Tom McGurk|Cherry Hill Courier-Post
Mean 15 rankings
1.Clayton (28-2, last year’s final ranking: 1). The Clippers sailed into the penthouse, becoming the first Group 1 school ever to finish No. 1 in South Jersey. Can they do it again? With all nine starters returning and a solid group of freshmen who will add plenty of depth, Clayton is expected to be one of the top squads in the state. However, this time, they won’t be sneaking up on anyone. The Clippers have plenty of deckhands, but it’s the 1-2 punch in the circle that sets the team apart from most. Juniors Meadow Lake and Allyson Koerner shared the pitching work and expect to do the same. Koerner is fully recovered after a fractured collarbone in soccer. Eight players had 24 or more hits last season, including Gianna Muhaw and Cassie White, who shared the team high with 52 apiece. The offense, which averaged 10 runs per game last spring, has the ability to beat opposing pitchers in many different ways, another big strength for the Clippers. A very tough schedule will challenge Clayton, but it will also get the Clippers ready for their state title defense and a return appearance in the final Tournament of Champions in June.
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2.Bordentown (18-2, 5). The Scotties welcome back 10 letter winners from last year’s squad, which won 16 in a row before bowing out of the state tournament to eventual champ Robbinsville in the sectional final. Twin sisters Allison and Erin Hoppe will give teams a different look in the circle as Allison is more of a power pitcher while Erin works more with spin. The juniors are expected to log most of the innings in the circle this season. Senior Brianna Fischer breathes Bordentown softball and shows in her leadership skills. She will likely see time at catcher and shortstop this spring while adding a power bat the middle of the lineup. Senior Angelina Marino will get things started out of the leadoff spot while senior Sophia Peterson anchors the offense at cleanup and handles the hot corner with her dependable glove. Sophom*ore Kaci Benton started in center field last year, but will see time behind the dish thanks to her strong arm. Sophom*ore Lauren Scharko returns in the outfield too. Bordentown’s experience in big games will play huge dividends as the team chases down another opportunity to make a long postseason run.
3.Kingsway (23-2, 3). The Dragons will have a different look this spring, but the team still possesses enough talent to have a championship-looking appearance by season’s end. While South Jersey Player of the Year Sarah Cancila and top pitcher Marina Costello have graduated, the team still boasts a solid nucleus which includes the return of Delaney Patella. After missing all of last season with a knee injury, the senior is looking to make up for lost time. She hasn’t played since her 30-hit season as a freshman. Senior Tori Griffiths will move into the circle and is expected to be the leader of the pitching by committee. One of the multi-sport athletes for the Dragons, Griffiths showed her true grit while playing the hot corner last season. She’ll be throwing to senior Maddy Grubb, a tough-as-nails competitor behind the dish and at the plate. Senior Brianna Sciulli, juniors Shelby Dyer and Ella Stephenson along with freshman Olivia Sciulli will be battling for time in the outfield while sophom*ore Ellie Ward will see time at catcher. A blend of seasoned veterans and young talent will look to uphold Kingsway’s strong tradition.
4.Hammonton (20-2, 3). With the way the Blue Devils can hit the ball, opposing pitchers are likely to feel pretty blue. Hammonton averaged over eight runs and 10 hits per game last season, paving the way for the team to raise the South Jersey Group 3 hardware. Senior Krista Tzaferos and junior Alexa Panagopoylos will look to keep the hit parade going this spring. The duo combined for 59 hits, 28 extra-base hits, 57 RBIs and 11 home runs. Hammonton will have to replace one of the program’s all-time best pitchers in Makenzie Edwards, who is now pitching at West Chester. Senior April Lewandowski will get a shot at most of the work in the circle. She excelled in limited action last season, compiling a 3-0 record over 15 innings. Her batterymate will be junior Ava Livingston, who has become a vocal leader at her new position after being the team’s designated hitter last season. Sophom*ore shortstop Victoria Esau provides a slick fielding skills, but will be counted on to contribute with the bat this spring. Juniors Sophia Vento, Ava Divello, Riley Lancaster will patrol the outfield for Hammonton.
