2022 Chester County Softball Team-by-Team Previews

Over the past decade, Chester County has, year in and year out, proven to be one of the very best areas for softball. Last season, West Chester East captured the District 1 Class 5A crown after edging Kennett in an extra-innings, semifinal nailbiter, while the Blue Demons rebounded to qualify for the state tourney.
Reigning Daily Local News Player of the Year, Genevieve Ebaugh, who committed to continue her softball career collegiately for the University of Maryland, returns for her senior campaign at Kennett. The hard throwing Ebaugh would easily be on pace for 1,000-career strikeouts, if not for losing losing a season due to COVID-19.
West Chester East coach Bobby Swier will, for the first time in his time at the helm, will field a line-up with not a single Gomez in it, as twins, Amanda and Jessica, were among a slew of graduation. But, the Vikings do return veterans Carey Werley, Mia Kulp, Emma Pinto and Rebecca Crump, and hope to make their annual run at the state tournament.
Elsewhere around the Ches-Mont, Downingtown West, the two-time defending National Division champions, comes back with a very strong line-up once again, led by the speedy Meghan Sinkus and the power of Morgan DeFreitas, both first team All-Area selections a year ago who just might challenge Ebaugh for Player of the Year honors this season.

Another local who figures to be in the Player of the Year conversation is Conestoga’s Libby Winters. The Pioneers shortstop, who has been recruited by Cornell for her talents both on the field and in the classroom, hit a county-high .585 last season.
Downingtown East, a district qualifier a year ago, hopes to improve under new head coach Peggy O’Dwyer, moving up following the retirement of long-time coach Bill Williamson. The Cougars are led by catcher Nikki Sudall, a first team All-Area selection a year ago.
West Chester Rustin, which closed out the 2021 regular season as co-champs with Kennett in the American Division, are young and hungry, and look to claim the crown for themselves this season. The Knights are led by a trio of talented seniors in co-captains Ally Black, Gina DelGiorno and Mairead Hopkins.
The following is a look at the area teams.
Avon Grove
Coach: Andria Pannell, 4th year as Head Coach, 10th year at AG.
Top Returners: Cait Long, Sr. C; Ana DiCampli, Jr., CF; Taylor Morris, Sr., SS; Maddie Kelly, So.n 1B; Payton Hale, So., P; Mel Sabastro, Jr., OF/3B.
Outlook: With a nice mix of senior leadership and young talent, the Red Devils figure to get back in the mix for a National crown. Long (.484/6 HR/29 R) is a four-year starter, and will enter her second season as captain. DiCampli (6 HR/ 27 R/22 RBI) will serve as co-captain. Morris, another four-year starter, will anchor the infield defense and had a sparkling fielding percentage of .957 last season.
Bishop Shanahan
Coach: Ed Delio, 3rd year
Top returning starters:: Ava Laughlin, Sr., OF (Worcester Polytechnic Institute commit) Kathleen McGeoy, Sr, OF (Delaware Valley University), Molly Delio, Sr, C (Arcadia University), Allison Andrey, Sr, 3B/OF, Julia Vito, Sr.,1B/C, Alexa Bojko, Jr., SS, Ashlyn Gunn, Jr., P, Abby Redden, Jr, 2B.
Outlook: “We are a skilled and experienced team with 8 returning Varsity starters and strong Senior Captain Leadership,” said Delio. “We will be a very competitive team this season. Our captains Julia (Vito), Allison (Andrey), Kathleen (McGeoy), Ava (Laughlin) and Molly (Delio) are excellent leaders that instill confidence and direction for the team. This is the third year of our program and we are successfully building on the tradition and success of Shanahan softball.”
