Mercury-Area 2014-2015 team-by-team preview
BOYERTOWN
Head Coach
Brandi Hankins, 3rd season.
Last year’s record
10-8 PAC-10, 10-9 overall. Fell to Kennett in District 1-AAAA opener, 7-3.
Players to watch
Elie Goida, Sr., OF (All-Area 2nd Team); Becky Marburger, Sr., SS: Vicky Schlott, Sr., 3B; Maddie Cotellese, Jr., OF: Sarah Eidle, Jr., 2B; Mandy Kalil, Jr., P; Lauren Waller, Jr., 1B (All-Area Honorable Mention).
Outlook
Boyertown saw a bit of a dip in the PAC-10 standings after graduating five seniors entering last season. Goida and Waller return, both honored to the All-Area team, while Kalil will look to continue to bring stabilization inside the circle. Bears struggled offensively at the beginning of the year but hope that the amount of indoor practice they have had this preseason will prove beneficial in the early going. “We are a very young team this year,’ Hankins said. “Fortunately, most of the returners have been playing together for the past couple of years so we are looking to be pretty strong defensively. With all of the indoor hitting practice we have been having, we are hoping to step up our offensive game and be a competitor within the conference.’
DANIEL BOONE
Head Coach
Traci Huddleson, 3rd season.
Last year’s record
10-0 Berks 1, 22-2 overall. Berks Conference runner-up. Fell in District 3-AAAA second round to eventual champion Cumberland Valley, 3-2.
Players to watch
Alyssa Garner, Sr., Utility; Bekah Slattery, Sr., P (Two-time All-Area Player of the Year); Savannah Toth, Sr., C (All-Area 2nd Team); Brooke Piccarreta, So., OF; Jenna Piccarreta, So., OF; Gabby Willman, So., 1B.
Outlook
Another successful season for Slattery spelled another successful season for Daniel Boone. Slattery compiled a 22-2 record with an area-best 281 strikeouts all while producing a gaudy 0.27 ERA in earning her second straight All-Area Player of the Year award. Her six-pitch arsenal has helped Slattery accumulate 501 strikeouts in two seasons after the graduation of standout pitcher Katie Erb (now at West Chester). … Blazers led Berks I in runs for (157) and runs against (29) as the team finished as Berks Conference runners-up, falling to Brandywine Heights in the conference final. Team must replace starters Nicole Kovach and Megan Piccarreta, both lost to graduation, but return Garner, Toth, Willman and the Piccarreta sisters who were equally instrumental in the team’s success last season. “Our team is working hard, preparing for the opportunities that lie ahead,’ Huddleson said. “Our division will be tough again this season. Wilson, Exeter and Governor Mifflin always come ready to play.’
HILL SCHOOL
Head Coach
Julie deLaurentis, 3rd season.
Last year’s record
3-11 overall. Fell in PAISAA First Round to Shipley, 5-2.
Players to watch
Erin Dempsey, Sr., 3B; Kennedy Gallagher, Sr., 1B; Jamie Hogan, So.; Hannah Gallagher, So.; Kyli McKee, So., P.
Outlook
The Hill graduated All-Area First Teamer Becca Shipper (University of Florida) and will look to build on last season with the return of Dempsey, Kennedy Gallagher and others. Juniors Madi Adamo, Caty McCray and Alex Kats will also look to step into starting roles for the Hill. “With several returning players and a lot of new talent added to our roster, we have the potential to be very competitive this season,’ deLaurentis said. “We should be tough in both our league (MAPL) and non-league games if we can stay healthy and put all the pieces together. I am very excited about the group of girls we have and the coaching staff we have in place.’
METHACTON
Head Coach
Cathy Miller, 34th season.
Last year’s record
14-4 PAC-10, 17-5 overall. PAC-10 champion. Fell in District 1-AAAA second round to William Tennent, 4-1.