5.Cedar Creek (22-4, 11). Few teams could light up the scoreboard like the Buccos last spring as the team averaged over 10 runs and close to 14 hits per game. Seniors Olivia Catalina and Chasedy Johnson along with junior Chaneyl Johnson return to the lineup after the trio created all kinds of havoc on the bases last season. Catalina ranked second on the club with 41 hits and her quickness helped her produce a team-best 22 stolen bases. Chaneyl Johnson was just as productive on the bases, stealing 19 bags and scoring a team-high 46 runs. Sophom*ore Liz Martin is coming off a strong rookie season as she won nine of her final 10 decisions.
6.Egg Harbor Twp. (19-5, 7). The Eagles are looking to soar to greater heights after they were bounced from the South Jersey Group 4 tournament by Gloucester County Tech in the quarterfinal round. All the ingredients appear to be in place for a winning recipe, starting with two of the top position players in the region with senior outfielder Kayla Dollard and junior shortstop Madison Biddle. Dollard is an offensive juggernaut at the top of the lineup and led the team in hits (35) and stolen bases (28) last season. Biddle is a slick fielding shortstop who isn’t short on production at the plate after posting 34 RBIs and 32 runs scored last season. EHT is set in the circle too with sophom*ore pitcher Madison Dollard, who shined in limited time in the circle as a rookie. Junior Natalia Stewart’s slapping style produced 24 hits last season, leading to 14 stolen bases and 25 runs scored. Senior Riley Martini provides consistency both at and behind the plate while sophom*ores Payton Colbert and Sienna Walterson are expected to take another step up after solid contributions last spring. Freshmen Laura Mack and Sofia Spatocco are two younger players who could carve their way into important roles as the No. 2 pitcher and utility player, respectively.
7.Gloucester Catholic (20-4, 14). After a 1-2 start last season, the Rams closed out the campaign with 19 wins over their final 21 games. Gloucester Catholic has the power to keep the momentum going in the right directions thanks to its battery of Adrianna Green and Cambrie Todd. Green, a junior flamethrower, struck out 214 batters in just over 110 innings. Green can be a difference maker at the plate too where she produced 30 hits with 30 RBIs and 31 runs scored. Todd is one of the top sluggers in the region thanks to a bat that generated five homers and 33 RBIs last spring. Keep an eye on sophom*ore Emily McGinn, who racked up 11 multi-hit games last season.
8.Rancocas Valley (11-9, NR). With eight starters returning, the Red Devils will be a team to be reckoned with this spring. Junior Stephanie Kraska powers the offense after a smashing debut last season when she batted over .500 with 33 hits, including 12 for extra bases. Sophom*ore Olivia Doppler looks to continue her progression in the circle. Armed with a good heater, Doppler has improved her spin pitches and change-up as she looks to take a big step forward this season. She’ll be working with senior catcher Katerra Lutes, who is a strength behind the dish. Junior outfielder Emily Wyzykowski earned a trip up the lineup thanks to her aggressive approach at the plate. When her bat started heating up, she moved to the leadoff spot and never left. She had hits in seven of her final nine games, including five multi-knock contests. Rancocas Valley welcomes back junior shortstop Aubrey Jeffers, who missed all of last season with an injury. With a great range and a cannon for an arm, Jeffers is expected to be a difference maker at the key position.
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9.Haddon Heights (14-6, NR). A new era of Garnets softball is ready to begin, and many around town hopes it resembles an older version. Heights welcomes back Michelle Schlichtig-Hastings as head coach. A two-time all-state pitcher during her playing days with the Garnets, she returned as coach for six years leading the program to a state championship in 2013. She’s back and takes over a young, but extremely talented squad. Senior centerfielder Gianna Iuvara is the speedy table setter for Heights while junior Maddy Clark, who will split time at shortstop and pitcher, is the leader of the team. Clark led the Garnets in hits (29) and RBIs (19) while Iuvara had a team-best 19 runs scored. Heights’ young lineup will contain several freshmen, including Sophia Bordi, who is considered one of the top two-way players in the region.
