Area high school softball preview

Posted: April 5th 2024

Seniors Lily Vogel and Gabby Cruz are the leaders of a Middle Township softball team that hopes to challenge for a conference title.

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

Thanks to Mother Nature’s relentless wave of foul weather, none of the area high school softball teams has played a regular-season game to date, even though the season could have begun as early as April 1.

The teams will try again early next week, assuming field conditions have improved enough.

The following is a look at each of the area’s high school softball teams:

CAPE MAY TECH

Cape May Tech brings back a good number of players from last year’s team, creating hope that the program can improve upon a six-win finish in 2023.

The Lady Hawks are led by seniors Johanna Longstreet (P/INF) and Kayleigh Rhodes (SS) and junior Amanda Daino (OF), the team’s tri-captains. Last season, Longstreet struck out 187 batters as the team’s primary pitcher, while Rhodes (.429) and Daino (.377) were the team’s top hitters.

Other returnees include senior Carli Payne (OF), juniors Marley Wetzel (OF) and Brianna McNair (OF) and sophomores Audrey Simmerman (INF), Sheyla Bautista (OF), Marisa Daniels (1B) and Jordyn Sharp (INF).

New players looking to make an impact include junior Angelina Osso (INF) and freshmen Ginger Radzieta (INF), Emma Oravits (3B/P), Annabella Culican (OF) and Melissa Rivello (C).

Tech is scheduled to open the season Tuesday at Atlantic City.

“Success may not be immediate or consistent, but each game will serve as a valuable learning opportunity, laying the foundation for future success,” said fourth-year Tech coach Cortney Walters.

Cape May Tech competes in the Cape-Atlantic United Conference.

LOWER CAPE MAY

Lower Cape May begins the season with a new head coach in Judy McCullough, who had served as an assistant coach under Kiersten Hughes.

The Lady Tigers enjoyed a competitive season a year ago, winning 10 games. They’ll look to a handful of experienced players as they begin the 2024 season on Tuesday at Absegami.

The top returnees are senior tri-captains Hailey Elwell, Kyra Ridgway and Jayden Foltz. Elwell led the team with a .509 batting average, while Ridgway hit .479 and tied for the team lead with seven extra-base hits.

Other key returnees include juniors Isabella Arbelo Miranda and Kaylei Deleon, both returning starters. Arbelo Miranda hit .476 while Deleon topped the team with 14 stolen bases last season.

MIDDLE TOWNSHIP

Middle Township is clearly a program on the rise. After finishing 13-11 last season in the competitive CAL National Conference, the Lady Panthers bring back all but two starters for the 2024 campaign.

Middle is led by senior Gabby Cruz (P), who struck out 248 hitters a season ago while emerging as one of the top pitchers in the entire CAL. She also hit .297 while leading the team with seven extra-base hits and 16 RBI. Other returning seniors include Lily Vogel (3B), Armani Mejia (OF) and Emma Messer (OF).

Junior returnees include Juliet Thompson (OF), Megan Turner (P/OF), Sydnie Hunter (1B) and Brynn Brophy (P/INF). 

Sophomores with varsity experience include Tori Atwood (C), Grace Hall (P/INF), Kahlan Schaffer (OF) and Charlotte Romberger (1B).

Two freshmen, Dakota Laughlin (SS) and Payton DeVecchis (3B/C), are also expected to contribute.

“I believe our team has a strong potential to compete within the division based on the amount of returning players,” second-year head coach Walt Cubernot said.

Middle had a couple of games this week postponed and is now scheduled to open the season Monday with a home game against Our Lady of Mercy Academy.

WILDWOOD

Wildwood won five games a season ago and moves into a new season with just a handful of returning players, which could make things difficult in trying to compete in the very competitive Tri-County Conference Classic Division.

Wildwood is led by three returning seniors in Charlotte Kilian (P/OF), Sophie Wilber (OF) and Ashley Nagle (3B/P). Kilian is the team’s top pitcher and also led the club with a .471 batting average. Other returning players include junior Gianna Caerfagno (OF) and Cydnee Kilian (C).

New players expected to contribute include seniors Monica Kobierowski (OF) and Asiyah Shockley (OF), junior Kiyah Shockley (OF) and freshman Rebecca Benichou (SS), Emma Marcellino (OF/C), Maddie Stratz (2B/OF) and Allyson Lillo (1B/OF).

Wildwood is coached by Teresa Cunniff (14th season).

The Lady Warriors open their season Monday at Overbrook.

WILDWOOD CATHOLIC

Wildwood Catholic went just 4-13 a season ago but features eight returning players who hope to lead the Crusaders to increased success in 2024.

The Crusaders are led by junior Julia Wallace (SS), who hit .304 with a team-best 10 runs scored last season. Other key returning players include seniors Grace Deegler (2B), Allyson Vessels (3B), Dani Shaw (1B), Emily Evans (C) and Sienna Sawyer (OF), junior Emma Johnson (P) and sophomore Sophia Sarri (OF). 

Newcomers expected to help include junior Kristen Wareham (OF), sophomore Tori Wareham (OF) and freshman Lilah Sawyer (OF).

T.J. Johnson returns for his second season as the Crusaders’ head coach.

Wildwood Catholic, which competes in the CAL National Conference, is scheduled to open the season Tuesday at home against Ocean City.