Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Back in the Circle
Familiar faces, top teams make softball season one to watch
When we last had a softball season, way back in 2019, it was arguably the best season in Ches-Mont history. Downingtown West and West Chester East, with Shanahan nipping at their heels, battled in a tight race all year before the Whippets took the National division in a one-game playoff over the Vikings. In the American, Kennett returned to the top of the division standings, thanks in no small part to freshman sensation Genevieve Ebaugh, who led the Blue Demons with both her arm in the circle, and with her bat.
When it came time for the district playoffs, you couldn’t ask for a much better performance from the Ches-Mont teams. In Class 6A, the Whippets brought home the first District title for West since the split, and reached the quarterfinals before falling to Hazelton, the eventual state runner-up. The Vikings shook off the sting of the one-game playoff defeat to capture the class 5A title in a 1-0 nailbiter over Shanahan. West Chester East would reach the state semi-finals before falling to Lampeter-Strasburg. Add in Coatesville, Kennett and Downingtown East, and five Ches-Mont teams qualified for post-season play.
2020 figured to be another banner year, but then came the pandemic. Nonetheless, 2021 is shaping up to be another season of success for Ches-Mont softball.
In the American, Kennett remains the favorite, with Ebaugh returning for her junior year, The Maryland recruit already has a perfect game on the season, striking out 17 hitters in the season opener. With a solid cast around her including seniors Hannah Slicer, Brooke Underwood, and Shannon Harvey, along with newcomers Maddie Sears and Ella Shaub, both sophomores, and Kennett has high expectations for a deep postseason run.
“Definitely bummed we missed out on the 2020 season, but Kennett is looking forward to a strong 2021,” said Kennett coach Lauren Gottstein. “We graduated 6 seniors, but we bring back most of our infield and our starting pitcher. Pitching will be a major strength for the team. In the offseason we focused mostly on hitting to try and have a more versatile lineup.”
Though the Whippets saw a ton of players from the 2019 District 1 championship team graduate, notably starting pitcher Natalie Beebe and Caitlyn Coker, they return a slew of talent. Senior Taylor Posner, a Syracuse recruit and an all-league selection as a sophomore, comes back at third base, along with junior first baseman Morgan DeFrietas, an all-league selection as a freshman.
West also brings back juniors Meghan Sinkus, (OF, 27 R, .337 OBP, 10 SB), Nicole Lioumis, (C, 9 XBH, OPB .385), and have high expectations for newcomers Emma Ahlborn, (Frh, UT) Lizzie Kern (Fr., UT), and Darby Weller, (So., OF).
“We have a lot of players coming back from our District championship roster in 2019, and some key additions in the freshmen class that will contribute right away,” said West coach Joey Germani. “We have big goals this year and look forward to seeing what damage we can do in the post season.”
Germani kicked off the season by reaching a personal milestone, but if not for all the free time courtesy of the pandemic, may not have even noticed. In West’s first game of the season, a Mercy rule win over Sun Valley, Germani eclipsed the 100 win mark for his career.
“If we had beaten Hazleton in states that last game, I would have had no idea it was
100 wins,” said Germani. But during the time off, I did a lot of reading, and came across stories of other coaches getting to 100, 200 and 300. I thought I might be close, and figured it out. It’s a nice number, but it really means way more about the kind of players and teams I’ve had as it does about me.”
While Kennett and West may came into the season as favorites for the division titles, surely arguable, there are certain to be other teams in the Ches-Mont that will have their say, just like every other season.
In the National, West Chester East has already won the first of its two match-ups against West. Crosstown rival Downingtown East is off to a hot start, with just one loss in the league, and one to Wilson from District 3. Henderson has had some big wins, and Avon Grove has gotten hot of late. If the playoffs started today, all those teams would be in.
Over in the American, Rustin, sitting at 5-2, would hold the two-seed in class 5A, ahead of both West Chester East, and Kennett. The Oxford Hornets would also be a playoff team if regular season ended today.
