2022 Mercury Softball Team-By-Team Preview

Boyertown

Coach: Kim Musselman, sixth season.

Last year’s record: 3-7 Pioneer Athletic Conference, 8-8 overall.

Players to watch: Carlee Frantz, Sr., 2B; Avery Frey, Sr., P/1B; Nicole Kratz, Sr., 3B; Alyx Morgan, Sr., OF; Rachael Moser, Sr., C; Victoria Butler, Jr., OF; Katelyn Dulin, Jr., OF; Ella Hurter, So., P/1B.

Outlook: The Bears’ roster is bolstered by the addition of Kyra Neiswender, a freshman shortstop. … Kratz and Moser were All-PAC first team selections in 2021. … “With the returning players and the new players added to the team, I feel that we will compete with and challenge opponents,” Musselman said. “Our pitchers have grown and developed in the off-season. I am optimistic for a successful season and excited with how far we have come in just two weeks. They are developing and growing together.”

Daniel Boone

Coach: Chris Weller, first season.

Last year’s record: 11-1 Berks League, 19-5 overall.

Players to watch: Kristin DiNolfi, Sr., SS; Amber Williams, Sr., C;  Kayley Walls, Jr., IF; Keira Brady, So., P; Julia Maggs, So., P; Regan Stout, So., OF.

Outlook: Weller takes the helm of the Blazer program from Lee Trythall, who had been in charge five years. He was an assistant at Boone for two years and brings an extensive coaching resume to the job: A coach in the Daniel Boone youth programs for the past 14 years, a middle school softball coach for four years and a coach with multiple travel softball programs around the area for the last 10 years. … The Blazers are coming off a 2021 season during which they were the Berks League runner-up and went 3-2 in the District 3-5A playoffs, qualifying for the PIAA 5A tournament. “Main expectation of the season is to compete,” Weller said. “We lost a lot of quality seniors last year, but we have girls this year who are ready and willing to step in and step up. We expect the majority of our games to be close games, but we’re confident in our girls and we’re coming ready to play.”

Hill School

Coach: Jon McKee, first season.

Last year’s record: 2-8 Mid-Atlantic Prep League, 3-10 overall.

Players to watch: Aryanna Bodge, Jr., P; Kelly Dempsey, Jr., 3B; Belle DiCampello, So., C; Ivy Dietrich, So., C/1B; Jaelynn Bucinell, Fr., IF.

Outlook: McKee takes over the team from Becca Shipper, who was head coach the previous two years. He formerly coached at Pottstown and has coached at the club level more than 20 years. … DiCampello was a MAPL first-team selection in 2021. Bodge was accorded Honorable Mention on the 2021 MAPL and MERCURY All-Area teams. … “The coaching staff is very excited about the turnout this season,” McKee said. “The team is very inexperienced and young, but working hard to get better everyday at practice. Our goal is very simple: Get better every day. We look forward to competing against the very talented teams in the MAPL conference.”

Methacton

Coach: Cathy Miller, 41st season.

Last year’s record: 12-4 Pioneer Athletic Conference, 16-5 overall.

Players to watch: Tori Bockrath Sr., SS; Nicole Timko, Sr., RF; Caitlin Woolbert, Sr.. C; Caroline Cherekos, Jr., C/OF; Ashley Fisher, Jr., IF/OF; Megan Lineen, Jr., P/1B; Riley Kairer, Jr., CF; Avery Schwartz, Jr., 2B; Courtney Feese, Soph., P/B; Mady Polonsky, Soph., OF.

Outlook: The Warriors’ roster is bolstered by the presence of two freshman infielders, Jenna Kauffman and Jillian McTamney. … One challenge for Methacton will be finding someone to take over the mound duties from graduated Paige Deal. “Replacing Deal in the circle is a tough task,” Miller said, “but Lineen and Freese should come around and hold their own. Defensively, the middle should be strong. First and third are up for grabs, but the competing players are working hard and showing promise. Offensively, our top three hitters, Kairer, Schwartz and Timko, should lead the way. If things continue to progress, we should be competitive and in the mix for the (PAC) final four once again.”

Norristown

Coach: Jacob Echevarria, first season.

Last year’s record: 0-10 Pioneer Athletic Conference, 1-15 overall.

Players to watch: Katie Morcarsky, Sr., C/OF; Ryan Morse, Jr., P/CF; Isabella Pastella, Jr., SS; Riley Logan, So., 2B; Gianna Pino-Ramsaur, So., P/OF; Alana Echevarria, Fr., INF; Camryn Holmes, Fr., C/OF.

