SPRING IN THE AIR
Preview of the upcoming CVC softball season »
Following a one-year absence, Colonial Valley Conference softball is back.
While many of the players’ names are unfamiliar because they weren’t on varsity rosters the last times their teams played, little has changed in terms of the balance of power in the CVC.
With an outstanding freshmen class, Notre Dame goes into the season as probably the team to beat. Meanwhile, defending Group IV state champion Hightstown, Steinert and Robbinsville remain very high up on the CVC pecking order.
ALLENTOWN
Coach: Rich Dawson.
2019: (12-8), No. 30 ranking in the area.
Roster: Noelle Anthony (Jr., OF/1B); Sofia Belardino (Fr., IF); Sara Butera (So., 1B/OF); Larissa Cooper (So., C/1B); Ashley Elefante (So., OF) Nicole Infante (Fr., OF); Skylar LaFisca (Jr., P); Stella Logan (Fr., SS/C); Emily Lohkamp (Jr., C/IF); Kyleigh Mihalik (Fr., IF); Holly Muni (Fr., C); Andie Murray (Jr., C/ IF); Kaylee Mushinski (Jr., P/1B); Carly Noble (Jr., P); Olivia Sacco (Jr., OF) Emily Zuppa (Jr., IF). Strengths: The Redbirds have some promising young talent, including Logan. The freshman will inherit the shortstop duties from Alyssa Notorianna, who is now at St. Joe’s. Sacco is another player to watch.
Outlook: This is a traditionally strong program and the Redbirds should continue their winning ways.
EWING
Coach: Dan Bernoski.
2019: (15-12), No. 26 ranking in the area.
Roster: Taylor Greener(Sr., OF/2B); Caleigh Otto (Sr., 3B/1B); Briana Jones (Sr., C); Kaitlyn O’Connell (Sr., 2B); Shye Giles (Sr., OF); Sierra Reid (Jr., OF); Kyla Vaughn (Jr., P/SS); Julia Smith (So., P/SS); Mia Siminitus (So., P/1B/2B); Natalie Santiago (So., OF/C); Ameerah McMullen (Fr., C); Courtney Wentzel (Fr., C/P); Valeria Velez (Fr., OF). Strengths: There’s some varsity experience in this lineup and as always the Blue Devils should score their share of runs with Greener, Siminitus, Smith, McConnell and Jones hitting high in the order. The team’s new pitchers, Vaughn and Smith, throw strikes and will keep the team in most games. Outlook: Beating the top teams will be difficult, but the Blue Devils should end up on the plus side of .500.
HAMILTON
Coach: Lindsey Diamond.
2019: (5-17).
Roster: Cassidy Palylok (Sr., P/3B/1B); Elizabeth Kelly (Sr., C/3B); Ashley Schoener (Sr., OF); Cierra Acevedo (Jr., CF); Isabella Bartlett (Jr., 1Bt/3B/OF); Martina Fedor (Jr., 3B/SS/C); Yeimmyli Toucent (So., OF/2B); Arianna Acevedo (So., 2B/OF); Andrea Alverez (So., OF); Melodie Arzayus-Rigelon (Fr., OF/ IF); Angelina Comerford (Fr., 3B/1B); Allyson Fonollosa (Fr., P/1B/3B/OF); Rachel Diaz (Fr., OF). Strengths: Hamilton has returned a sizable chunk of its starting roster from 2019 and that experience should pay off. Palylok handled much of the pitching and can do well with defensive support. The team does have offensive potential.
Outlook: The Hornets have suffered through a long string of losing seasons. Getting to .500 will be a challenge, but they should be able to increase their recent win totals.
HIGHTSTOWN
Coach: Pete Lestician.
2019: (26-5), CVC division champion, Group IV state champion, No. 1 ranking in the area.
Roster: Jackie Masone (Sr., SS); Katie Scheid (Sr., P); Izzy Hulme (Sr., 2B); Gina Zappola (Sr., 3B/OF/P); Katie Brophy (Sr., OF); Abby Bell (Jr., C); Sydney Busa (Jr., 3B/OF); Izzy Benitez (Jr. P/SS); Marissa Caniano (Jr., OF); Alex Desiderio (Jr., OF); Brooke Leaver (So., C); Amelia Stevens (So.. 2B/OF); Jordan Rosuluk (So., C/OF); Angelina Benitez (Fr., OF); Julia Luczak (Fr., OF/C).
Strengths: There are a lot of them on a team that has returned virtually every starter from a club that won the 2019 Group IV state title. An excellent shortstop, Masone is a returning all-CVC first team player who hit .444 with 44 hits, 11 doubles and five home runs. Hulme, Busa and Bell also received all-CVC honors. This is a strong offensive team and has several pitching options. The defense is also very solid.
Outlook: Replacing the area’s Player of the Year in pitcher Allie Bridgman will not be easy. Still, Hightstown has plenty of talent and a group of players who know how to get the job done. It all adds up to another big year for Hightstown.
HOPEWELL VALLEY
Coach: Gary Nucera.
2019: (7-18).