The Ches-Mont is never a cakewalk. Anything can happen, and often does. Buckle up and enjoy the ride. AVON GROVE Coach: Andria Pannell, 3rd year head coach at AG, assistant coach at AG for 5previous seasons Top Returning Starters: Caitlin Long (Jr., C), Lauren O’Neill (Sr, OF), Maddie Grablewski (Sr, P), Bri McKeown (Sr, IF, signed with York College) Newcomers: Payton Hale (Fr, P), Ana DiCampli (So., OF) Outlook: “We have a good mix of experience and young talent, said Pannell. “Our four captains, Maddie, Bri, Lauren and Cait all return to the program with a lot of experience and ready to get work after the lost season.” BISHOP SHANAHAN Coach: Ed Delio, 2nd Year Top returning starters: Megan McAllister, (Sr, P, 2B), Ava Laughlin, (Jr, CF) Kathleen McGeoy, (Jr.OF) Top newcomers: Ashlyn Gunn (So, P, OF), Alexa Bojko (So, SS), Molly Delio, (Jr, C), Megan Smith, (Jr, P, 3B) Outlook: “We are a young, very skilled and cohesive team,” said Delio “We will be competitive in all our games and will grow stronger as we gain more Varsity experience.” COATESVILLE Head Coach Bill Mendenhall (6th season) Returning Varsity Players: Hannah Timperio (Sr. SS), Emily Scott (Sr. C,/OF), Cheyenne Whitehead (Sr., 3B/1B), Tori Clark (Sr. 1B/OF). Newcomers: Megan Gochenauer (Jr. P), Melanie Panik (Jr. 3B), Caitlyn Hinton (Jr. 1B/OF), Megan Kleckner (Sr. OF), Emma Friel (Jr. C/OF), Ashlynn Sherman (So. P), Olivia Springer (So. IF), Caitlin Reynolds (So. OF/P), Outlook: “Coatesville will field a talented, but very
inexperienced team at the varsity level,” said Mendenhall. “With depth in the pitching circle, Coatesville expects to contend in the Ches-Mont and make the district playoffs.” DOWNINGTOWN EAST Head coach: Bill Williamson, 5th year as head coach, 11th year on the coaching staff Top returning players: Nicki Sudall (Jr, C), Lina Romano (Sr, P), Ainsley Robinson (Sr, 2B), Brooke Protesto (Sr, 1B/P, signed with Cabrini) Outlook: “We have lots of line drive hitters throughout the batting order, “said Williamson. “And we’re strong defensively at every position. Add very good pitching and we will be competitive with everybody in the ChesMont.” DOWNINGTOWN WEST Coach: Joey Germani 10th year Top returning starters: Taylor Posner, (Sr, 3B, committed to Syracuse) Morgan DeFreitas, (Jr, 1B), Meghan Sinkus, (Jr,OF) Nicole Lioumis, (Jr, C) Top newcomers: Emma Ahlborn, (Fr, UT) Lizzie Kern, (Fr, UT) Darby Weller, (So, OF) Outlook: “We have big goals this year and look forward to seeing what damage we can do in the post season, “said Germani. “They are very close group of players and fun to coach and I am excited to start the season and make up for last year.” GREAT VALLEY Coach: Rob Montgomery, 1st year Top Returning Players: Chloe Becker (So, SS,), Amy Magee (Jr, P), Kaitlyn Williams-Koester (Sr, 3B), Nandita Kaylan, (Jr, CF), Sydney Baur (Jr, C), Ayla Steinberg, (So, IF) Top Newcomer: Nadia Nemeth (Fr, SS/2B), an outstanding talent who just had emergency surgery a day ago and now lost for season. Outlook: “We entered the season with just 15rostered players and no JV,” said Montogomery. “Even with a small roster, multiple injuries, players missing due to covid tracing, we hope to compete and improve on the 2019, 3-win season. The team is young and only four players return that would have started in the cancelled 2020season.” KENNETT Coach: Lauren Gottstein 5years Top returning starters: Hannah Slicer (Sr, 2B), Brooke Underwood (Sr., SS/C), Genevieve Ebaugh (Jr, P, committed to University of Maryland), Shannon Harvey (Jr., 1B) Top newcomers: Ella Schaub (So, 