GMC SOFTBALL: Blue Division team-by-team preview

GREATER MIDDLESEX CONFERENCE

BLUE DIVISION

CARDINAL McCARRICK

Coach: Richard Geisheimer, 12th season (93-113)

Last season: 10-8

Returning players: Jackie Riley (Sr., P), Melissa Adams (Sr., 1B), Victoria Zayas (Jr., SS), Kelsey Edwards (Jr., 3B), Samantha Napoli (So., C), Katrina Bilakowski (Jr., OF),

Newcomers: Sarina Rodriguez (So., OF), Amarilis Rodriguez (Fr., 2B), Alyssa Pipitone (Fr., OF), Briannie Hernandez (Fr., OF).

Outlook: The Eagles have one of the conference’s top pitchers in the St. Peter’s-bound Riley, which that alone, should make them a competitor in the Blue Division. McCarrick does however have a number of new players around Riley and their group of returnees, as there may be an adjustment period. Along with Riley, who hit .400 last season, Adams (.354) and Napoli (.321) are among the Eagles’ other key returnees.

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GMC SOFTBALL:Red Division team-by-team preview

METUCHEN

Coach: Melissa Jennings, second season (19-8)

Last season: 19-8

Returning players: Liane Cifrodelli (Sr., SS), Samantha Hoffman (Sr., C), Alexandra Chalker (Sr., OF/1B), Samantha Hong (Sr., 1B), Tina Czochanski (So., 2B), Alanna Benderly (So., 3B), Brooke Bandola (So., CF), Molly O’Connor (So., P).

Newcomers: Samantha Streckfuss (Sr., Inf.), Molly Walters (Fr., OF), Julie Pirro (Fr., OF).

Outlook: Seven starters return from last season’s Metuchen squad that calimed the Blue Division title and made runs to the GMCT semifinals and fell in the Central Group I sectional final. Leading that group of returnees is four-year starter Cifrodelli (.494) and Hoffman (.356), a veteran presence behind the plate. O’Connor, who is coming off a season-ending injury, will be counted on to fill the shoes of ace Nicole Camera, now at Adelphi. Metuchen has several other key players, including Czochanski (.350) and Bandola (.378), both of whom made impacts as freshmen last season. Metuchen, which in the past hasn’t been afraid to schedule up, has also put together a daunting out-of-division schedule against bigger schools which should bode well for them come tournament time.

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GMC SOFTBALL:White Division team-by-team preview

MIDDLESEX

Coach: Meghan O’Donnell, sixth season

Last season: 4-11

Returning players: Michelle Wisniewski (Sr., P/OF), Brielle Murillo (So., SS), Kristie Tachack (So., 1B/P), Alyson Schwarz (Sr., 2B/OF), Ashley Dotey (So., OF), Carly Lorah (Sr., 3B), Irene Mitossiss (Jr., OF), Candace DiNizo (So., C).

Newcomers: Sam Jenkins (So., OF), Natalie Devine (Fr., OF), Lydia Ramerz (Jr., OF).

Outlook: The Blue Jays struggled a year ago, but didn’t lose anyone as they bring everyone back and hope that experience can translate to more wins this season. Wisniewski is the team’s senior leader and one of their top hitters as well. Middlesex will have to build on its team chemistry in order to improve.

GMC SOFTBALL:Gold Division team-by-team preview

MOTHER SETON

Coach: Thomas Moran, 16th season

Last season: 8-10

Returning players: Shannon McCarthy (Sr., 1B), Raeanne Etlinger (Sr., 2B), Alexandra James (Sr., Inf./OF), Danielle Murray (Sr.), Marissa Razzoli (Sr., P), Taylor Morris (Jr., P/Inf.), Ariana Carr (Jr., 3B/OF), Bianca Ortega (So., C), Katie Koenig (So., OF).

Newcomers: Emily Hayes (Fr., SS).

Outlook: Most of the lineup is back with the only significant loss being first baseman Lena Buccigrossi. Razzoli and Morris figure to split the pitching duties for a second straight year while Hayes is expected to jump in at shortstop right away as a freshman. Moran expects the team to be competitive within the division as long as the Setters’ pitching is on.

SPOTSWOOD

Coach: Danielle Matlack, third season (34-13)

Last season: 15-9

Returning players: Samantha Mohr (Sr., C), Emily Baile (Jr., OF), Megan Poulson (Jr., 2B), Alexa Raba (Jr., P), Jeanette Soga (Jr., 3B), Brianne Worden (Jr., OF), Olivia Hellerich (So., 1B), Julie Raba (So., SS), Megan Tully (So., C).

Newcomers: Gabby Pietanza (So., OF), Rachel Intravartola (So., 1B), Hope Krazewski (So., 3B), Krista VanWageninge (Fr., OF).

Outlook: Raba fared nicely last season in her first full season as the team’s ace, as she retuns in the circle as does her batterymate Mohr, also a seasoned veteran. Outside of those two, the Chargers bring back several other pivotal pieces and will also integrate some newcomers as they look to build off a solid 15-win campaign.

Staff writer Mike Becker: mbecker@mycentraljersey.com