Players to watch
Amanda Kulp, Sr., SS (All-Area 1st Team); Rachel Triantafilou, Sr., DP/OF; Danielle Duda, Sr., OF; Paulina Lowery, Jr., 2B (All-Area Honorable Mention); Annalese Olivieri, Jr., Utility; Megan Stauffer, Jr., P (All-Area Honorable Mention); Sydney Thompson, So., 1B.
Outlook
Always the bridesmaid and never the bride. Well, until last season of course. Methacton finally put all the pieces together in the postseason, coming away with its first PAC-10 title since the team’s move to the conference in the 2009 season. Stauffer played well beyond her years in the title game, allowing one earned in a complete-game effort while going 3-for-4 from the plate. She returns to the circle in 2015 along with 2014 starters Kulp, who committed to St. Joseph’s in the offseason, Thompson, Lowery, Olivieri, and Triantafilou. Questions will remain as to whom will fill the vacancies of the departed Julie Primavera (catcher, All-Area Honorable Mention in 2014) and third baseman Sarah Rambo (Molloy College, hit .484 with 23 RBI and three home runs her senior season). “There is intense competition going on at practice as we work to fill the key players that were lost through graduation,’ Miller said. “The kids are excited about the season and are looking forward to making a run for the championship this season.’
OWEN J. ROBERTS
Head Coach
Kevin Kirby, 12th season.
Last year’s record
13-5 PAC-10, 16-7 overall. PAC-10 runner-up. Fell in District 1-AAAA opener to CB South, 10-8.
Players to watch
Sam Garritano, Sr., CF (1st Team All-State, All-Area 1st Team); Kylie Glenn, Sr., P/1B (All-Area Honorable Mention); Sydney Schnarrs, Sr., DP (All-Area 2nd Team): Nikki Testa, Sr., 2B (All-Area 2nd Team); Lauryn Wensel, Sr., C (All-Area Honorable Mention); Alissa Vining, Jr., 1B/P (All-State Honorable Mention, All-Area 1st Team); Camryn Glenn, So., RF/IF.
Outlook
OJR returns a wealth of seniors that brought the team to the cusp of a PAC-10 title a season ago. Garritano will once again anchor the outfield and is on pace to break OJR career records for hits, runs and stolen bases in 2015. Testa returns to second base after hitting .368 with a team-high 28 RBI while Wensel returns behind the plate after throwing out 5 of 8 base stealers last season. Glenn isn’t overpowering on the mound but her ability to throw strikes and get ahead in the count makes her dangerous. She compiled a 2.41 ERA a season ago, which could improve this year. Schnarrs is arguably the best designated player in the league and Vining can produce from the plate (.469 BA in 2014) and from the circle (3-0, 2.86 ERA in 22 IP). “It will be a tough task to replace the left side of our infield, but we have a lot of young kids that are eager for the opportunity,’ Kirby said. “We are hopeful that our experience and senior leadership will make for a smooth transition for the younger kids who will have an opportunity to play this year. Our seniors are motivated and hungry to make their last season a memorable one. To me, the key is always to throw strikes and play defense. If we can do those two things, hopefully we will score enough to put us in position to make a run at the end of the season.’
PERKIOMEN SCHOOL
Head Coach
Melissa Gaiser, 3rd season.
Last year’s record
10-4 overall. Tri-County League champion.
Players to watch
Maddie Glinski, Sr., Utility; Isabella San Miguel, Sr., SS; Meghan MacIntyre, Jr., P; Lena Felix, Fr., C; Juliane Haussmann, Fr., P/OF.
Outlook
Panthers graduated a bevy of players from TCL run last season including Mindi Gallagher (All-Area 2nd Team) and Dorita Devaney. San Miguel will move from second base to shortstop while Felix and Haussman will look to step in and produce during their debut seasons. “We lost a lot of key players and we’re working hard to fill in all of our holes,’ Gaiser said. “It’s going to be a challenging season to defend our championship but I know that with hard work and determination, we have a good chance to continue being TCL champions.’
PERKIOMEN VALLEY
Head Coach
Dan McLaughlin, 7th season.
