Delco Softball Preview: Springfield still the team to beat in Central League

• After cruising to a second consecutive Central League title, a target remains squarely on the backs of Springfield.

Last spring, the Cougars went 19-0 in the regular season before a stunning first-round loss in the District One Class AAAA tournament.

The gap may be closing in the Central League, as other teams continue to improve; however, it will be hard to pick against a proven commodity.

Two years removed from winning Delaware County’s only PIAA championship in softball, the Cougars return All-Delco pitcher Tori DePietro and fellow senior catcher Jenny Caggiano, an experienced and quite effective battery. DePietro is the ace of the team after she split time at pitcher and shortstop her first three years.

Also returning to the lineup are juniors Nikki DePietro (second), Ashley Scarpato (first) and designated player Victoria Ciasullo. Seniors Kaylee Lennon and Hannah Sweeney are back in the outfield.

Todd Odgers is back for his 19th season.

All-Delcos Courtney Scarpato (Hofstra) and Taylor Winkelman (Bloomsburg) are gone, but the Cougars should be in good shape.

Elsewhere in the Central League:

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With All-Delco ace Leigh Ann Jenkins back in the circle, and a lineup that consists of six returning starters, Ridley is gearing up for a run at the title.

Jade Laughlin takes her flashy leather to shortstop and second baseman Alissa Higgins provides solid pop and contact. Heather Bogardus is a steady bat and Jenkins’ batterymate, and fellow senior Mel Malseed provides solid defense in center field.

“When we learn how to play together as a team,” coach Chris Bush said, “we are capable of very big things.”

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Warning to all Central League pitchers: Garnet Valley‘s Sam Tomasetti still has a season left of eligibility. The All-Delco shortstop was named all-

state after batting .623 with a county-high nine homers on a team last year that posted 10 wins, but missed out on the postseason. All-Delco catcher and Lehigh commit Reva Alderman, who hit .519 with six homers, gives the Jags and new coach George White a lethal one-two punch. Junior and second-year starter Allison Ferrante will be the team’s top pitcher.

“The team is excited for a fresh start,” said White, who replaced Mike DiLuzio, now the boss at Ches-Mont League power Avon Grove. “We will be young, but will look to compete.”

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Radnor, a 13-win team that advanced to District One Class AAA semifinal round last year, will lean on seniors Amanda Davis (third base) and Megan McGrath (catcher), who is transitioning from the outfield to catcher. Junior Brooke Nicander returns for her second full season as coach John Schaefer’s No. 1 pitcher. With our returning senior captains and those three juniors, plus some athletic new varsity players … will help us be competitive.”

“We have a nice returning core behind our senior captains Megan McGrath and Amanda Davis, along with Brooke Nicander returning for her second season in the circle,” Schaefer said. “Megan and Amanda will lead the offense, but we have three returning juniors (Nicander, second baseman Sydney Alijan and outfielder Sarah Rosenblum) who provide depth.”

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One team that is on the rise is Penncrest, which has a potent lineup including Olivia Rigby and Victoria Reed, both juniors, and senior Sam Cram. Sophomore pitchers Maya Hartman and Emma Stauffer both gained experience last year on a team that won nine games and qualified for the District One Class AAA tournament.

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Marple Newtown begins life without All-Delco Rylee Power, who was one of the Central’s top shortstops the last three years. The Tigers, who won a District One Class AAA playoff game and finished .500 (11-11) last season, have a veteran group including seniors Sarah Meier, Caitlyn Spencer, Kyra Spencer, Megan MacNeal and Jaclyn Zaccaro  Junior Nicole Atkins and sophomore Ceire Devlin-Mohan will handle the pitching duties, while junior Paige Benasuiti is back behind the plate.

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Upper Darby could be a sleeper. The Royals welcome back All-Delco center fielder Sam Witmer, who hit .516 with five homers and 23 runs last year. Erin Redden is a senior middle infielder who spent the majority of 2015 in the pitcher’s circle, and senior Carli Benozich is an experienced catcher who can hit for contact and power. Christina Tomczuk begins her first season at the helm, after a few years as an assistant for ex-coach Becky Daly.

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Strath Haven coach Linda Armour expects improvement out of a club that got in the win column just once a year ago. Katie Kropac is the lone senior returning to the lineup, and sophomore Malia Calciano will carry the pitching responsibilities.

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At Haverford, Jill Marshall begins her first season. The Fords missed the playoffs a season ago, despite posting a winning record of 12-8.