EPC Softball Previews

Last Year: It was a wild season in 2024, as not one of the three division winners made the EPC championship game. Nazareth defeated Pleasant Valley 10-0 for the title, before rivals Liberty and Freedom met for the district final. Top contenders Parkland and Emmaus are back in the mix once more, and we’ll see if Pleasant Valley or Stroudsburg can keep their momentum going. Easton, Whitehall, and Bethlehem Catholic have something to say about 2025, also.

Listen back to the 1st Annual EPC Softball Preview Show, presented by the Eastern PA Sports Network.

Easton Red Rovers(12-9)

Head Coach: Ed McIntyre

Key Losses: Cieara Barreiros, Alyssa Mayorca, Ava Monks & Ella Swart

Key Returning Players: Anna Jones OF (12), Mary Munjone OF (12), Audrey Rinda P/DP (12), Kaede Walsh 3B/1B/DP (12), Faith Zimmerman 2B (12), Thalia Burns 1B, & Kailyn Castellano SS (11)

Key Newcomers: Sania Santiago OF/IF (12), Zoe Betts IF/C (11), Alyvia Fleming OF/IF (10), Gabby Orsato OF (10), Gianna Koch P (10) Emma Hanlon IF (9) & Lia Rush C (9)

Season Outlook: After getting off to a good start (11-3) to 2024 season we lost 6 of our final 7 games. We will need to flush those final games of 2024 and walk into the face of the storm if we want to be successful and come out on the other side.

3/17Northampton4/11@ Bethlehem Catholic
3/20@ Central Catholic4/15@ Parkland
3/21@ Council Rock South4/16Bangor
3/24Southern Lehigh4/21East Stroudsburg North
3/26Stroudsburg4/23@ Northampton
3/28@ Freedom4/25Freedom
4/1Dieruff4/29@ Liberty
4/3@ Pocono Mountain East5/1Bethlehem Catholic
4/7Liberty5/3@ Phillipsburg
4/9Nazareth5/5@ Nazareth

Dieruff Huskies(2-18)

Head Coach: Brianna Knipe

Key Losses: Mia Monet (left field)

Key Returning Players: Seniors Aniah Clavell and Marisa Price-Velazquez  Juniors Nylyn Gomez, Jennibel Liz Cerda, Sofia Diaz

Key Newcomers: Caylin Castro, Milly Matos, Dana Barsky

Season Outlook: This season we have a very strong veteran presence who lead our team with a lot of pride. Our goal is always to be better than the last season and we have confidence we can do that this year with a fresh squad in the infield.

3/17Whitehall4/15Freedom
3/20Northampton4/21Parkland
3/22Salisbury4/23@ Whitehall
3/26@ Central Catholic4/25Central Catholic
3/28@ East Stroudsburg South4/28@ Saucon Valley
4/1@ Easton4/29Emmaus
4/3@ Emmaus5/1@ Parkland
4/5@ Bethlehem Catholic5/2@ Pocono Mountain West
4/7Pleasant Valley5/5William Allen
4/9@ William Allen5/7@ Executive Education

Emmaus Green Hornets(18-5)

Head Coach: Rich Giering

Key Losses: Autumn Held, Brianna Amey, Molly Yard, Cora-li Moyer, Taylor Gitski, Emma Kozy

Key Returners: Sr  Sadie Haefeli, Sr  Avery Defanti, Sr Avery Shank, Sr Sophia Tranguch, Jr Abby Derr, Jr Taylor Hauver

Key Newcomers: Sr  Amanda King, Jr  Brianna Gitski, Jr  Sarah Longbons, Soph Mari Eiswerth, Soph Morgan Schwab, Soph Sydney Bennett, Soph Caylie Granitz

Season Outlook: The coaching staff expects good things from this group and one of our goals is the league playoffs.

3/17Central Catholic4/9Parkland
3/20Nazareth4/11@ Pocono Mountain East
3/21@ Blue Mountain4/12Spring-Ford
3/26@ William Allen4/15Bethlehem Catholic
3/28@ East Stroudsburg North4/21@ Whitehall
3/29@ Abington Heights4/23@ Central Catholic
4/1@ Liberty4/25William Allen
4/3Dieruff4/29@ Dieruff
4/5@ East Stroudsburg South5/1Whitehall
4/7Stroudsburg5/5@ Parkland

Bethlehem Catholic Golden Hawks(13-9)