Coatesville
Coach: Bill Mendenhall, 7th year
Top returning players: Caitlyn Reynolds (Jr., OF, P), Emma Friel (Sr, C, Goldey Beacom College), Melanie Panik (Sr., IF, University of Scranton), Caitlyn Hinton (Sr., 1B/P, Arcadia University) Megan Gochenauer (Jr., P)
Top Newcomers- Kaitlyn Ward(So., IF) Ashley Strigner(Jr., OF)
Outlook: “Coatesville is eager to rebound after last year and compete for the Ches-Mont National Division title and make a return to the district playoffs,” said Mendenhall. “We will get good pitching and play good defense. Consistency on offense will be the key to our success. A difficult early season schedule will test us.”
Conestoga
Coaches: Todd Whitlow 5th year; Charlotte Bosco 1st year (co-head coaches)
Top returning starters: LIbby Winters, (Sr, SS, Cornell) Allison Roessler, Sr., 1B,), Sydney Tartaglio, Sr., P) Hannah Zhang, Sr., 2B; Tessa McGarrity, Sr., OF; Casey Kovarick, Jr., 3B)
Top newcomers: Louisa Andreuzzi, Jr., C, Ruija Yang, So., OF.
Outlook: “Conestoga softball is all about attitude and effort,” said Whitlow.
Downingtown East
Coach: Peggy O’Dwyer, 6th season, 1st season as head coach
Top returning starters: Nicki Sudall, (Sr, C); Rachael Schumann, (So., P); Grace Roth, (Sr, CF); Hannah Klein, (Sr., 2B); Sydni Townsend (Sr., 3B), Ashley Ponto (Sr, LF), Kelcey Greene (Sr, RF), Julia Thornton (Sr, 1B), Steph Alessandro (Jr, SS)
Top newcomers: Jade Jenkins, So., (P,/IF), Lilly Waterer, Fr. (C,/IF)
Outlook: Led by the battery of 4th-year varsity catcher Sudall, who posted a .500-plus average a year ago, and pitcher Schuman, who dazzled in the Cougars’ scrimmage against Haverford, Downingtown East plans to be very competitive in the Ches-Mont with a goal of making a return trip to the district playoffs.
Downingtown West
Coach: Joey Germani, Downingtown West, 11th season.
Top returning: Meghan Sinkus (Sr., CF, St. Joe’s commit), Morgan DeFreitas (Sr., 1B, Gettysburg), Nicole Lioumis, Sr., C, Bucknell),, Ava Zettlemoyer Sr., P, U of Maine), Darby Weller (Jr., LF); Mavica Mendez (Jr., C/DP East Stroudsburg); Lizzie Kern (So., UT) Emma Ahlborn So., UT.)
Top newcomers: Addison Carter (Fr., P,); Lauren Largoza (Jr., OF); MJ Nicholson (Jr., 1B)
Outlook: “We have a great senior class who provide great leadership to our team and have big goals,” said Germani. “They all work hard and get along well together and are a fun bunch of lady athletes. We look to keep tradition alive and take one game at a time.”
Great Valley
Coach: Rob Montgomery, 3rd year as head coach, 8th as varsity coach
Top returning players: Amy Magee (Sr., P) Chloe Becker (Jr., OF); Nandita Kaylan (Sr., OF); Sydney Baur (Sr., 3B) Ayla Stenburg (Jr., SS).
Top newcomers: Maddie Kirker (So., C); Paityn Sunderland (So, UT), Emily Yost (So. UT), Sarah Yost (Fr., P)
Outlook: “With seven returning starters, the softball team expects to see the improvement that comes with experience,” said Montgomery. “After pitching every inning of every game last year, senior captain and starter Amy Magee once again will get the lion’s share of time in the circle, while All-league selections Junior Chloe Becker and Senior Nandita Kaylan should lead the outfield defense and spark the top of the Patriot lineup.”
