2024 Mercury High School Softball Team-by-Team Previews
PAC Liberty Division
Boyertown
Coach: Kim Musselman, eighth season
Last season’s record: 18-4 overall, 15-1 PAC, 9-1 PAC Liberty; District 1-6A qualifier
Players to watch: Ella Hurter, Sr., P/1B; Lauren Homa, Sr., IF/C; Kyra Neiswender, Jr., IF/C; Aubrey Gilbert, Jr., OF, Alexis Laboy, Sr., IF.; Lindsay Mathias, So., IF/C
Season outlook: The Bears won 18 of their 22 games a season ago and return seven starters on a team that was on track for a huge postseason until an injury to ace pitcher Ella Hurter derailed things in the district second round vs. Pennridge. The team has talent at all levels, led by returning pitcher Hurter, the 2023 Mercury All-Area Player of the Year, and fellow first team player Kyra Neiswender, along with All-Area second team third baseman Alexis Laboy and outfielder Aubrey Gilbert. “We are hoping our experience leads to a successful season,” Musselman said. “The coaches are looking to capitalize on our players’ willingness to work hard and strive for constant improvement as students, as athletes and as a softball team. This group of athletes will support each other through the challenges that no doubt will come into play during the season as we seek to excel.”
Methacton
Coach: Lee Terry, second season
Last season’s record: 12-8 overall, 10-6 PAC, 5-5 PAC Liberty; District 1-6A qualifier
Players to watch: Jillian McTamney, Jr., SS/3B; Madison Krupiewski, Sr., 2B/C; Sydney Hockenbrock, So., C; Courtney Freese, Sr., P; Mia Pettine, Sr., SS/3B; Madelyn Polonsky, Sr., OF/IF; Jenna Kaufman, Jr., 1B
Season outlook: Methacton is looking to build on a solid first season for head coach Lee Terry, who replaced iconic coach Cathy Miller. The Warriors will need to withstand the graduation of Riley Kairer and Avery Schwartz, who are playing collegiately at UMass and Gwynedd Mercy, respectively. Methacton qualified for districts last season as the No. 17 seed, knocking off Springfield-Delco in the first round before succumbing to eventual district and state champion North Penn. McTamney and Krupiewski are returning PAC first team selections, and Hockenbrock was named to the Second Team as a freshman. “Very athletic roster,” Terry said of his 2024 group. “We will need to play great defense and put up runs combined with consistent pitching to have success.”
Norristown
Coach: Jacob Echevarria, third season
Last season’s record: 6-14 overall, 3-13 PAC, 0-10 PAC Liberty
Players to watch: Riley Logan, Sr., Util.; Gianna Pino-Ramseur, Sr., P/Util; Alana Echevarria, Jr., SS/P; Camryn Holmes, Jr., C.; Isabella Whitley, Sr., 1B; Julianna Patterson, Sr., OF
Season outlook: The Eagles lost a pair of players now playing in college in Ryan Morse (Shippensburg) and Isabella Pastella (Immaculata) but do return six starters, headlined by senior utility specialist and 2023 All-PAC Liberty selection Riley Logan. “We have six returning starters along with one solid freshman in our lineup, which we hope brings some consistency,” Echevarria said. “The key to winning games will come down to developing players that may not have a lot of experience. The overall goal of the team is to just have fun and enjoy time with their friends and develop new relationships.”