Outlook: Echevarria takes over the post from Anthony Ciarlello, who held it for one year. He was a high-school assistant in 2021 and logged two years as the middle-school program’s head coach. … The Eagles are led by All-PAC second team selection Morse; and Momcarsky, their most consistent hitter in 2021. “Pitching will be much improved with Ryan Morse and Giana Pino-Ramsaur,” Echevarria said. “We should be solid defensively with Isabella Pastella and Riley Logan up the middle of the defense. Freshman Alana Echevarria and Camryn Holmes should give us two freshmen that can compete and excel at a varsity level with their experience playing 18U teams. We expect to be very competitive and surprise a few teams this season.”

Owen J. Roberts

Coach: Steve Winnick, first season.

Last year’s record: 10-6 Pioneer Athletic Conference, 12-7 overall.

Players to watch: Sydnee Campbell, Sr., C/3B; Emmie Feltenberger, Sr., SS; Sarah Gautreau, Sr., CF; Courtney Glass Sr., LF;  Sophia Winnick, Sr., P/1B/OF; Natalie Alldred Jr., P/1B, Olivia Egan, Jr., C/3B/OF; Hayden Streeter Jr., 2B/OF.

Outlook: Winnick takes over the Wildcat program from Stacy Kushner, who headed it the past two years. … “Although graduating eight seniors from last year’s team,” Winnick said, “we should be competitive with a strong group returning and the addition of some quality young players. The entire team plays a high level of softball throughout the year. A number of the seniors are already committed to play at the next level.” … Winnick further noted, “A number of underclassmen will be needed to contribute and add depth to the team.”

Perkiomen School

Coach: Justin Sell, fourth season.

Last year’s record: 7-4 Penn-Jersey Athletic Association.

Players to watch: Anya Crapo, Sr., 1B; Maria Contreras-Atenza, So., SS; Claudia Knowles, So., P; Kenna Tobin, Fr., C.

Outlook: “Being led by Claudia Knowles as our pitcher and Kenna Tobin behind the plate, we should be a solid defensive team,” Sell said. “That was a strength of last year’s team that should continue this season. Hailey Tobin and Anya Crapo will once again keep us steady at the corner infield positions. Newcomers Maria Contreras-Atenza and Sophia Taylor will fill the middle infield spots left empty by two seniors. Emily Lessard and Hannah Schneider will form the core of our outfield, with some new players mixing in to fill the third position. Offensively, I look for our new additions to help boost our offense. I want to play a more aggressive, fast-paced offensive game this year, and I think we have the team to make that happen.”

Perkiomen Valley

Coach: John Pascucci, second season.

Last year’s record: 9-7 PAC, 11-9 overall.

Players to watch: Jennifer Beattie, Sr., Utility; Sam Corey, Sr., CF; Serena Crovetti, Sr., SS; Isabella DiRamondo, Sr., OF; Sam Sciarra, Sr., 3B; Ella Strechay, Sr., 1B; Josie Strechay, Sr., IF.

Outlook: Corey was a first-team selection to the Pioneer Athletic Conference’s 2021 Liberty Division team, and Crovetti a second-team pick. … “Our pitching staff is young and will take on a heavy load,” Pascucci said. “If we can stay in control of all of the basic fundamentals of the game, Perkiomen Valley will be a tough opponent in the PAC & District 1. PV has a strong presence at the plate. As a team, we have spent a lot of time discussing and working on our bat control and awareness of the strike zone. Our program also has three solid pitchers.” … Pascucci’s assessment of a principle area on which his players need to focus: “Staying focused at the plate, and handling the well-polished pitchers in the PAC.”

Phoenixville

Coach: Claire Emplit, fourth season.

Last year’s record: 12-4 PAC, 13-5 overall

Players to watch: Arayana Ashlee, Sr., P; Maddie Buckwalter, Sr., SS; Riley Daher, Sr., 1B; Taylor Daher, Sr., OF; Alaina Woods, Sr., C.

Outlook: The Phantoms’ roster lists a handful of up-and-coming players: Sophomores Gabby Cappelli (3B), Olivia Jacketti (OF) and Lilly Washington (2B) and freshman Willa Narke (OF). … Ashlee was a second-team pitcher on the 2021 Pioneer Athletic Conference’s All-Frontier Division team. … “After graduating several impact players last year,” Emplit said, “this year’s team looks to better last year’s record and post-season run. With several experienced seniors back again, and up and coming underclassmen developing their skills, this year’s team is poised to make a solid run for post-season play.”

