Score a sneak peek at what to expect from your favorite area teams in the Northeast Times’ softball preview.
Philadelphia Catholic League
Archbishop Ryan
Head coach: Andy Hafele
Last season: 17–5, lost in CL semifinals
Key losses: LF Megan Wolf; CF Heather Forward; SS Alyssa Gospodarek
Key returners: 3B Catherine Hammer; 2B Jenna McGee; P/OF Nikki Michalowski; P/OF Kerri Dadalski
Coach says: “This season should be exciting to watch with the development of the younger players. We want to practice and play hard while improving every day and win a Catholic League championship.”
Little Flower
Head coach: Dan Milio (first season)
Last season: 5–10, lost in CL first round
Key losses: 1B Kelsey McDonough; 2B Ave Bolli; UTIL Francesca Faillace
Key returners: P Lindsey Gibbs; SS Amanda Costello
Coach says: “We have six seniors back, and I honestly think we can surprise a lot of people. We want to compete in every single game, improve in every game and put their best foot forward.”
Catholic Academies League
Nazareth Academy
Head coach: Bob Keating
Last season: 17–4, lost in district semifinals
Key losses: SS Melanie Kalesse
Key returners: RF Molly Scullion; 1B Kate O’Sullivan; P Emily Shellenberger; P Taylor Lichtenhahn; 3B Brittany Colombo; SS Jill Bovitt; C Meg Cox; CF Tamara Jennings
Coach says: “We’ll be going for our seventh straight league championship, and our team is hungry for more. It’s our goal to win a district title, and then some games in the state tournament.”
Philadelphia Public League
Northeast
Head coach: Tom Kane (first season)
Last season: 6–6, lost in PL quarterfinals
Key losses: 3B Jodelis Diaz; 2B Isabella Campanaro; CF Cassy Preslar
Key returners: LF Sarah Barbakoff; P Megan Fekete; SS Francesca Campanaro; 1B Amanda Lindsay
Coach says: “We have a relatively young team, one made up of bright, athletic, hardworking and extremely nice young ladies. I have great confidence in them, and this season will be exciting. I can’t wait for it to begin.”
Lincoln
Head coach: Paul Cammarota
Last season: 9–4, lost in PL quarterfinals
Key losses: P Jessica Figueroa
Key returners: 1B Kaitlyn Kubiak; CF Ayana Tootle
Coach says: “We’ll be regrouping due to various factors, and we hope to gain experience for next year. This season will be challenging, with only two healthy returning starters.”
Frankford
Head coach: Ken Tomczuk
Last season: 11–3, lost in second round of PL playoffs
Key losses: UTIL Tyanna Hudson; 1B Chelsea Taylor
Key returners: C Danielle Coor; LF Janixa Montanez; CF Breanna Montalvo; 1B Jewel Roman; SS Moriah Cedeno; P Tashae Holiday; 3B Brittney Fuller; 2B Brianna Fuller
Coach says: “We expect to clinch a playoff spot in a very competitive league in which all teams have a shot at the division title. Our first goal is to prepare our ladies for college and show them their hard work on the field and in class will pay off. Anything worth having is worth working for.”
Franklin Towne
Head coach: Jen Daley
Last season: 8–4, lost in PL semifinals
Key returners: SS Val Scalici; 2B Deanna Robinson; C Maddie Cepparulo; LF Larissa Smith; RF Lindsay Kane
Coach says: “I have an amazing group of girls. We’ve accomplished so much in my three years here, and we’re hoping to find ourselves back in that championship game this year. We would love to bring a softball trophy to Towne.”
Fels
Head coach: Mike Kauffman
Last season: 3–11
Key losses: 3B Jessica Olivares; P Shana Peralta; 10 more seniors
Key returners: None. Players to watch include 1B/3B Crystal Arteaga; SS Nilsa Rodriguez; P Sudaiyah Guzman; P Roseangel Peralta
Coach says: “We lost 12 seniors, so this year is about building for the future, which for most of these girls will be the next two to three years. We obviously want to be more competitive in our division. So far, I’ve seen a lot of promise and have been overall very encouraged.” ••
Sports Editor Ed Morrone can be reached at 215–354–3035 or [email protected]