10.Lenape (14-7, 9). Teams with title aspirations often begin with an ace, those expectations are strengthen even more with two top-notch pitchers like Lenape. Senior Kyra Fischer hurt her shoulder after one game and missed the rest of the season. Head coach Eric Krastek says Fischer never throws two bad pitches in a row and her ability to keep the ball down results in a ton of grounds. Junior Maya Knasiak saw a lot more time last spring than anticipated, but developed into one of the region’s best hurlers. She possesses an arsenal of several plus-pitches, including a swing-and-miss heater. She struck out 152 batters in 100 innings. Lenape finished last season strong with nine wins in its last 11 games, advancing to the South Jersey Group 4 quarterfinal round. Lenape’s offense is powered by senior shortstop Alyssa Binczak, who had a team-high 25 knocks last spring and finished the season with a 12-game hitting streak. An all-Olympic Conference selection, Binczak boasts one of the best gloves around. Junior first baseman Leah Taylor is a player who improves on a daily basis and earned her way into a second-team all-conference selection last season. Junior Taylor Bell provides plenty of versatility while junior Madi Carr is the leader of the squad. Player to watch is sophom*ore Vanessa Meyers, who doesn’t hit anything softly and everything is a line drive.
11. Paul VI (9-8, NR). The Eagles are looking to soar to great heights in the Olympic Conference this season and have a talented roster to accomplish the feat. Sisters Lilly and Lisey St. Jean pump energy into the lineup. Lisey St. Jean is the table setter at the top of the lineup, who accounted for 35 hits, 26 runs scored and 21 stolen bases last spring. Lilly St. Jean along with senior catcher Merry Pavlik provide the punch in the middle of the Paul VI order as the tandem combined for 41 RBIs and 10 homers last season. Senior Mac Champion returns to the circle after missing all of last season with an injury. The right-hander throws hard and has a good compliment of off-speed pitches. Senior Jordan Mader and sophom*ores Maddie Cooley and Ella Flood are looking to take another step forward after solid contributions last spring. Keep an eye on freshman third baseman Morgan Chambers, who is expected to be another big bat in the lineup.
12. Delran (18-4, 12). The Bears advanced to the sectional final last spring, before suffering a one-run loss to Cedar Creek in South Jersey Group 2. Can Delran get back to the title game? The squad certainly possesses the bats to be able to get the job done. Senior catcher Brooke Acker (36 hits, 31 RBIs) leads a potent lineup that includes junior Cheyenne Jackson (32 hits, 30 RBIs) and Aly Reim (38 hits, 28 runs scored and 22 RBIs). Delran will have to replace some key players like hit machine Zee Zee Shreter and pitcher Lindsey Rodzon who have graduated, but the team is expected to be one of the top teams in the Burlington County League.
13.Buena (15-7, NR). Will last year’s experience take Buena to the next level? That’s what coach Pam Pickett, who enters her 35th season, hopes from a young tribe that won 15 games and advanced to the sectional semifinal last spring. Senior Emily D’Ottavio returns to the circle after logging 130 innings last spring. Buena’s lineup has a potent 1-2 punch with seniors Madison Hand and Kendal Bryant. The duo combined for 81 hits, 74 runs scored and 60 RBIs. Seniors Adrianna Cortes and Jessica Perella provide experience in center field and the middle infielder, respectively. A solid group of sophom*ore gives Buena a lot of versatility with Adrianna Capone, Cami Williams, Anna Sheridan, Jadaryle Morales and Julia Sheridan.
14. Cherokee (9-11, NR). After taking some lumps in the Olympic Conference American Division, Cherokee hopes the bruising will turn into muscle this spring. The squad returns a solid lineup which includes juniors Kylee Berg and Emily Lafferty along with senior Madison Donnelly. Junior Sammie Friel was one of the top strikeout pitchers in the conference last season, racking up 113 over 81.2 innings.
15.Delsea (15-9, NR). A perennial power especially when the postseason rolls around, the Crusaders appear ready for another strong season. Senior shortstop Brooke Clark is one of the region’s top sluggers, providing the thump in the Delsea’s lineup while junior Gianna Dougherty emerged as a solid two-way player for the Crusaders last season. Delsea will need contributions from some of its newcomers, but the squad has the ability to keep the tradition going.
Tom McGurk is a regional sports reporter for the Courier-Post, The Daily Journal and Burlington County Times, covering South Jersey sports for over 30 years. If you have a sports story that needs to be told, contact him at (856) 486-2420 or email tmcgurk@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @McGurkSports. Help support local journalism with a digitalsubscription.