Pope John Paul II

Coach: Joe Ottaviano, second season.

Last year’s record: 5-11 PAC & overall.

Players to watch: Kelsey Bryant, Sr., C/1B; Ally Hourigan, Sr., C; Katie Talis, Sr., OF; Molly Houchins, Fr., IF; Abigale Millhouse, Fr., P/SS; Abby Simmers, Fr., P/2B/CF.

Outlook: Bryant was selected to the PAC All-Conference team’s Frontier Division second team her junior year. … “We missed the 4A playoffs by one game,” Ottaviano said, “so we are ready to make the playoffs for the first time in a long time.”

Pottsgrove

Coach: Jessica Bedard, sixth season.

Last year’s record: 8-8 Pioneer Athletic Conference, 8-10 overall.

Players to watch: Mikayla Eckman, So., P/1B; Avery Gleason, So., P/1B; Lizzie McAllister, So., 3B; Bailey Pysher, So., C.

Outlook: “Pottsgrove is a young team with positive energy looking to improve on last year’s record,” Bedard said.

Pottstown

Coach: Jesse Tupper, second season.

Last year’s record: 0-10 PAC, 0-16 overall

Players to watch: Jailyn Hampton, Sr., 1B/OF; Ariana Gilmore, Jr., P/C/CF; Savannah Richards, So., SS.

Outlook: Tupper is in his fifth year as a coach in Pottstown’s softball program. … Richards, who played baseball for a number of seasons, is making her debut as a softball player this spring. … “We’re looking forward to showing off our growth as a team after investing much time in year-long preseason workouts,” Tupper said.

Spring-Ford

Coach: Tim Hughes, 25th season.

Last year’s record: 16-0 Pioneer Athletic Conference, 22-1 overall.

Players to watch: Constantine Fafufnic, Sr., Utility; Karissa Pottieger, Sr., C; Jules Scogna, Sr., P; Ali Wescott, Sr., IF; Lexi Wescott, Sr., OF; Madison Williams, Sr., IF.

Outlook: Scogna and Lexi Wescott earned first-team honors on the 2021 All-State Team. They were among the five Rams accorded all-state status. … “Just hoping to minimize any outside interference, that’s usually what hurts us most,” Hughes said. “If we can keep that at bay, and come up some consistent play, we’d love to be around to play some meaningful games in May and June.”

Upper Merion

Coach: Jim Godby, first season.

Last year’s record: 3-13 Pioneer Athletic Conference & overall.

Players to watch: Vanessa Hutchinson, Sr.; Cady Legerton. Sr.; Marin Destefanio, Jr., 1B; Michelle Maas, Jr.; Reese Doan, Jr.

Outlook: Godby takes over the Viking program from Missy Toto, who served as head coach four years. … Hutchinson, Legerton, Destefanio, Maas and Doan are all returning starters from the 2021 season. … “This year’s team will be extremely young. Our hope is develop this group of talented younger players for the future of the program.”

Upper Perkiomen

Coach: Dean Sullivan, eighth season.

Last year’s record: 12-4 PAC, 13-5 overall

Players to watch: Dani Freer, Sr., SS; Kylene Gooch, Sr., 2B; Lynnsi Joyce. Sr., C/OF; Madalyn Dyer, Jr., P/1B.

Outlook: Freer has committed to continue her academic and athletic careers at the University of Pennsylvania. Gooch is doing the same with Lafayette College. … Gooch and Joyce were both first-team selections on the PAC’s All-Frontier team. … “With Freer, Gooch and Joyce ready to lead the team into this season,” Sullivan said, “all three players play great defense and will be top of the lineup players. Dyer will make her HS debut as a junior after two seasons of injuries. She can be a dominating pitcher and will keep us in games all year.” Sullivan also noted Makenzie Schaffer and sophomores Darby Gasda, Morgan Robinson, Kaylyn Adair, Ashley Forrest, Erin Gray, Elizabeth Proctor and freshman Riley Eden as key contributors this spring. “This season, we should stay very competitive in the PAC,” Sullivan said. “With a lot of young players, we will have some growing pains. Our team looks forward to playing some of the best players and teams in the area. PAC is one of the best leagues around.”