3B), Madeline Sears (So, SS/RF) Outlook: “We were definitely bummed we missed out on the 2020season, but Kennett is looking forward to a strong 2021,” said Gottstein. “We graduated six seniors, but we bring back most of our infield and our starting pitcher, Genevieve Ebaugh. Pitching will be a major strength for the team. In the offseason we focused mostly on hitting to try and have a more versatile lineup.” OXFORD Coach: Josh Socash, 9yrs varsity coach Top returning starters: Maddie Frank (Sr, P/3b), Hannah Aker (Jr 2b) Top newcomers: McKenna Frank (So, SS), Angela Beadle (So, 1B), Ashley Flynn (Fr, C)9
Outlook: “It’s a young team, with just one senior and two juniors,” said Socash. “The goal is always to compete for the American Division and qualify for District Playoffs.” UNIONVILLE Coach: Leah Tymeson, 3rd year at Unionville Top Returners: Sydney Horan, (Sr, P/1B/CF, committed at Quinnipiac). Jess Heimberger, (Sr, 2B), Lucy Rucker, (Jr, CF/SS), Becca Boorse, (Sr,OF/P) Top Newcomers: Madison Parisi (Fr, SS/P), Catherine Stone (So, OF/C-) General Outlook: “Unionville has solid leadership and a more consistent team than in previous years, which gives the Longhorns a lot of potential, “said Tymeson. “Solid in pitching, hitting and defense, but will need to put it all together to make their mark in the Chesmont.” WEST CHESTER EAST Coach: Bobby Swier (6th season) Top returning players: Amanda Gomez (Sr. CF, Catholic University Commit), Jess Gomez (Sr. P, Emmerson College Commit) Kate Douglass (Sr. OF) Newcomers: Alex Douglass (Sr. 2B/UTL), Allison Hill (Sr. OF/3B), Abbey McCormick (Sr. 1B) Bridget McCormick (Sr. P/2B) Alyssa Conlon (Jr. SS) Emma Pinto (Jr. 2B/UTL) Rebecca Crump (So. C) Mia Kulp (So. 3B/ RF) Carey Werley (So. OF/IF) Outlook: “This 2021Season will be a special one for sure, said Swier. “Due to missing out on entire season, I know our players as well as all spring athletes are excited to get the opportunity to play again. Entering this 2021season, our line-up is all still intact, and we’re senior-heavy. We feel that once this team begins to figure out their own identity, the sky is the limit.” WEST CHESTER HENDERSON Coach: Chris Hessler, 6th year Top Returning Players: Jordyn Melnick, (Sr, 1B, Kutztown commit) Kayla Burleson, (Sr, 2B/P, Wilkes College Commit) Newcomers: Gabrielle Nanni, Brynn Pollard and Emma Jordan, all freshmen who have shown they are athletic and can play multiple positions. Outlook: “After the difficult past year we all have endured, the players are looking forward to getting back on the field and playing the game they enjoy,” said Hessler “With the good mix of experienced and new players we expect we will be competitive in all our contests. Our seniors are looking forward to a great season and the younger players are looking to prove themselves, and to carry on the tradition of success at Henderson.” WEST CHESTER RUSTIN Coach: Dennis Becker, 2nd year Top Returning Players: Mallory Hardwick (Sr., 1B, Arkansas softball commit), Mairead Hopkins (Jr, / CF ) (West Chester softball commit), Ally Black (Jr, LF, Millersville softball Commit), Morgan Becker (Sr, 2B, Lock Haven field hockey commit) Gina DelGiorno (Jr, RF) Top Newcomers: Kelly Fricker (Fr, SS), Paige Bentley (So, 3B), Laney Lacey (So, C), Emily Gillis (Fr, P) Outlook: “With some experienced returning players, many of whom will be playing at the next level, Rustin will have a solid core. The Golden Knights have always been able to hit, and that doesn’t figure to change. Add in some new blood and Rustin should contend in the American.