2019 Mercury-Area Softball Preview
Boyertown
Coach: Kim Musselman, 3rd season
Last year’s record: 7-9 PAC, 9-11 overall
Players to watch: Kylie Hertzler, Sr., C; Haley Buckley, Sr., IF; Caitlin Keenan, Jr., OF/P; Alexandria Schaefer, Jr., P; Julia Smith, Jr., OF; Rachel Hartman, So., IF; MacKenzie Shaner, So., DP/C; Logan Black, So., OF/C; Morgan Sauers, So., IF.
Outlook: Close results didn’t break the Bears’ way very often in 2018, a 9-11 record feeling unkind for a team more talented than that mark. The power in the lineup returns in senior Kylie Hertzler and sophomore MacKenzie Shaner while junior Alex Schaefer takes lead pitching duties after the graduation of Allison Melahn (Albright), as well as Veronica Maryanski (PSU Berks) and Naiya Murray (West Chester). The Bears will hope their promising sophomore class can give the spark that gets them to a winning season. “While we are returning starters at a few key positions from last year’s team, we are also excited by the success some of the younger girls had when given the opportunity last year and the improvement we have seen in the players over the winter,” said coach Kim Musselman.
Daniel Boone
Coach: Lee Trythall, 4th season
Last year’s record: 8-2 Berks I, 18-4 overall, Berks champions, District 3-5A qualifier
Players to watch: Liz Nitka, Jr., 3B; Cait McCrone, Jr., P; Dani Hayes, So., SS; Kristen DiNolfi, Fr., CF.
Outlook: Last season was one of many highs for the Blazers, most notably winning the Berks County championship. The campaign ended abruptly in a District 3-5A first round upset loss to Northeastern, a result that will serve as motivation as the Blazers chase a county repeat and deeper postseason run. Daniel Boone has a quality core returning but must replace graduated pitcher Heather Hall (DeSales) and centerfielder Sydney Hayes (Villanova). Leading the returnees are All-Berks third baseman Liz Nitka, sophomore shortstop Dani Hayes and junior Cait McCrone, who takes over at pitcher. Coach Lee Trythall is confident in his lineup – “We hit, a ton!” he said – and expects the Blazers to contend in the county again despite moving to Berks II. As for their goals: “First is another county championship, then a trip to states. We believe we have a shot at Final Four in the state the next two years.”
Hill School
Coach: Wayne Finkbeiner, 1st season (interim for Kristen Walter)
Last year’s record: 4-10 overall
Players to watch: Meghan Dempsey, Sr., P/OF; Alexa Giacche, Sr., SS/C; Jamie Auerbach, Sr., C/OF; Tori Moran, Sr., P/IF.
Outlook: With experienced seniors around the diamond, led by pitcher Meghan Dempsey (UMBC commit) and shortstop Alexa Giacche, Hill has its sights set on making a push in the Mid-Atlantic Prep League. Interim coach Wayne Finkbeiner expressed the need for his outfield to be shored up by less experienced players, but in his estimation the time is now for the Blues: “We’re looking to capitalize on an experienced group of players,” he said.
Methacton
Head coach: Cathy Miller, 38th season
Last year’s record: 10-6 PAC, 12-8 overall, PAC Final Four and District 1-6A qualifier
Players to watch: Abby Penjuke, Sr., SS: Kiki Hamilton, Sr., 2B; Taylor Angelillis, Sr., 1B/3B; Caroline Pellicano, Jr., P; Nichole Dorn, Jr., CF; Carley Sorber, Jr., LF; Kelci Cost, Jr., C; Paige Deal, So., P/1B; Caraline Newman, So., 3B; Haley Chapman, So., OF; Olivia Terry, So.; Tori Bockrath, Fr.; Nicole Timko, Fr.