Owen J. Roberts
Coach: Steve Winnick, third season
Last season’s record: 14-9 overall, 11-5 PAC, 5-5 PAC Liberty; PAC champions; District 1-6A qualifier
Players to watch: Sophia Cerimele, Sr., 1B/3B; Ashlyn Kunkle, Sr., P; Liza Flavin, Jr., C/3B; Rachel Epps, Jr., SS; Jacqueline Skonieczny, Jr., 2B; Bella Winnick, So., CF; Amelia Atkins, So., P/1B; Grace Przborowski, So., P/OF
Season outlook: The Wildcats won 14 games last season, getting hot late in the season and knocking off Upper Perkiomen in the PAC title game. OJR also qualified for districts as the No. 15 seed, losing in the first round to Central Bucks South. The strong conclusion to last year’s season has this year’s group optimistic for a similar outcome, even with the loss of several key players to graduation, namely All-Area first team players Natalie Alldred (Drexel) and Sophia Grillo (South Carolina). Liza Flavin, PAC first team as a sophomore, is the top returner for a group with many players who held big roles with last year’s PAC winner. “We look to continue to build on the tremendous ending to our 2023 season,” Winnick said. The pitching staff should be stronger. We only have two seniors on the team, but most players are returning with varsity experience. Our program has the same goal this year as in other years: compete for another PAC title and make a run in districts.”
Perkiomen Valley
Coach: Mickey Marsilio, first season
Last season’s record: 9-12 overall, 6-10 PAC, 2-8 PAC Liberty
Players to watch: Bella Reedy, Sr., P/IF; Audrey Powers, Sr., P/OF; Maci Strechay, Jr., P/OF
Season outlook: Mickey Marsilio steps in for John Pascucci as the new leader of the Perkiomen Valley softball program after serving as the program’s JV coach the previous two seasons. Marsilio has two returning all-PAC selections in Bella Reedy (First Team) and Maci Strechay (Second Team). “Perk Valley has a strong pitching staff headed into the 2024 season,” Marsilio said. “I am hoping to send the seniors off with some positive, lasting memories and build a solid foundation for the future of PV softball.”
Spring-Ford’s Jess Fliszar delivers to the plate during a PAC semifinal against Upper Perkiomen on May 15, 2023. (Austin Hertzog – MediaNews Group)
Spring-Ford
Coach: Shawn Corropolese, second season
Last season’s record: 16-4 overall, 14-2 PAC, 9-1 PAC Liberty; District 1-6A qualifier
Players to watch: Caitlin Ashley, Sr., 1B/RF; Riley Gancasz, Sr., SS; Jess Fliszar, Jr., P; Ava Bainbridge, Jr., C;, Ally Burgess, So., 3B; Addie Eross, So., CF.
Season outlook: Head coach Shawn Corropolese is looking to build upon a strong inaugural season after leading the Rams to 16 wins and a No. 5 seed in districts a year after hoisting the PIAA 6A championship. Unfortunately, Spring-Ford lost to No. 12 Plymouth Whitemarsh in the second round, leaving a taste of unfinished business heading into 2024. The Rams lost Morgan Lester and Ellie Jarrell to graduation, but also returned seven starters to a very talented roster, including all-PAC selections Caitlin Ashley and Ava Bainbridge (first Team) and Jess Fliszar, Riley Gancasz and Kayla Naylor (second Team). “Once again we are looking to get to the PAC championship game and make a deep run in the district and state tournaments,” Corropolese said. “The girls have worked hard in the offseason and I have told our seniors all along that we will go as far as they take us.”
PAC Frontier Division
Phoenixville
Coach: Claire Emplit, sixth season
Last season’s record: 2-15 overall, 2-14 PAC, 2-8 PAC Frontier
Players to watch: Gabby Cappelli, Sr., 3B; Olivia Jacketti, Sr., OF; Katie Clark, Fr., P; Cora Perrone, Sr., C; Lilly Washington, Sr., 1B; Natalia Thomas, Sr., 2B.
Season outlook: After graduating 12 seniors two years ago, the Phantoms lost just two players to graduation last season. The program is continuing its rebuild, but a more optimistic forecast lies ahead, with all-PAC Frontier First Team selection Lilly Washington leading the charge. “There is more balance and experience with five seniors who will provide leadership and composure,” Emplit said. “The pitching staff has grown with the additions of a few key freshmen. We are looking forward to increased success this season.”
