GMC Softball Preseason Top 10

PRESEASON TOP 10

1. East Brunswick (23-4): A strong nucleus returns centered behind senior pitcher Lauren Assennata and junior outfielder Samantha Smalley, both All-Area first teamers last year. The Bears have several other key returnees, though they did lose standout centerfielder Gabrielle Kelliher, who holds several school hitting records.

2. Monroe (26-1): Several standouts return in senior shortstop Casey Schieda, senior third baseman Cindy Foresta, senior centerfielder Kendra Barlotta, and senior right fielder Sarah McGrath. The Falcons did lose several key players though to last year’s GMC champion team, notably pitcher Kelly Widener and catcher Marisa Monasseri, both of whom were four- year performers.

3. South Plainfield (18-7): With star third baseman Caroline Ratti back in the fold, solid performers in Holly DeLair and Meghan Hughes around her, and Katherine Vill back in the circle after a solid freshman season, the Tigers are poised for a big season.

GMC Preseason Feature:South Plainfield's Ratti poised for big season

GMC SOFTBALL:Red Division team-by-team preview

4. Piscataway (18-5): A trio of All-Area first team performers return in senior catcher Julia Seader, senior second baseman Michelle Gebhardt, and junior pitcher Sarah Ogilvie. Beyond them though question marks lie as Piscataway will need its complementary pieces to step up.

5. Bishop Ahr (15-10): Senior shortstop Ragen Reddick is one of the league’s most electrifying players, as she’ll ignite a deep Bishop Ahr team that always seemingly has several interchangeable parts, creating good competition and everyone performing at their optimal level.

GMC SOFTBALL:White Division team-by-team preview

6. J.P. Stevens (12-10): The Hawks are another team that’s deep that will have a number of players across the board contribute in key areas. Senior third baseman Amanda Lombardi headlines the lineup while Julie Siecinski and Rebecca DiSerio are among other key contributors.

GMC SOFTBALL:Blue Division team-by-team preview

GMC SOFTBALL:Gold Division team-by-team preview

7. Sayreville (12-10): A solid nucleus is back again for the Bombers, as many of their top performers have been on the varsity level since their freshmen campaigns and are now juniors and seniors. Senior pitcher Erin Fitzsimmons and junior third baseman Christina Misiur are two of the team’s most pivotal players.

8. South Brunswick (11-11): The Vikings are another team with solid performers across the board, as they’ll be led by a pair of four-year seniors, both of whom pitch, in Leann Panconi and Ashley Shor.

9. Old Bridge (12-10): A lot of youth lies on the Knights, who will be led by junior pitcher Miranda Wade and a pair of sophomores in shortstop Meaghan Dowdell and centerfielder Amanda Carney.

10. Metuchen (19-4): Looking to once again make noise out of the Blue Division after a run to the GMCT semifinals last season, the Bulldogs will be carried by senior shortstop Liane Cifrodelli and senior catcher Sami Hoffman. Metuchen will look to Molly O’Connor to replace graduated ace Nicole Camera in the circle.