Outlook: Methacton was one of the PAC’s upper echelon teams last season as a Final Four qualifier and should remain there this season. The departure of Aubrey Seal (La Salle) will be felt, but a solid core is in tact with senior shortstop Abby Penjuke and junior pitcher Caroline Pellicano leading the way. Veteran coach Cathy Miller expects to have another strong team defensively, while finding ways to string together hits against top-tier pitchers is an issue that carries over into this season “With our key returning players and the mix of “new to varsity” players, defensively, we should be in good shape,” Miller said. “Offensively, the players have been working hard and should have a productive season.” Similar to last season, the Warriors look like part of the chase pack in the PAC Liberty and a district playoff contender.
Norristown
Coach: Me’Lisa Morgan, 2nd season
Last year’s record: 1-15 PAC, 3-15 overall
Players to watch: Ashley Kinsey, Sr., C; Mya Humphries, Jr., 3B; Alia Fisher, Jr., 2B; Marissa Dell, Jr., 1B/P; Jordyn Bell, Fr., OF; Erin Morse, Fr., 1B/OF/P; Shannon Taylor, Fr., P/OF; Margo Johnson, Fr., SS/OF/1B; Ariana McIntyre, Fr., OF.
Outlook: Second-year coach Me’Lisa Morgan is meeting the challenge facing the Eagles in a stacked PAC Liberty Division by bringing some first-year personnel to a handful of returning players. “The team has been working hard during the preseason to prepare for this upcoming season, including getting to know the coach and the new coaching staff,” Morgan said. “We have a core group of returning players, and strong group of freshman whom I am looking to get put in and play right away.”
Owen J. Roberts
Coach: Jen Beaver, 4th season
Last year’s record: 12-4 PAC, 13-8 overall, PAC Final Four and District 1-6A qualifier
Players to watch: Casey Walker, Sr., C; Madison Twaddell, Sr., OF; Maddie Daubert, Sr., IF; Sam Walsh, So., P/IF; Morgan Twaddell, So., 1B; Jordan Sylvia, So., IF.
Outlook: The Wildcats managed to uphold their high standards last year even without a large senior presence and a freshman starting pitcher so there are many positives to call back upon despite some end-of-season struggles (1-5 in final six games). Sophomore Sam Walsh returns in the circle while seniors Casey Walker (La Salle) and Madison Twaddell (Holy Family Univ.) lead a capable lineup. “This season, we’re looking to build off of what we did last year. We have an awesome group of girls who work hard and are motivated to succeed. Our league is very competitive, and we know that we need to put forth our best effort every day,” coach Jen Beaver said. OJR is primed to build on past success and should contend in the PAC and make a deeper run in the district playoffs.
Perkiomen Valley
Coach: Joe Bogus, 2nd season
Last year’s record: 10-6 PAC, 11-8 overall
Players to watch: Jordan Sell, Sr., SS; Ashley Bangert, Sr., 3B; Sela Fusco, Sr., OF; Katie Hurd, Sr., P; Kara Fusco, Jr., 1B; Bella Bruni, Jr., P.
Outlook: The Vikings were shut out of the postseason last year despite winning marks in the PAC and overall. That streak should end at one with PV very much a contender for PAC and District 1 playoff places. Leading the team will be 6A All-State first team shortstop Jordan Sell, and All-Area second team third baseman Ashley Bangert. “The standard at PV has been set over the years as a very successful program. It is our goal to continue in achieving that standard,” said coach Joe Bogus. Bogus, the former longtime Phoenixville head coach now in his second year at PV, likes the look of his team’s glovework. “A position of strength and a goal we have for our team every season is to play quality, strong defense. It is our hope that our defense will keep us in games this season,” he said.
