Swinging into spring: presenting Main Line high girls’ softball previews

The beginning of spring means warmer weather and the emergence of Main Line high school softball squads have begun their spring season. Here’s a look at how the Main Line high school squads shape up this spring (these are the teams that sent us preview information):

Academy of Notre Dame

Head coach: Carl Ellis, first year.
Last year’s record: 8-8.
Key returnees: Sophomore shortstop/catcher Sophia Marlino, sophomore third baseman/shortstop Marissa Mycek, senior pitcher/second baseman and co-captain Gabrielle Fanucci, senior outfielder and co-captain Maura Bradley.
Others to watch: Sophomore catcher/second baseman Anita Bilotta, sophomore pitcher/first baseman Michele Bilotta.
Outlook: Ellis said defense is the team’s biggest strength, and thinks the Irish’s biggest challenge this season will be to keep the hitting consistent.

Agnes Irwin

Head coaches: Sheila Pauley and Katie Cooper, first year.
Last year’s record: 1-13 overall, 1-11 InterAc.
Key returnees: Senior first baseman/third baseman Kat Pew, senior third baseman/second baseman Carolyn Shipe, senior right fielder Jaakirah Reid, junior catcher Michaela Machiolek, junior left fielder Kathryn Hall, sophomore shortstop Rajaa Wilcox, sophomore first baseman/center fielder Paige Brala.
Others to watch: Freshman pitcher Paige DiLullo, sophomore second baseman/center fielder Lily Zelov.
Strengths: Pauley said, “We have a solid infield with strong leadership and lots of enthusiasm.”
Biggest keys to season: Solid hitting through lineup, staying healthy, progress of younger/inexperienced players.
Biggest challenge: New faces in new positions.

Archbishop Carroll

Head coach: Michael Machalette, first year.
Key returnees: Sophomore pitcher/third baseman/outfielder Rachel White, sophomore shortsop/second baseman Claire Boylan, junior second baseman/shortstop Jessica Redding, senior outfielder/catcher Gina Cuzzo, senior third baseman/outfielder Julia Weimer, senior third baseman/outfielder Brenna Fiore, sophomore catcher/outfielder Casey Maloney, sophomore catcher/outfielder Abby Wick, junior third baseman/first baseman Maddie Sutter, senior pitcher/outfielder Audrey Flemming, junior outfielder Meg Foster, junior outfielder Gabby Koniezka, senior first baseman/outfielder Shannon Loyd.
Others to watch: Junior third baseman/shortstop/outfielder Danielle Marosek, a transfer student.
Outlook: Machalette, who was previously an assistant coached at Springfield Township High School (Montco) for four years, and is the founder of Velocity Softball and Velocity Elite out of Plymouth Meeting, said, “We are a young team who is looking forward to playing in the Catholic League. With our senior leadership and captain Shannon Loyd and Julia Weimer, the team is eager to start playing.”

Baldwin School

Head coach: David Pulli, second year.
Last year’s record: 6-9 overall, 5-7 Inter-Ac, lost in second round of PAISAA tournament.
Key returnees: Senior pitcher and co-captain Samantha O’Keefe; senior shortstop and co-captain Noelle Zimmerman; junior catcher/center fielder Angela Smith; sophomore third baseman Samantha Martin; junior first baseman/center fielder Arianna Hairston; sophomore outfielder Cara Guernsey.
Others to watch: freshman first baseman/catcher Georgia Dahm; freshman second baseman/outfielder Jane McAleese; freshman second baseman/outfielder Julia Kait.
Lost to graduation: second baseman Gabrielle Cicconne, eight fielder Julia Navarro.
Strengths: Pitching, middle-of-lineup hitting, varsity experience and leadership according to Pulli, who said, “Noelle and Samantha O’Keefe are excellent captains, with strong guidance from Angela and Samantha Martin.
Biggest keys to season: Pulli said, “How well we field as a team, [making] minimal errors in the field, [and being] aggressive on the basepaths.”
Biggest challenge: Pulli said, “How well [our] freshman play, and players adjusting to new positions.”

Conestoga

Head coach: Pete Ricci, first year.

Last year’s record: 12-9 overall, 11-5 Central League.

Key returnees: Senior pitcher Callie Wang, senior shortstop Emily Conaway, senior third baseman/pitcher Gi Lorine.

Others to watch: Junior pitcher/outfielder Jillian Kostenbauder, junior outfielder/infielder Caleigh Sturgeon.

Lost to graduation: Outfielder Jenna Wilson, infielder Olivia Youman.

Outlook: Ricci said, “Our greatest strength is senior leadership, there are currently seven seniors on the roster. The biggest keys to our season will be to play a strong defensive game while limiting opponents’ opportunities. Our biggest challenge will be to hit on a consistent basis. Our non-league schedule is tough – we play Avon Grove, Hatboro-Horsham, Daniel Boone and Upper Merion.”