Head Coach: Kayla Paszek

Key Losses: Hailey Pyle and Mia VanFleet

Key Returning Players: Sarah Banko 3B  (Senior),  Maddison Bixler Pitcher / Utility (Sophomore),  Maddy Ahner CF (Sophomore), Angela Hodge SS, 2B OF (Sophomore), MiKaila Brooks OF, Pitcher (Sophomore)

Key Newcomers: Morgan Ostrosky (Freshman), Isabella Borsuk (Freshman), Lindsey Castellitto (Junior from Phillipsburg), and Sophie Donchez (Junior from Kutztown)

Season Outlook: This season we are coming in as a young group, with a lot of desire to play hard and excel as a team. We added a lot of young talent, and talent through new transfers into our school to add to our roster from last season. We are looking to build a winning season, with the mindset of working hard, creating team chemistry, and, importantly, having fun.

3/17@ Liberty4/11Easton
3/20@ William Allen4/12Stroudsburg
3/24@ Notre Dame GP4/15@ Emmaus
3/26Pocono Mountain West4/21Pleasant Valley
3/28Nazareth4/23Liberty
4/1Whitehall4/25@ Nazareth
4/3@ East Stroudsburg South4/29Freedom
4/5Dieruff5/1@ Easton
4/7@ Freedom5/3Wilson Area
4/9Northampton5/5@ Northampton

Stroudsburg Mountaineers(15-6)

Head Coach: Maynard Frantz

Key Losses: Hannah Helm, Haleigh Mazol, Sierre Thieme, Ally Willis, Vanessa DeFalco, and Shiloh Wilson 

Key Returning Players: Dot Elko, Madison Perez, Elena Trotter, Izzy Molinaro, Jordan Cook, Kat Lavra, Isabella Thomas 

Key Newcomers: Melissa Safin (back from injury), Morgan Callender, Ava and Ella Fagan-Huse, Ang DiTaranto, Bella Piper,Izabella Hernandez

Season Outlook:   We are a hardworking young team and look forward to having a strong season.

3/20@ East Stroudsburg South4/11William Allen
3/24Pocono Mountain East4/12@ Bethlehem Catholic
3/26@ Easton4/15@ Pocono Mountain West
3/28Whitehall4/21@ Freedom
3/31Pen Argyl4/23@ Pocono Mountain East
4/1East Stroudsburg North4/25East Stroudsburg South
4/3Northampton4/26Delaware Valley
4/5@ Palmerton4/29@ East Stroudsburg North
4/7@ Emmaus5/1Pocono Mountain West
4/9@ Pleasant Valley5/5Pleasant Valley

Pleasant Valley Bears(15-8)

Head Coach: Michelle Albanese

Key Losses: We lost a few key players in our line up and on the field; Hailey Krock was a solid lead off batter, Sam Ratti as our starting catcher, and Danica Getz as a key player for our infield.

Key Returning Players: We have 9 returning varsity players. Including strong returning infielders Brianca Pridham (Sr.), Jovie Valenzuela (Sr.), and Rylan Knapp (So.), and starting pitcher Kailyn Getz (Sr.). We also have solid returning starting outfielders back as well, Allison and Lydia Borger, both seniors. We also have Renee Frable and Katie VanSchoyck as returning seniors to round out and give depth to our infield and outfield.

Key Newcomers: New to our field and line-up is Emma DePalma (So.). Emma was pulled up last season and utilized as a runner mostly. We are looking forward to what she can bring to the team this season as we use her complete skill set.

Season Outlook: This season feels promising for us. We are in the 5A bracket and are looking forward to new competition for District playoffs. As head coach, I am lucky to come into a program that has been strong in the past, with smart players and a talented and knowledgeable coaching staff, I’m looking to continue a strong playoff trend and come away with a few key wins this season. These girls are strong willed and ready to work hard to make their goals come to fruition and come out on top.

3/14@ Southern Lehigh4/9Stroudsburg
3/17East Stroudsburg North4/11Parkland
3/18@ Saucon Valley4/15@ East Stroudsburg South
3/20@ Pocono Mountain East4/21@ Bethlehem Catholic
3/24@ Palmerton4/23@ East Stroudsburg North
3/26@ Liberty4/25Pocono Mountain East
3/28Central Catholic4/29@ Pocono Mountain West
4/1Pocono Mountain West5/1East Stroudsburg South
4/3Nazareth5/5@ Stroudsburg
4/7@ Dieruff5/9Wallenpaupack

Nazareth Blue Eagles(20-5)

Head Coach: Steve Genzale

Key Losses: No seniors graduated

Key Returning Players: Shauna McNamee  Senior C, Alina Weaver Senior 2B, Natalie Chloros Senior CF, Emma Infantino Senior SS, Hailey Mandala Senior 1B, Taylor Friel Junior 3B, Lily Moretti Junior OF, Avery Kauffman Junior P, Kylie Grover Junior P

Key Newcomers: Briana Recchia Junior OF, Gianna Perillo Junior OF

Season Outlook: We look to rebound from a tough District Semi-final loss to Freedom. We would like to win the EPC for the 3rd straight year and get back to the district finals. We have a lot of great senior players with a lot of experience and quite a few juniors who are ready to step on the field and contribute.