Phoenixville
Coach: Claire Emplit, 1st season
Last year’s record: 7-9 PAC Frontier, 9-11 overall, District 1-5A qualifier
Players to watch: Katie Rutledge, Sr., 2B; Emma Rakowski, Sr., SS; Maggie Duncan, Jr., 1B; Aubrie Breisblatt, So., OF; Hayden Perrone, So., OF; Kendall Brown, So., P; Courtney Gable, So., P
Outlook: With the vast majority of last year’s District 1-5A entrant returning, the Phantoms intend to build of their 2018 positives under new coach Claire Emplit, who previously led the softball programs at Villa Maria and Eastern University, with a return trip to districts. Senior Katie Rutledge, junior Maggie Duncan and sophomore Aubrie Breisblatt are returning All-Area honorable mentions while sophomore Kendall Brown is back in the circle. “This year’s team possess quickness that should lead to runs across the plate,” Emplit said. “The team must be mentally strong to reduce the number of errors in the field in order to be successful. This year’s team is versatile but they must be confident in their skills and not afraid to try something different to make plays happen.”
Pope John Paul II
Coach: Amanda Knight, 5th season
Last year’s record: 8-8 PAC, 11-9 overall, District 1-4A runner-up
Players to watch: Grace Harvey, Sr., C; Isabel Ammer, Sr., SS; Skylar Bass, Sr., OF; Giann McFarland, Sr., 3B/OF; Ashley Haggerty, Jr., 1B/SS/P; Faith Heyser, Jr., P/1B; Ashlyn Lewis, Jr., 2B; Anna Vitelli, Jr., 2B/OF: Dani Dare, So., P/OF; Alex DiCampello, So., OF; Allyson Hourigan, Fr., OF/3B; Katie Talis, Fr., OF.
Outlook: The Golden Panthers had a strong year in 2018 with a record over .500 and an appearance in the District 1-4A championship where it fell just short to Upper Perkiomen, 1-0. The degree of difficulty appears higher this season with the graduation of six, including All-Area first team infielder Gabby Simms (University of the Sciences) and outfielder Nicole Bowen (SUNY New Paltz), and a move to Class 5A. PJP will look to the leadership of four-year starting catcher Grace Harvey (Lafayette recruit) to guide a young pitching staff that will feature juniors Faith Heyser and Ashley Haggerty and sophomore Dani Dare. Coach Amanda Knight believes in the versatility of her roster. “This year we have a lot of different players that can play a variety of positions that will help us stay strong in each game with a great defense behind every pitcher that is on the mound,” she said. “We are really focusing on communication and working together. Each player has their own strength and if we work together we should have a very successful season.”
Pottsgrove
Coach: Jessica Norris, 3rd season
Last year’s record: 3-13 PAC, 4-15 overall
Players to watch: Kelsey Hochstuhl, Sr., Utility; Savannah Wilson, Jr., SS.
Outlook: Pottsgrove is focusing on the basics as it tries to improve on last year’s four-win season. “We have great team chemistry this year,” coach Jessica Norris said. “Our goal is to build on our fundamentals and produce runs whenever possible.” The Falcons must replace pitcher Kira Livezey (Scranton) and will look to the leadership of versatile senior Kelsey Hochstuhl.
Pottstown
Coach: Jon McKee, 2nd season
Last year’s record: 0-16 PAC, 2-18 overall
Players to watch: Mikayla Hampton, Sr., CF; London Aquino, Sr., C/2B; ME Gery, Sr., 3B; Caitlin Mattingly, Jr., P; Haley Haas, So., SS; Faith Roach, So., 2B.
Outlook: Pottstown features a ‘young and inexperienced team’, according to coach Jon McKee, but the hope is that offseason work can translate into greater on-field success and putting an end to the program’s lengthy winless run in the Pioneer Athletic Conference. “The girls have been working very hard every day at practice with the goal in mind of being better today than we were yesterday,” McKee said. “We have had a bunch of girls take advantage of offseason training and firmly believe that their hard work will pay off.”