Episcopal Academy

Head coach: Terry Coyne, eighth year.
Last year’s record: 24-4 overall, 11-1 InterAc.
Key returnees: Senior outfielder Nina Pagano, senior outfielder Arianna Pompei, senior infielder Claire Smith, junior outfielder Ariana Feliziani), junior catcher Brooke Royer.
Others to watch: Junior infielder Reilly Wright.
Lost to graduation: Pitcher Alex Viscusi (Princeton), shortstop Taylor Long (Franklin & Marshall), first baseman Kate Ortlieb.
Outlook: Coyne said, “We are a very team-oriented outfit. No one thinks they are a superstar and all give 100 percent every day, practice or game. Our pitching will be the biggest challenge and the biggest key to our success. We have an inexperienced freshman and sophomore pitchers. We are getting better each game.”

Friends’ Central

Head coach: Lisa D’Orazio, first year.
Last year’s record: 9-6 overall, 7-4 FRiends’ Schools League.
Key returnees: Senior shortstop Caroline Fakharzadeh, senior pitcher Carolyn Spellacy, junior second baseman Olivia Bartholomew.
Others to watch: Junior third baseman/first baseman Maddi McDonnell, sophomore catcher Michele Meline, junior third baseman/first baseman Chandra Savage, freshman center fielder Zoe Shoemaker.
Lost to graduation: center fielder Jane Goldstein, catcher Saoirse Hahn, first baseman Caroline Bartholomew.
Outlook: D’Orazio said, “[We are] looking to be a major contender for the Friends’ Schools League title once again this year, particularly under the stellar pitching of fourth-year varsity starter Carolyn Spellacy and strong bats and speed throughout the lineup. The combination of outstanding returning leaders in Fakharzadeh, Spellacy, and Bartholomew with talented newcomers in Meline, Shoemaker, McDonnell, and Savage will prove an exciting one for [us] this year. If our younger players can mesh well with the hardworking nature of our softball program, particularly what our juniors and seniors have exhibited over the past few years, look out for a very strong Phoenix squad this year. I’m very excited to see what this season will have in store!”

Lower Merion

Head coach: Jim LaPera.

Last year’s record: 2-17.

Key returnees: Senior pitcher/first baseman Moira McConnell; senior second baseman/outfielder Lily Millar; senior third baseman Julia Rosenau, junior shortstop Jessie Epstein.

Others to watch: Junior outfielder/infielder Jordyn Schwartz; sophomore outfielder Lindsey Palish; freshman pitcher/second baseman Hannah Charlson; freshman first baseman/outfielder Zoe Kaplan; freshman catcher Emma Rosenau.

Lost to graduation: Outfielder Quinn Harrigan; second baseman Theresa Barna.

Greatest strength: LaPera said, “We have a solid core of returning players, picked up a second pitcher and have depth at key positions. ”

Biggest keys to season: LaPera said, “We have talented group of freshman players this year who will be starting and we will need them to come in and play like seasoned veterans.”

Biggest challenge: LaPera said, “Getting those freshman to play like veterans and to get our returning core players to step it up a notch and have their best season.”

Merion Mercy Academy

Head coach: Al Poplawski, sixth year.
Last year’s record: 11-8 overall, 7-7 AACA.
Key returnees: Senior pitcher Brianna Quinn, senior left fielder Annie Gormley, sophomore center fielder Leah McCray, senior third baseman Allie Lee,
Others to watch: Sophomore shortstop/pitcher Makenna HAllager, junior catcher Allie Stranick.
Lost to graduation: Shortstop Cori Pisauro (Fairleigh Dickenson), catcher/first baseman Emily Devoto, right fielder Julia Brenner.
Outlook: Poplawski said, “We are looking forward to another good year after making it to district playoffs [last year] for the first time in more than 15 years. We will need our younger players to step up and out seniors to continue to improve their games. Pitching will be the key to our success. We have stepped up the level of competition this year and will need to do well against sone tough non-league teams.”

Radnor

Head coach: John Schaefer, second year.
Last year’s record: 13-10 overall, 7-7 Central League, won twice in Districts to reach District 1 semifinals.
Key returnees: Senior catcher Megan McGrath, senior third baseman Amanda Davis, junior pitcher Brooke Nicander.
Others to watch: Junior second baseman Sydney Aljian, junior right fielder Sarah Rosenblum, senior first baseman Lila Howard, senior outfielder Cassie Maz, freshman shortstop Audrey Rosenblum.
Lost to graduation: catcher Holly Pachella (was first team All-Main Line, now playing at West Chester University), shortstop Katie Jordan (was honorable mention All Main Line), center fielder Brooke McClatchy (was leadoff hitter and first team All Main Line).
Strengths: Pitching, infield defense, athleticism.
Biggest keys to season: Schaefer said, “We have a new up-the-middle defense – catcher, shortstop and centerfielder – replacing three strong performers.”
Biggest challenge: “We’re adjusting several players new to the varsity – replacing seven seniors overall,” said Schafer.