AREA HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL PREVIEW

Posted: March 27th 2026

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

Just one of the local high school softball teams finished with a winning record last spring.

With quite a few returning players among the ranks, each local team is hoping to change that trend in 2026.

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

CAPE MAY TECH

Cape May Tech enjoyed one of the better seasons in program history a year ago, finishing 15-9 overall and in second place in the Cape-Atlantic United Conference.

With eight returning players, the Hawks hope to continue the trend of success.

Junior OF Annabella Culican (.351 batting average, team-best 11 extra-base hits in 2025), junior 1B Ginger Radzieta (.319 BA) and junior P/3B Emma Oravits (.278 BA, 56 K as pitcher) are among the team’s top players.

Other returnees include seniors Marisa Daniels (OF), Jordy Sharp (2B) and Audrey Simmerman (OF) and juniors Melissa Rivello (C) and Cheyanne Enright (OF).

The top newcomers include junior Aaryana Crawley (P/IF) and freshmen Brianna Knights (SS) and Addison Lesage (3B).

Seventh-year coach Cortney Walters cited her team’s chemistry as one of its greatest attributes. She also believes there is strong leadership.

“This team's greatest assets — their chemistry, work ethic, and defensive fundamentals — give them a strong foundation to compete at a high level,” Walters said. “Their collective spirit and leadership will carry them through tough stretches of the season. The primary challenge will be managing pitching depth, but if the staff stays healthy and the team continues to play with the energy and cohesion they are known for, this group has every ability to have a successful and memorable season.”

Cape May Tech opened the season Monday with an 18-7 loss to Pilgrim Academy. Cullican had two hits and three runs scored in the loss. The team’s next game was scheduled for Friday at Wildwood but was rained out.

LOWER CAPE MAY

Lower Cape May is coming off a four-win season but returns nine players from last year’s group and will enjoy the services of a couple of promising freshmen.

Lower returns four of its top three hitters in terms of batting average from last year in senior OF Bailey Leininger (.356), junior OF Abby Pellicano (.515), sophomore SS Raegan Notch (.451) and sophomore UT Kailyn Tait (.375). 

Also back are seniors Layton Arenberg (1B), Kylie Saltzman (UT) and Cheyenne Locklear (UT) and sophomores Sophia Crecca (3B) and Kylie Winslow (2B/P).

Newcomers expected to help include sophomore Leks Domanowski (C) and freshmen E’leyna Koerner (OF) and Finnley Arenberg (P).

Another top freshman, Avery Hansen, was expected to make a massive impact as a debutant but will miss the season due to an injury suffered during basketball season.

“We lost a few key starters last year but gained some talented freshmen that I believe will help us excel,” Lower coach Kiersten Price said. “We are looking to build on the young talent we had last year and should improve our overall record.”

Lower was scheduled to open the regular season Friday at home against Atlantic City.

MIDDLE TOWNSHIP

Middle Township returns a rather experienced group from a team that went a competitive 10-10 last spring. Some of those returnees were also members of the Middle Township senior league team that won district, region and state championships last summer.

The Lady Panthers are led by an experienced group of returning seniors. They include C/3B Tori Atwood (.team-best .356 batting average last season), IF/P Grace Hall (.314 BA), 1B Charlotte Romberger (10 RBI) and OF K.J. Schaffer (13 runs scored).

Other key returnees include junior SS/P Dakota Laughlin (.317 BA, team-best 20 runs scored), junior 3B/C Payton DeVecchis (.309 BA, team-best 12 RBI) and sophomore P/UT Katie Creamer (39 IP). 

Newcomers expected to make an impact include senior C/IF Sophia Brown, junior OF Paige Peters, junior UT Julianna Sittineri and sophomore OF Andrea Glassford.

“We have a good amount of returning players we hope can lead us to some good wins,” said coach Chuck Dougherty, in the second season of his second stint as the program’s coach. “Hopefully we can be better than last year.”

Middle was scheduled to open the season Friday at home against Holy Spirit.

WILDWOOD

Wildwood will be fielding a rather young team this spring, one that features just one senior in UT/C Cydnee Kilian.

But after starting five freshmen during last year’s five-win campaign, and with the addition of an experienced transfer and a couple of freshmen with promise, the Lady Warriors hope for improvement.

Some of the top returnees include sophomore P/C Emma Contreras (.392 batting average, 7 extra-base hits, 18 RBI, 133 strikeouts as pitcher last season), sophomore UT Julia Ennis (.349 BA) and sophomore C/INF Addison Troiano.

Other returnees who saw significant action a season ago include juniors Maddie Stratz (OF/2B) and Ally Lillo (INF) and sophomores Antionette Cooper (OF) and Laila Fathi (2B/OF). 

Wildwood also expects a boost from junior SS Cara Millard, a transfer who batted .423 at Wildwood Catholic last season, and freshman Charlotte Booth (C/OF), who has lots of experience from the youth travel softball circuit.

Other newcomers expected to help include junior Sarah Djellal (UT) and freshmen Sabrin Fathi (OF) and Camryn Kilian (OF).

The Lady Warriors will compete in the Tri-County Classic Division for the last time, as the school’s athletic program is set to rejoin the Cape-Atlantic League next scholastic year.

Wildwood, coached by Teresa Cunniff, lost its opener 8-6 at Buena on Wednesday. Booth had three hits and three RBI in the loss.

Wildwood was scheduled to face Cape May Tech Friday, but the game was rained out.

WILDWOOD CATHOLIC

Wildwood Catholic begins the season with a new head coach in Tom Messer, who served as an assistant coach in the program last spring. He was previously an assistant coach for a few seasons at Middle Township as well.

Wildwood Catholic enjoyed a competitive season a year ago, finishing 7-9. The Crusaders did lose some key players to graduation and transfer.

This year’s team will field a rather young group, but one that has potential to improve quickly as it gains experience.

Junior OF Yae-Jin Billiris (.346 batting average in 2025) and sophomore Abby Vessels (.323 BA, 11 RBI) are among the top returnees. Others with varsity experience include junior Lilah Sawyer (SS) and sophomore Sophia Lutz (1B). Another returnee is senior Sophia Sarri (3B), who missed last season through injury.

There are seven newcomers expected to help. They include juniors Lacy Mana (UT) and Amanda Gill (P/UT) and freshmen Ali Stone (P), Jianna Belancio (C), Maddie Dunn (OF), Nora Cray (OF) and Isabella Zelikov (2B/3B). Four of those freshmen are expected to be regular starters.

“I think our team will compete and develop during the course of the season,” Messer said.

Wildwood Catholic opened with a wild 27-12 win over Pleasantville Thursday. Sawyer hit for the cycle and registered five runs scored and four RBI, Lutz had three hits and Vessels went 2 for 5 with a triple and five RBI.