Pope John Paul II
Coach: Steve Faella, first season
Last season’s record: 7-12 overall, 6-10 PAC, 5-5 PAC Frontier
Players to watch: Molly Houchins, Jr., SS; Abby Simmers, Jr., CF/P; Rylee Derecola, So., OF/P; Lexi DiBricida, So., P; Charlie Hallman, So., C; Abigale Millhouse, Jr., 2B
Season outlook: Steve Faella joins the PJP program as its first-year head coach after previously coaching travel ball with Xtreme Fastpitch and Perkiomen Valley Middle School West. Faella said his goal is to provide a positive, memorable experience for the girls while hoping to pick up some wins along the way. The Golden Panthers missed the postseason in 2023, something the team looks to rectify this year with a junior-laden roster, which includes returners Abby Simmers and Rylee Derecola (All-PAC Frontier first team) and Molly Houchins (second team). “Pope John Paul II looks to take the next step with a junior-heavy team filled with experience,” Faella said. “Led by Abby Simmers, Rylee Derecola and Molly Houchins, the Golden Panthers will look to make a splash in the Frontier Division. Sophomore Lexi DiBricida, in her first year as the primary pitcher in the circle, will look to deliver an end to PJP’s postseason void.”
Pottsgrove pitcher Mikayla Eckman delivers to the plate against Pope John Paul II during a PAC Frontier softball game at Pottsgrove High School on April 24. (Evan Wheaton – MediaNews Group)
Pottsgrove
Coach: Jess Bedard, eighth season
Last season’s record: 10-11 overall, 7-9 PAC, 6-4 PAC Frontier; District 1-5A qualifier
Players to watch: Mikayla Eckman, Sr., 1B/P; Lizzie McAllister, Sr., 3B; Avery Gleason, Sr., 1B/P; Bailey Pysher, Sr., C; Hayden Pysher, Soph., SS., Mackenzie Gray Jr., 2B
Season outlook: The Falcons snuck into the District 1-5A postseason field as the final seed in the bracket in 2023, losing an opening round contest to West Chester Rustin. Avery Gleason (First Team All-Frontier) and Lizzie McAllister, Hayden Pysher and Mikayla Eckman (Second Team) headline the team’s key returning players. Head coach Jess Bedard is looking to build upon the progress made last year while also getting back to the postseason with the hopes of winning some games. “We have a lot of upperclassmen leadership,” she said. “Our team has been playing together for a few years, and we hope this team chemistry can take us further into the postseason than we got in 2023. We are looking to make a statement in the PAC as well as make a run in the district tournament.”
Pottstown
Coach: Beth Yoder, first season
Last season’s record: 1-19 overall, 0-16 PAC, 0-10 PAC Frontier
Players to watch: Savannah Richards, Sr., SS
Season outlook: The Trojans won just one game overall in 2023 and went winless in PAC play, leaving the program to seek a fresh new beginning with first-year head coach Beth Yoder. Yoder will have All-Frontier first team selection Savannah Richards returning to anchor the infield, along with a crop of hungry players looking for something to prove at the dawn of a new season.
Upper Merion
Coach: Jim Godby, third season
Last season’s record: 9-11 overall, 8-8 PAC, 7-3 PAC Frontier
Players to watch: Ava DiDonato, Sr., P; Emma Ricci, Sr., SS/OF; Rebecca Shuler, Sr., OF; Molly Gilliland, Jr., 2B/3B/OF; JoEllen Johnson, Jr., Utility; Devon Maiden, Jr.
Season outlook: The Vikings are hoping to build upon last year’s nine-win season, seven of which came in division play. Upper Merion returns several talented players, including All-Frontier first team picks Rebecca Shuler and Molly Gilliland and Maren Destefano (second team). “This year’s team will be extremely competitive with six returning starters in the lineup led by DiDonato on the mound,” Godby said. “Rebecca Shuler will be a solid leadoff hitter who will be supported by the power of Giilland, DiDonato and newcomer Devon Maiden.”
