A CONFERENCE
New and younger players will have to fill key positions for John Carroll, which lost seven seniors from last year’s championship squad.
“We have a competitive non-league schedule, so will need to mesh quickly,” coach Sherry Hudson said, noting that the 2024 Patriots recorded a 17-2 record and were ranked first in the metro area by the Baltimore Sun after claiming regular-season and tournament titles last spring.
Senior shortstop Kallissa Coats (Towson University), who hit .433 with 24 RBI,s and four homers will join junior center fielder Savannah Claycomb (Stevenson University,.510, 29 runs, 11 steals) as the Patriots’ top hitters. Senior Ryan Pindell is another proven product patrolling the outfield.
Veteran catcher Juli Aragon (.294 ,Centre College) has the kind of leadership qualities that coaches covet.
Sophomore pitcher Emily Hildt, who also plays first base, is one of those youngsters whose impact will affect the Patriots’ fortunes.
Having its four-year championship reign snapped last season by John Carroll, Archbishop Spalding should be that much more dedicated to raising another conference banner when all things are said and done in May.
Losing a slew of senior starters won’t help. Even so, a bid for the program’s record 14th title will be a priority for coach Delaney Bell, her staff and her players.
To that end, senior Cessi Prince’s work in the circle will be a key to the Cavaliers’ success with help from sophomore Jalayah Jones.
Junior Taylor Codi and sophomore Olivia Rowley will help the pitchers with their glove work in the outfield.
Mercy is beginning to build the foundation of a formidable program, coach Chris Isenock said.
Third baseman and captain Emma Ecton joins shortstop and cleanup hitter Georgia Hanna as two of four seniors tasked with giving the Magic plenty of stability.
Junior first baseman Kendall Fisher (Towson University) bats third and “works harder than any other kid I have ever coached,” Isenock added.
The battery of sophomore southpaw Mikayla Youngbar and freshman catcher Juliet Rollins bodes well for the future and the 2025 campaign.
“We feel like we can compete by bringing in more softball athletes,” Isenock said. “We have made improvements by putting in a permanent batting cage and a home-run fence. And assistant coach Amanda Butz has been terrific. The players are buying into what she’s putting down. Our kids want to compete in the A Conference.”
McDonogh will only have two seniors in an attempt to anchor the roster and better last season’s 7-9 mark.
Junior catcher Bridget Schaeffer and sophomore pitcher/shortstop Meghan Zoller are team leaders, with Schaeffer being a captain and three-year starter.
“Most of our girls can play multiple positions, which gives us some flexibility when it comes to playing the field,” coach John Folfas said. “A key to our success will be how quickly our younger players mature and develop, as they will be playing a major role in our lineup every game.”
Four seniors figure to give Mount de Sales staunch pillars to lean on this season.
Two of them — shortstop Olivia Ross and catcher Olivia Berger — will play key roles for a team that boasts 37 players on varsity and JV.
Junior pitcher Brooke Fuhr will work in the circle after biding her time last season.
“She had a senior in front of her last year,” coach Pete Waskiewicz said. “This year, she’s running the show.”
Freshman third baseman Vanessa Gilman leads a bunch of newcomers, who will be “kept in line” by those seniors, Waskiewicz said. “We should be in every ball game this year.”
B CONFERENCE
St. Paul’s School for Girls developed later, rather than sooner, last spring.
That’s when the Gators snapped a four-game losing streak to win two playoff games before bowing to Maryvale in the championship game.
The effort to match that team’s finishing flourish while getting off to a better start “begins with our younger players,” according to coach Frank Hoey.
Sophomore pitcher Natalie Thompson and freshman sisters Vivienne (C) and Olivia Adams (UT), along with sophomore Charleston Caruso (OF), are among several new players who add quality to the roster, Hoey said, knowing that overcoming the loss of two senior starters from last season will be a critical for the 2025 Gators.
Junior shortstop Langley Benson and sophomore center fielder Charleston Caruso will also be key cogs in the SPSG effort.
“Youth, coupled with upper-class leadership, should contribute to a successful season,” Hoey concluded.
Notre Dame Prep will feature new coach John Waugh and a relatively seasoned junior-laden team to proceed this spring.
Junior shortstop Abby Pitz sets the table for the Blazers from the leadoff spot, with solid hitter behind her, such as senior outfielder Rosie Galasso, sophomore third baseman Luci Whiting, junior first baseman Ryan Owenson, junior second baseman Kiley Hutton and junior Natalie Wagner.
Sophomore right-hander Lea Neff will handle pitching chores for a team that Waugh says “is ready to go.”
He added that he is still tinkering with the lineup for the Blazers, who went unbeaten during the regular season last spring before being bounced from the playoffs by SPSG.
“We don’t talk about it,” Waugh said. “St. Paul’s outplayed us and Frank (Hoey) coached a great game. We’re just going to do our thing this year as best we can.”
St. Timothy’s won’t — and shouldn’t — shrink from attempting to attain its goal of capturing the program’s second championship after last spring’s unprecedented success in the C Confernce.