Kennett
Coach: Lauren Gottstein, 6th year
Top returning players: Shannon Harvey, (Sr., OF, East Stroudsburg University commit) Genevieve Ebaugh (Sr., P, Univeristy of Maryland)
Top Newcomers: Hailey Kahrs (Fr., CF) Sarah Mullin (Fr., 1B)
Ooutlook: Looking to build upon last season, when the Blue Demons reached the state tourney, Kennett will lean on dual threat Genevieve Ebaugh (.484/9 HR; 1.115 ERA/318K) and Shannon Harvey (.375 avg) returning as seniors. “I am looking forward to seeing a few new freshmen in our starting lineup this season,” said Gottstein. “As a team, we hope to return to the playoffs this season with a few more wins. “
Oxford
Coach: Josh Socash, 20 years with program
Top returning starters: Hannah Aker (Sr., OF), McKenna Frank (Jr., SS/1B), Ashley Flynn (So. C/3B)
Top newcomers: Grace Allen, (Fr., SS/C)
General outlook: “The Hornets are looking to compete for an American Division title and qualify for the District 1 playoffs,” said Socash.
Unionville
Top returning starters: Lucy Brucker: (Sr., OF, Tufts University commit) Madison Parisi (So, P/SS)
Top newcomers: Several young players are expected to fill out Unionville’s line-up
Outlook: “We have several seasoned players leading our unified team working to compete in the District Tournament,” said Tymeson.
Villa Maria
Coach: Nikki Hartshorn, 9th year
Top Returning players: Grace Wisler (Jr., P/1B), Ariana Butler; (Jr. P), Natalie Baccalao (Jr., 3B)
Top Newcomers: Ella McHugh,(Fr, OF); Alex Kirkpatrick, (So., P/OF)
General Outlook: “We are focused on building the best team and best program we can, said Harsthorn. “If we build the best team, with the best heart, the wins will follow.”
West Chester East
Coach: Bobby Swier, 8th season
Top returning players: Carey Werley (Sr., SS); Mia Kulp (Sr., 3B) Rebecca Crump (Sr., 2B) Emma Pinto (Sr., C).
Top newcomers: Grace Koberg: (So. OF) Rebecca Opperman (So., P), Haley Greco (So. 2B) Jessie Pinto (So., 2B); Allison Sambuco (So., OF); Olivia Cuneo (So., 2B) Caroline Rudderow So., UT), Daria Cross (Fr. OF) Lauren Maguire (Fr., OF)
Outlook: “The biggest benefit of this team is the experience that many of these players have had last year,” said Swier. “Players like Werley, Kulp, Crump and Pinto all have stepped up and have been doing a great job in leading in their own ways. This is a great group of women that have a lot of potential to be successful this year. We’re looking forward to a great season with this team.”
West Chester Henderson
Coach: Chris Hessler, 7th year
Top returning starters: Emma Adams (Sr., P/1B); Annaleise McCubbin (Jr., P), Gabrielle Nanni (So., SS/OF); Skye Zolomij (Jr., SS/OF); Brynn Pollard (So., 3B); Kayla Czukoski (So. OF).
Top newcomers: Carly Gordon (Jr., 2B) Alyssa Scansaroli (Jr., P); Haily Bentz (Fr., UT)
Outlook: “With most of the team returning and being young, the Warriors are going to continue to build and progress and be a competitive team in the Ches-Mont League,” said Hessler.
West Chester Rustin
Coach: Dennis Becker, 3rd year
Top Returners: Ally Black (Sr., 1B /OF, Millersville University commit) Gina DelGiorno (Sr., OF, Mount St Mary’s), Mairead Hopkins /(Sr., OF, West Chester University) Kelly Fricker (So., SS) Paige Bentley (Jr.,3B), Lainey Lacey (Jr., C), Emily Gillis (So., P )
Top newcomers: Taylor Kuhn (Jr.,2B), Julia Snelling (Jr.,OF/C) Ella Hambleton (Jr.,OF), Olivia Garner (So.,OF/1B), Gianna Lupo (So., 2B), Faith Helms (Sr.,IF)
Outlook: “The Knights are looking to build on a successful 2021 campaign after tying with Kennett as American League Champs,” said Becker. “Rustin is led by its three extraordinary senior captains that lead by example in all facets of the game. With still a relatively young but very talented team, we looking forward to making another push at a league championship and playoff berth.”