Roster: Katie Kent (Sr., 1B/3B); Sarah Yancey (Jr., SS); Mea Allex (Jr., CF); Sofia Zangrilli (Jr., SS); Samantha Shaw (Jr., P/3B); Caitlin Flannery (Jr., IF/OF); Izabelle Cornish-DiDonato (Fr., C); Shelby Rossi (Fr., 2B/OF); Lydia Hemmer (Fr., OF); Kaitlyn Wells (Fr., OF); Jenna Powers (Fr., 3B/1B/P); Naomi Dede (So., OF); Danielle Bowman (So., C); Delaney Mutschler (So., OF); Makayla Scherbekow — (So., U); Vanessa Harris (So., OF); Christina Zelin (So., OF).
Strengths: A big plus is the Bulldogs have an influx of freshmen and sophomore talent that has allowed them to increase their depth. There are some girls who can play in this group and they will only get better.
Outlook: Things are the upswing for a program that once was one of the best in the county. It will take time to put everything back together, but look for it to make a run at finishing .500.
LAWRENCE
Coach: Dana Williams.
2019: (6-17).
Roster: Kaitlin Mulry (Fr., 2B/OF); Alex Murphy (Fr., 2B/OF) Anne Cino (Fr.. 3B/OF); Katie Ciuffreda (Jr., SS); Sienna Cruz (So., SS/OF); Abby Duncan (So., 1B/OF); Emily Chu (So/, P/OF); Camille Jones (Fr., C/OF) Paige Lamson (Jr., 2B); Allison McGuire (Jr., C); Emma Quattrochi (So., C, CF); Kaitlyn Sanjek (Jr., 3B/P); Jamie Seidman (Sr..1B); Paige VanHise (Fr., P).
Strengths: This is another team that has welcomed in some young talent, including a freshman pitcher. Outlook: Hitting quality opposition will be a challenge, but the potential is there. The Cardinals appear headed in the right direction.
NOTRE DAME
Coach: Marty Schafer.
2019: (19-7), No. 13 ranking in the area.
Roster: Jordan Wacker (Sr., 1B); Emily Rheinstein (Sr., C); Sarah Dunn (Sr., CF); Ashley Giampolo (Sr., SS); Audrey Ihfeld (Sr., P) Crista Andrusicwicz (Jr., P/IF); Victoria Delate (Jr., C/U); Bella Antosowicz (So., IF/OF) Morgan Crane (So., OF); Rylee Michalak (Fr., P); Helen Woloshyn (Fr., 2B); Cara Mazzuco (Fr., OF) Ella McColgan (Fr., OF); Alayna Giampolo (Fr., 3B).
Strengths: There are a lot of them. Among the returnees, Ashley Giampolo is one of the top players in the league, Rheinstein (headed to Stony Brook University) is an excellent defensive catcher with a gun for an arm, Whacker (five homers) hits for power and Dunn (Ursinus) is a quality outfielder. The rookie class is loaded. According to Schafer, Michalak throws in the 64 mph range and is the “real deal.” The team is loaded with speed and is going to steal a ton of bases.
Outlook: The Irish are going to be difficult to beat on both the local and statewide level.
NOTTINGHAM
Coach: Danielle Wilson.
2019: (10-11), No. 28 ranking in the area.
Roster: Alyssa Angelucci (Sr., OF); Erin DeWispelaere (Sr., IF/OF); Rebecca Bocock (Sr., P/IF) Tara Szczepanski (Sr., P/IF); Alexus Scourtas (Sr., IF); Krisha Bolon (Sr., IF/OF); Emily Hubbard (Sr., OF); Alexis Heineman (Jr., OF/C); Shadae Callum (Jr.); Sahara George (Jr., IF./OF); Jalina Vargas (Jr., OF); Ava Estrada (So., IF); Sabrina Capuano (So., OF); Karina McLean-Lagares (So., OF); Emma Rosina (So., IF) Kara Weaver (Fr., P/C/OF); Rebecca Wiltsey (Fr., OF).
Strengths: The Northstars enter the season with established pitching after Szczepanski and Bocock both got a lot of time n the circle as sophomores. Scourtas anchors the infield at shortstop and is headed to Penn State. There are some promising newcomers.
Outlook: Nottingham is team to watch. Finishing with a winning record should not be a problem.
PRINCETON
Coach: Marissa Soprano.
2019: (1-18).
Roster: Adi Cruz Perez (Sr., 3B); Toniyah Harris (Sr., 3B/OF); Hailey Hawes (Sr., OF); Hannah Krauss (Sr., 1B/OF); Kylee Tucholski (Sr., P/IF); Janiyah Williams (Sr., IB; Amy Xu (Sr., OF); Molly Brown (Jr., P/OF); Livia Goldenstern (Jr, OF); Bella Kwok (Jr., P/IF); Layla Mobin-Uddin (Jr., OF); Stephanie Moon—(Jr., 1B); Michelle Santos (Jr., 2B/OF); Jadie Tome (Jr., C); Monica Watson (Jr., OF); Avery Watts (Jr., OF); Clare Johnson (So., OF); Anika Simons (So., 2B/ OF); Maddie Castillo (Fr., 2B); Ellie van der Schaar (Fr., SS).
