down the line-up.

Downingtown West
Coach: Joey Germani, 4th year
Last year: 15-6, district qualifier
Key returning players:  Lili Najim, Jr., P, Caitlyn Coker, So., C; Nina Gallagher, So., 2B; Hannah Greider, So., OF

Key Newcomer:  Natalie Beebe, Fr., OF

Outlook:  The Whippets are young, and will need to replace the 3-4-5 slots in their order.  But this is a team with much more speed than in recent years, and figure to be scrappier up and down the line-up.  Germani expects his pitching will be solid, so how quickly the younger players step up will determine the fate of the Whippets

Great Valley
Coach: Jeff Celucci, 3rd year
Last year: 15-5, Ches-Mont American Champs, District qualifier
Key Returners: Morgan Orlowski, Sr., P; Kasey Bryan, Sr., C
Key Newcomers: Erin Bevec, So., SS/3B
Outlook: The Patriots have one of the top pitchers in the country returning in LaSalle recruit Morgan Orlowski, along with her battery-mate, catcher Kasey Bryan. But Coach Jeff Celucci is facing the daunting task or replacing eight graduated seniors when Great Valley had no JV team a year ago. Sophomore Erin Bevec at least saw some playing time a year ago, but how quickly the rest of the newcomers can acclimate themselves to high school softball will be how fast the rebuilding process goes for the Patriots.

Kennett
Coach: Lauren Gottstein
Last year’s record: 6-14, 5th, Ches-Mont American
Key returning players: Sr. CF Kylee Harvey, Sr. P Maddie Bowe, Sr. SS Samantha Weaver, Sr. 1B Sarah Oscar,
Key newcomers: Sr. LF Jamie Wessels, Fr. C. Ainsley Albert, Fr. 2B Jordan Barish
Outlook:  Gottstein takes the reins from long-time coach Kevin Reigel after four years at the helm of the Blue demons’ middle school program. The coaching staff has set high expectations for this season and look to rebuild a team with a lot of young players around a core group of seniors. The goal is to help players reach their potential while winning key games within the league.

Octorara
Coach: Andrew Napolitano, 1st year
Key Returning players: Seniors: Emma Carr 1B, Brooke King CF, , Haley Arnsberger C, Camryn Koennecker, 3B; Junior: Mackenzie Coombs P; Sophomores: Morgan Lee SS,
Outlook: Though the Braves have struggled the past few seasons, coach Napolitano has reason for optimism as a very strong group of athletic sophomores and freshman move up to the varsity level to add depth and versatility to the team. Napolitano expects this team to be turning some heads this year and to make a big future impact.

Oxford
Coach: John Green, 3rd year
Last year: 7-13, tied 5th, Ches-Mont American
Key returning players: Carley Stoltzfus, Sr., P; Madeline Hamilton, Sr., 1B, Gianna Coyle So., OF/2B; Abbey O’Connor So., C/OF
Key newcomers: Alexis Pearson Fr., IF;
Outlook: The Hornets return their starting pitcher, a steady hurler who throws strikes, and a solid core of returning position players. Oxford’s goal is simply to win more games than a year ago, while showing improvement game to game. Figure Oxford to be in the thick of things in a wide-open Ches-Mont American.

Unionville
Coach: Carly DiVirgilio
Key returning players: Mel Hammond, Sr., C; Olivia Hojnacki, Sr., CF, Anna DeShaies, Jr., SS; Analise Griffiths, So., OF; Amanda Cromartie, So., 2B
Key newcomers: Maddie Fritch, So., P; Alex Harris, Sr. OF
Outlook: Harris, a transfer from Florida, joins Hammond and Hojnacki in a leadership role having an effect on and off the field with the younger players. The Indians can hit, so if Unionville can put solid defense behind its young pitchers, contending in the American division is not out of the question.

West Chester East
Coach: Bobby Swire
Last year: 17-10, 4th in Ches-Mont National, District 1 4A 3rd, State quarterfinalist
Key returning players: Molly Ahearn, Sr., 1B; Amilia Andraos, Sr., SS; Sam Gomez, So., C; Kayla MacLaughlin, So., 3B; Amelia Lark, Jr., P
Key newcomers: Paige Olson, Fr., CF; Mackinzie Thompson, So., LF; Kelsey McLaughlin So., 2B

Outlook: the 2017 Vikings will have a much different look than took the field for last year’s state quarterfinal game, as East lost seven starters to graduation. Coach Swier has a young team, but one that has put in the work in the off-season and pre-season. Early returns have been great, and the Vikings should be competitive once again this season.

West Chester Henderson
Coach: Chris Hessler, 2nd year
Last year: 13-9, District qualifier
Key returning players: Carly Bullock Sr., CF; Erin Golden Sr., 3B; Corinne Ciarrocchi Sr., 2B; Rebecca Gray, Sr., 1B, Kasey Collins Jr., SS
Key newcomers: Grace Abbonizio Fr., OF
Outlook: For the first time this decade, the Warriors will go through a season without a pitcher named Butts. However, Henderson does have a solid core of returning players. With key returning starters led by a solid group of senior leaders, Henderson is looking to build on the team success they had last year, and be back in the hunt for a division crown.

West Chester Rustin
Coach: Bruce Dudley, 8th Year
Last year: 10-10/3rd American

Key Returning Players: Alexandra LaRosa, Sr., OF, Lexi Wright, Jr., SS; Madison Fife, So., C;
Samantha LaRosa, So., 1B, Nicole Inforzato, So., 2B/P; Xena Maganas, Sr., DP
Key Newcomers: Hope Geissler, Fr., 3B/OF ; Holly Kelleghan, Sr, OF/1B; Tiffany Zavitsky, So., OF
Outlook: As is par for the course at Rustin, this team should put runs on the board. The line-up, anchored by last year’s RBI leader Fife, can hit from 1-9. If the Knights can get pitching to match the offensive firepower, this could be a successful post season that will see Rustin reach its goal of returning to post season action

Villa Maria
Coach: Nicole Hartshorn, 2nd year
Last year: 22-3 , AACA Champs, District 1 Class AAA champs
Key returning players: Alyssa Viscardo, So., P; Marissa Bruder, Jr. OF, Bri Wright, Sr., 2B, Lisa Becker, Sr. LF
Outlook: Despite losing Class AAA State record holder for strikeouts, Maddie Abbot, to graduation, the Hurricanes are a solid bet to contend for its third straight District 1 title. Sophomore Alyssa Viscardo moves from shortstop into the circle, and figures to pick up right where Abbot left off. Bri Wright, as clutch a hitter as you’ll find in the county, anchors an order that always seems to put up runs when it needs them.