The quest to win the B Conference all starts with senior pitcher Gabby Gressel (Howard University), who posted three shutouts and gave up only 13 runs all season.
Switch-hitting shortstop Katie Smolka, a team captain and last year’s STT Sportsmanship Award winner, joins
fellow senior Brianna Wells (Howard University) on the left side of the infield.
Senior utility player Portia Castro and junior catcher Ella Bilgera, both of whom recently attended a USA Softball High Performance Program, add to the fun.
Coach Cori Spartana will rely on six returning seniors and a junior transfer to put STT on top.
An 18-athlete roster, Spartana said, will “help develop new talent for upcoming years/program’s longevity. Very diverse group of girls, from all different parts of the USA/world. Humble and optimistic for the 2025 season, looking forward to facing AACS (in the) last conference game of the 2025 season, (the team) we defeated in last year’s championship.”
Although Maryvale is still anticipating the chance to defend its B Conference title when league play opens April 2, the Lions have already claimed an 11-8 win over A Conference member McDonogh.
Sophomore right-hander Ruby Butler didn’t allow an earned run to the Eagles, who nevertheless pressured the Lions’ defense into several fielding miscues.
She was throwing to Michelina Mamana, one of six freshmen on the roster. The rookie catcher will bat in the middle of a potentially powerful lineup capable of overcoming errors leading to unearned runs.
A young battery.will be complemented by junior captain Kaitlyn McNulty at shortstop and senior center fielder Reaghan Strine, giving Maryvale a strong spine.
“Kaitlyn is filling a big home at short,” said Amanda Vogt, who shares coaching duties with Lela Wedell. “And Reaghan locks down everything in the outfield.”
So far, the bats are booming in Brooklandville.
We have a lot of big hitters,” Vogt added. “We tell them to hit and pass the bat. But we take it one game, one inning and one pitch at a time. We want to take little steps and we would like to get back to the championship.”
C CONFERENCE
Our Lady of Mount Carmel enters the upcoming season eager to build on last year’s 5-4 record and early first-round playoff exit, according to coach Leon Badders.
Junior catcher Abby Evans, sophomore shortstop/pitcher Erin Martin and sophomore infielder/outfielder Ava Libercci, will try to elevate the Cougars even higher this spring.
“With key talent emerging from the freshman and sophomore classes, the team has strengthened its roster and is poised to improve its record,” Badders said. “Armed with depth and determination, Mount Carmel aims to make a deep playoff run and establish itself as a serious contender this season.”
Friends will try to surprise some opponents this year.
Lulu Mickle (Skidmore College) who pitches and hits with authority leads a seven-senior contingent this spring.
Junior Hannah Ruley returns to the circle after missing most of last season due to an injury in the conference opener.
“We are using the term ‘cautiously optimistic,’ coach Ken Zalis said. “The team had a super pre-conference (4 games) as we head into conference play.”
Although Maryvale is still anticipating the chance to defend its B Conference title when league play opens April 2, the Lions have already claimed an 11-8 win over A Conference member McDonogh.
Sophomore right-hander Ruby Butler didn’t allow an earned run to the Eagles, who nevertheless pressured the Lions’ defense into several fielding miscues.
She was throwing to Michelina Mamana, one of six freshmen on the roster. The rookie catcher will bat in the middle of a potentially powerful lineup capable of overcoming errors leading to unearned runs.
A young battery.will be complemented by junior captain Kaitlyn McNulty at shortstop and senior center fielder Reaghan Strine, giving Maryvale a strong spine.
“Kaitlyn is filling a big home at short,” said Amanda Vogt, who shares coaching duties with Lela Wedell. “And Reaghan locks down everything in the outfield.”
So far, the bats are booming in Brooklandville.
We have a lot of big hitters,” Vogt added. “We tell them to hit and pass the bat. But we take it one game, one inning and one pitch at a time. We want to take little steps and we would like to get back to the championship.”
Although Maryvale is still anticipating the chance to defend its B Conference title when league play opens April 2, the Lions have already claimed an 11-8 win over A Conference member McDonogh.
Sophomore right-hander Ruby Butler didn’t allow an earned run to the Eagles, who nevertheless pressured the Lions’ defense into several fielding miscues.
She was throwing to Michelina Mamana, one of six freshmen on the roster. The rookie catcher will bat in the middle of a potentially powerful lineup capable of overcoming errors leading to unearned runs.
A young battery.will be complemented by junior captain Kaitlyn McNulty at shortstop and senior center fielder Reaghan Strine, giving Maryvale a strong spine.
“Kaitlyn is filling a big home at short,” said Amanda Vogt, who shares coaching duties with Lela Wedell. “And Reaghan locks down everything in the outfield.”
So far, the bats are booming in Brooklandville.
We have a lot of big hitters,” Vogt added. “We tell them to hit and pass the bat. But we take it one game, one inning and one pitch at a time. We want to take little steps and we would like to get back to the championship.”