Spring-Ford
Coach: Tim Hughes, 23rd season
Last year’s record: 16-0 PAC, 17-2 overall, PAC Final Four & District 1-6A qualifier
Players to watch: Samantha Lindsay, Sr., P; Maddy Little, Sr., OF; Bridget Sharkey, Sr., OF; Julia Heine, Sr., IF; Jules Hughes, Sr., IF; Logan Bonewitz, Sr., IF; Ashley Della Guardia, Jr., 1B; Bri Peck, So., SS/P; Noelle Reid, So., OF.
Outlook: The Rams had few off days in 2018, running the table in the Pioneer Athletic Conference and going 17-2. Unfortunately, one of those off days came in a terrible spot – an upset loss to Garnet Valley as the No. 2 seed in the District 1-6A playoffs, a premature end to a run full of promise. Adding to the misfortune, the Rams were favorites to win the PAC championship but the league playoffs were cancelled by poor weather. Spring-Ford returns its entire lineup, including All-Area first teamers Samantha Lindsay (pitcher), Bri Peck (shortstop) and second teamers Ashley Della Guardia (first base) and Noelle Reid (outfield). “I believe we have a good nucleus of senior leaders this year that subscribe to the “TEAM” concept,” veteran coach Tim Hughes said. “I’m hoping that continues to flow down through younger players to alleviate the “showcase” mentality that continues to grow in our sport. That typically has a good indication of where we will end up.” There’s every reason to believe the Rams are the favorite in the PAC with potential for runs in the District 1-6A and PIAA playoffs.
Upper Merion
Coach: Missy Toto, 2nd season
Last year’s record/accomplishments: 8-8 PAC, 10-10 overall, District 1-5A second round
Players to watch: Lauren Del Giudice, Sr., SS; Kayla Warren, Sr., P; Katelyn O’Brien, Sr., OF; Alexis Ettorre, Sr., OF; Moira Ryan, Jr., 1B; Olivia Barr, Jr., P; Valentina Marino, So., C.
Outlook: Upper Merion has a solid blend of upperclassmen – led by All-PAC Frontier players Kayla Warren, Lauren Del Giudice and Olivia Barr – returning and figures to be a part of the chase pack in the PAC Frontier Division. The focus in the preseason has been on being more potent with the bat in their hands. “We have been working on hitting during the offseason and preseason. We hit well, overall, last year, but hope to see more consistent hitting from all of our players this season,” coach Missy Toto said. “Our players have so much talent and if we can stay focused on softball, we’ll be competitive with everyone we face.”
Upper Perkiomen
Coach: Dean Sullivan, 4th season
Last year’s record: 14-2 PAC, 17-5 overall, District 1-4A champion, PIAA 4A qualifier
Players to watch: Alexa Banner, Sr., OF/SS; Gail Kooser, Sr., 2B; Morgan Lindsay, Jr., C; Kelsey Bernhart, Jr., 3B/LF; Jenna Sullivan, So., OF; Sierra Fretz, So., 3B/1B/C; Taylor Croak, So., P/1B; Lily Dibble, So., P; Kylene Gooch, Fr., U; Dani Freer, Fr., SS/OF; Lynnsi Joyce, Fr., C/OF.
Outlook: Upper Perk has emerged as the elite team in the PAC Frontier Division in the past two years and are back-to-back District 1-4A champions. The Tribe are positioned to stay there, but have three All-State players to replace in pitcher Taylor Lindsay (York College), last year’s Mercury All-Area Player of the Year, plus Alyssa Sullivan (PSU-Brandywine) and Karlee Fretz (Virginia Wesleyan). Coach Dean Sullivan appears confident in his new additions being able to keep Upper Perk, which bumped up to Class 5A this year, as a top team in the area. “With Colgate commit Morgan Lindsay ready to lead this team offensively and behind the plate, Jenna Sullivan along with Alexa Banner should give great top of the lineup speed and cause havoc on the bases,” Sullivan said. “Gail Kooser brings great defense and team leadership. Kelsey Bernhart and Sierra Fretz bring big bats to a very balanced offense. Taylor Croak could become a dominant pitcher in this league while Lily Dibble will stabilize our staff.”