Last year’s record
14-4 PAC-10, 15-6 overall. PAC-10 Final Four participant. Fell in District 1-AAAA opener to Hatboro-Horsham, 16-12.
Players to watch
Brenna Sermarini, Sr., OF (All-Area 1st Team); Ana Bruni, Jr., SS; (All-Area 1st Team 2014); Rachel Helverson, Jr., 2B/P (All-Area Honorable Mention); Noelle McCullough, Jr., C (All-Area Honorable Mention); Kelsey Impink, Jr., 3B (All-Area 2nd Team); Emily Oltman, Jr., P (All-Area 1st Team); Haley Streeper, Jr., 1B (All-Area Honorable Mention).
Outlook
Who knows how far Perkiomen Valley could have gone in the District 1-AAAA playoffs last year if it wasn’t for the fluky game against Hatboro-Horsham. Oltman gave up a season high in runs, rain came pouring down for three minutes in the middle innings before the wind turned the plate into a dust bowl. This year, the Vikings can prove just how good they are. Oltman returns as the solidified ace, compiling an ERA of 2.13 while striking out 127 in 102 1/3 innings while the team returns all starters but one (left fielder Nicole Bangert gone to graduation). Ana Bruni, who hit .488 in limited action last season, is healthy this time around, while Impink (.441) and McCullough (.479) are big bats that will threaten opposing pitchers. Sermarini (captain) and Abby Wild will be key players in the Viking outfield as the team looks for its first PAC-10 title since 2012. “We have a very deep and talented team this year,’ McLaughlin said. “Our girls have been working hard in the preseason. If we continue to work hard on fundamentals and play together as a team, then we should be very competitive this season.’
PHOENIXVILLE
Head Coach
Jennie Anderson, 2nd season.
Last year’s record
4-14 PAC-10, 4-16 overall.
Players to watch
Taylor Crown, Sr., IF; Jennifer Rennard, Sr., P/IF; Olivia Teter, Sr., P; Julia Teter, Sr., OF; Kelly Knapp Jr., Utility (All-Area 2nd Team); Lainey Michaud, Jr., IF.
Outlook
Phoenixville took a dip in the standings in Anderson’s first season at her alma mater. This season looks to be a time for improvement with the return of Knapp and Michaud finally healthy. Team must replace Nicole Lemon, Courtney Panepinto and Mirissa Defelice, all lost to graduation. “This year we are looking to build on last year’s season,’ Anderson said. “We have a nice group of players who are willing to work hard and do whatever it takes to try and succeed both on and off the field. We have to correct and learn from the mistakes we made last year and be competitive in each game, both in and out of the conference.’
POPE JOHN PAUL II
Head Coach
Amanda Knight, 1st season.
Last year’s record
3-15 PAC-10, 3-15 overall.
Players to watch
Paige Horgan, Sr., 1B/C; Amanda Butera, So., SS (All-Area Honorable Mention); Jessica Scoeffling, So., Utility; Alyssa Schwab, So., 3B; Ashley Remington, Fr., P; Alexandra Szpindor, Fr., P.
Outlook
Youth and varsity inexperience will be a test for first year coach Amanda Knight as the Golden Panthers search for their first PAC-10 winning record. After starting the season 0-12 last year, PJP won three of its next six PAC-10 games to close out the season 3-15 for the second-straight year. Team lost Erin Schwab to graduation. “We are hoping to improve our overall record in the PAC-10,’ Knight said. “We have a lot of young players this year (and) they will be key to our success as a team.’
POTTSGROVE
Head Coach
Julie Davis, 2nd season.
Last year’s record
10-8 PAC-10, 12-8 overall. Advanced to second round of District 1-AAA playoffs before falling to Radnor, 2-0.
Players to watch
Sydney Schollenberger, Sr., Utility; Gabi Ermish, Jr., P (All-State 3rd Team, All-Area 2nd Team); Jenna Trythall, Jr., C/P: Rachael Cherubini, So., Utility; Cori Dickinson, Sr., IF (All-Area Honorable Mention); Shauna Maggio, So., Utility; Jenna Yerger, So., OF.