Upper Perkiomen
Coach: Dean Sullivan, ninth season
Last season’s record: 17-7 overall, 14-2 PAC, 10-0 PAC Frontier; District 1-4A finalist
Players to watch: Elizabeth Proctor, Sr., 3B; Darby Gasda, Sr., 2B; Ashley Forrest, Sr., C/3B; Erin Gray, Sr., P; Ryan Berg, So., CF/P; Kristina Molnar, So., SS; Brooke Sullivan, Fr., OF
Season outlook: Upper Perkiomen looks to make it seven consecutive division titles in the team’s final year in the Frontier Division before being bumped up to the Liberty next year when the enacts its competitive balance formula. The Indians lost in the PAC final to OJR, as well as a 2-1 heartbreaker to Villa Maria in the district championship game. Despite the loss of pitcher Madalyn Dyer (Shippensburg),the team brings back six seniors, with head coach Dean Sullivan counting on the returners’ big game experience to guide the way during another hopefully successful season. All-PAC first teamers Elizabeth Proctor (Jefferson) and Ashley Forrest (Lycoming) plus Erin Gray (Cedar Crest) are committed to play at the next level and will lead the team along with senior 2B Darby Gasda. Gray and Ryan Berg will share pitching duties, while Proctor, Gasda and Kristina Molnar will help comprise a strong infield. Forrest and Maddie Deeble will handle duties behind the plate, and Berg, Deeble, Brooke Sullivan, Morgan Robinson and Genevieve McKeehan will all play big roles in the outfield. “With Madalyn Dyer being the only senior lost to graduation,we are looking to repeat as Frontier champions and play in the PAC playoff,” Sullivan said. “Our team was very disappointed in last year’s district loss and is looking to advance further than we did last season.”
Others
Daniel Boone
Coach: Chris Weller, third season
Last season’s record: 1-17 overall, 0-11 Berks II
Players to watch: Aubrie Detwiler, Sr.; Kaylee Henderson, So.; Lily Gonzalez, So.; Jersey Mazurek-Smith, So.; Olivia Bentz, So.; Reese Ahles, So.; Aliyah Hampton, Fr.; Arianna Hampton, Fr.; Skye Bui, Fr.; Aubrey Garman, Fr.
Season outlook: With a roster featuring just one senior and the rest being underclassmen, this season is all about development for Daniel Boone. “We’re looking to build and allow our younger girls to gain some experience and confidence at the high school level,” Weller said.
Hill School
Coach: Jon McKee, third season
Last season’s record: 9-9 overall, 3-6 MAPL
Players to watch: Belle DiCampello, Sr., C/OF/3B; Sammie Faella, So., P/INF; Ann Cowan, Sr., INF.
Season outlook: With the graduation of Aryanna Bodge, the team’s top pitcher last season, Hill’s roster features a crop of underclassmen who will be competing for innings in the circle. Belle DiCampello brings a versatile skill set to the team, able to play catcher, outfielder and third base, while Sammie Faella and Ann Cowan bring experience to the middle infield, with Faella also likely to try her hand at pitching. “We have a strong core group of underclassmen that will be looked upon to help support the newcomers to the team,” McKee said.
Perkiomen School
Coach: Justin Sell, sixth season
Last season’s record: 10-4 overall, 10-0 Penn-Jersey League
Players to watch: Claudia Knowles, Sr., P; Kenna Tobin, Jr., C;; Emily Lessard, Sr., Util; Ava Darvassy, Sr., 1B; Cam McQuade, Fr., SS
Season outlook: The Panthers went undefeated in league play a season ago, winning their second consecutive Penn-Jersey League championship. The team has eyes on a three-peat as it returns the talented battery of senior pitcher Claudia Knowles and junior catcher Kenna Tobin, the team’s two unquestioned leaders. Perkiomen returns six starters from last year’s title-winning group, with freshman Cam McQuade a name to keep an eye on, a middle-of-the-order bat who head coach Justin Sell is looking at to hold down the shortstop position. “We have an influx of new players that are ready to contribute,” Sell said. “Both our offense and defense should be improved from last year, and I’m looking forward to seeing how our talent plays out on the field.”