Strengths: The Tigers have good numbers and there appears to be an uptick on their talent level. Outlook: Princeton appears improved with competition going on for the starting spots in the lineup.
ROBBINSVILLE
Coach: Lisa Rich.
2019: (23-5), No. 7 ranking in the area.
Strengths: Robbinsville was unable to provide the names of its players because as of earlier in the week it was still deciding which girls will be on varsity and which ones will be on JV. You can be sure, however, the team is not hurting for talent and the word is it also has a freshman pitcher with potential.
Outlook: Expect the Ravens to remain one of the elite teams in the area.
STEINERT
Coach: Jenn Melker.
2019: (26-3), CVC Division champion, Mercer County Tournament champion, Central Jersey Group III sectional finalist, No. 2 ranked team in the area. Roster: Gianna Casale (Sr., OF); Julia Hannawacker (Sr., IF); Annabella Truelove (Sr., OF/1B); Hailey Nardone (Sr., C/3B); Kelsey Smith (Sr., IF/OF); Johnna Filliponi (Sr., P/1B); Avery Kontura (Jr., IF); Jayci Conover (Jr., 1F/OF); Paige Schultz (So., P/1B); Ceara O’Neal (So., IF); Isabella Bonacci (So., 1B/P/3B); Abigail (Mazur (So., P/C/IF); Makenna Spak (So., IF/OF); Amber DeWitt (Fr/, OF/IF). Strengths: Despite the year off, many of these girls have already seen plenty of playing time on the varsity level. The owner of tremendous power, Truelove was all-CVC after hitting .444 and crushing a league high 12 home runs. There’s other power in the lineup as well. As usual, the Spartans have good depth in the pitching department. Heading into the year, Filliponi and Bonnaci look like the top two.
Outlook: Assuming Steinert gets its usual strong pitching, it will remain one of the heavyweight teams in the entire area. It will certainly be one of the best hitting teams around.
TRENTON
Coach: Ryan McAmy.
2019: (2-18).
Roster: Trichelle Andino (Sr.), Evenly Vasquez (Jr.), Kaylie Jaquez (Jr.), Yana Folkes (Jr.), Kenya Evans (Jr.); Brooklyn Turner (Sr.), Jahliyah Lewis (Sr.), Treona Andino (Sr.), Judea Bethea (Sr.), Nikiyah Blackshear (Sr.), Gerezim Garcia (Sr.).
Strengths: The Andino twins provide good leadership with Trechelle most likely playing shortstop and Treona handling the catching duties. Blackshear is a solid outfielder who will hit in one of the power spots. Lewis also has some power. The team has pitching depth with Vasquez, Bethea and Garcia are all competing for time in the circle. Outlook: Armed with their usual upbeat attitude, the Tornadoes will improve as the season goes along.
WEST WINDSOR NORTH
Coach: Shannon Campbell.
2019: (7-16), No. 35 ranking in the area.
Roster: Ashika Azhagumutha (So., OF); Diksha Batra (Jr., OF); Smitha Hamsala (Jr., OF/C); Lakshmi Higley l(So., OF/2B); Jennifer Kanter (So., 2B/OF); Kayla Krausse (Jr., P/1B); Izzy Krausse (Fr., P/1B); Isa Martinez (Fr., P/SS/3B); Palak Mehta (Sr., C/2B); Prapti Pant (Fr., OF); Sami Pelosi (Fr., 2B/SS); Olivia Silvester (Fr., OF); Mahika Surve (Sr., OF); Vaishnavi Vednere (Jr., IF); Pavani Vikram (Jr., OF). Strengths: The Knights only have 14 or so players in the program, but the very good news is they have a strong freshmen class. The pitching is in good shape with Kayla Krausse as the No. 1 and Martinez as a backup. Promising freshmen include Izzy Krause, who is one of the top hitters along with Pelosi, Palak and Martinez.
Outlook: West Windsor North is young, but the future looks bright with talented newcomers in the lineup.
WEST WINDSOR SOUTH
Coach: Mark Lee.
2019: (11-12), No. 27 ranking in the area.
Roster: Meg Hanson (Sr., C/IF); Priyanka Kaul (Sr., IF); Jaqueline Rima (Sr., OF); Olivia Bernheisel (Sr., IF/OF); Allie Rome (Sr., IF/OF/P); Kaylyn Lee (Sr., OF); Brianna Lee (Sr., IF/OF); Marissa Whitney (Jr. OF/P); Madison Young (So., P/IF); Ruby Madia (So., C/IF); Tavisi Ganguly (So. OF); Hiir Bhatt (Fr., OF); Katrina Vacchi (Fr., C/IF/OF); Ava Mayer (Fr., IF/C); Julia Dorfman (Fr., IF/OF).
Strengths: Whitney showed promise as a freshman pitcher two years ago. The team has some other experienced players as well such as Kaul (five home runs) and Rome. The freshmen class looks capable of helping.
Outlook: If things fall in place, South could finish in the .500 range.