Outlook
The Falcons showed improvement in Davis’ first season at the helm while Ermish proved to be one of the elite pitchers in the PAC-10, garnering a position on the All-State Third Team. Falcons were Final Four contenders last season before losses late in the season but could be a dark horse pick to be in the playoffs at season’s end. Team graduated Kacy Carroll (All-Area 2nd Team) but return a bevy of starters including Trythall, Cherubini, Dickinson and Maggio. “Pottsgrove is in a very similar position as it was last year,’ Davis said. “The team has the majority of its starters returning freshman and upperclassmen vying for starting positions. The team overall should be improved in all facets of the game and are working hard to get ready for their tough league opponents.’
POTTSTOWN
Head Coach
Dot McCrone, 3rd season.
Last year’s record
0-18 PAC-10, 1-19 overall.
Players to watch
Brianna Gribble, Sr., 3B/2B; Miranda Swinehart, Sr., P; Lexi Volinskie, Sr., 1B; Gianna Epps, Fr., C; Trinity Miller, Fr., SS.
Outlook
Swinehart returns to the circle as Pottstown will look to snap a lengthy PAC-10 losing streak. Epps and Miller will look to provide a boost for the Trojans that came away with a win a season ago. … “We are looking forward to this season,’ McCrone said. “We have a mix of seniors who have worked very hard and upcoming freshmen who have travel experience. The girls have great attitudes and are improving each day.’
SPRING-FORD
Head Coach
Tim Hughes, 19th season.
Last year’s record
16-2 PAC-10, 20-5 overall. PAC-10 Final Four participant. Finished fourth in District 1-AAAA playoffs before falling to Parkland in opening round of PIAA-AAAA playoffs.
Players to watch
Rebecca Faust, Sr., IF; Kylee Harris, Sr., OF (All-Area First Team); Jenna Lee, Sr., P; Amber Sergas, Sr., P; Megan Kern, So., C (All-Area First Team); Morgan Maziarz, So., IF; Maggie McConney, So., IF (All-Area Honorable Mention).
Outlook
Team graduated Cassie Alexy (now at Salem International), Jess Nattle (All-Area Honorable Mention) and Gabby Tareila (All-Area Honorable Mention, now at Kutztown) and will look to Maziarz, McConney, Faust and Kern to build on stellar performances last season. Kern was a force her freshman season, becoming the team’s power bat in the lineup. Lee and Sergas (verbal commit to Elizabethtown) worked well as a 1-2 punch in the circle and will look to continue being a steady presence as the Rams gun for their third PAC-10 title in six seasons. “We are very green at many positions,’ Hughes said. “(It) may take a while before the team gels but we definitely have room for improvement. The chemistry is very good with these girls and I believe their hard work will have them get to their potential within a short amount of time.’
UPPER PERKIOMEN
Head Coach
Walter Schmidt, 3rd season.
Last year’s record
6-12 PAC-10, 8-12 overall.
Players to watch
Chloe Clemente, Jr., IF; Laura Frank, Jr., OF; Lynsey Quinn, Jr., P (All-Area Honorable Mention); Kourtne Buck, So., IF: Sarah Heidler, So., IF: Olivia Young, So., OF.
Outlook
The Tribe loses six starters to graduation, Meagan Quinn, Heather Smith, Gracia Curley, Devon Rowles, Casey Umstead and Mackenzie Lederer and will be dependent on the leadership of Clemente, Frank and Quinn, all which started a season prior. Schmidt also believes freshmen Karlee Fretz (catcher), Alyssa Sullivan (pitcher/infield) and Taylor Lindsay (pitcher/outfield) will step in their debut seasons and contribute. “The outlook for the season and conference successes will be dependent on the maturation of a very young, yet talented group of softball players,’ Schmidt said.
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Compiled by Sam Stewart, sstewart@pottsmerc.com