3/17Freedom4/11@ Liberty
3/20@ Emmaus4/12Wallenpaupack
3/21Northwestern Lehigh4/15@ Whitehall
3/26East Stroudsburg South4/21Pocono Mountain West
3/28@ Bethlehem Catholic4/23@ Freedom
4/1William Allen4/25Bethlehem Catholic
4/3@ Pleasant Valley4/29@ Northampton
4/5Notre Dame GP5/1Liberty
4/7Northampton5/2@ Pocono Mountain East
4/9@ Easton5/5Easton

Freedom Patriots(18-7)

Head Coach: Michele Laubach

Key Losses(Names/Pos): Madison Glick, SS; Alexis Acevedo, P; Kate Miller, 2B

Key Returning Players(Names/Pos): Namelia Duro, P; Bailey Barber, P; Daniela Guzzo, LF; Brooke Rummel, CF; Hannah Heidemann, RF; Maia D’Amico, 3B; Siara Gonzolez, 1B; Payton Besecker, C; Brooklyn Pronovich, SS; Landry Guman, OF

Season Outlook: Develop our pitching staff around the solid core of players. We have several seniors playing in college and a strong leadership led team.

3/19@ Nazareth4/9Liberty
3/20@ Parkland4/11@ Northampton
3/22Pen Argyl4/12Abington Heights
3/26Pocono Mountain East4/15@ Dieruff
3/28Easton4/21Stroudsburg
3/29@ Central Dauphin4/23Nazareth
4/1Central Catholic4/25@ Easton
4/3@ East Stroudsburg North4/29@ Bethlehem Catholic
4/4Northampton5/1Northampton
4/7Bethlehem Catholic5/6@ Liberty

East Stroudsburg North Timberwolves(4-16)

Head Coach: Andrea Massaro

Key Losses: Eva Massaro and Maddison Nadasi both had strong presence at the plate and Maddison was a 4 year varsity starter behind the plate and Eva was a versatile player being able to play on the mound when needed, short stop, 3rd base or left field 

Key Returning Players: sophomore  pitcher / left fielder Jennika Doyle, Senior CF Alexia Robbinson, Junior SS Alyssa Androver, Senior 1st/catcher  Jaylean Marcoux

Season Outlook: Will be interesting with only 7 returning players from last year. We have a few new players that are promising and working hard but are brand new to the sport. 

3/14@ Executive Education4/11Whitehall
3/17@ Pleasant Valley4/14Notre Dame ES
3/20Pocono Mountain West4/15Pocono Mountain East
3/24@ Notre Dame ES4/21@ Easton
3/26@ Northampton4/23Pleasant Valley
3/28Emmaus4/25@ Pocono Mountain West
4/1@ Stroudsburg4/29Stroudsburg
4/3Freedom5/1@ Pocono Mountain East
4/7@ William Allen5/5East Stroudsburg South
4/9@ East Stroudsburg South5/7Northern Lehigh

Whitehall Zephyrs(12-11)

Head Coach: Jeff Vivian

Key Losses: Kate Yadush (1B), Aubrey Steiner (C), Sienna Meli (ss), Hanna Bundra (OF), 

Key Returning Players: Morgan Laub (P), Josie Shultz (INF), Molly McFetridge (INF), Bella Muth (INF), Paige Tacker (OF), Nya Brown (OF), 

Key Newcomers: Amya Espinal (C), Kyra Miller (C/INF), Alyssa Dunbar (OF), Arianna Donlon (OF), Ari Casey (P/INF), Jules Muth (INF)

Season Outlook: We lost some cornerstone pieces to our lineup, so replacing those will be the biggest question we face. Laub starting her Junior year on the mound will be our steady area, what we do behind her is the next set of question marks. We are going to have to turn some question marks into exclamation points for us to have success and find some wins. This will be a team to focus on our finish and not necessarily how we start, but the staff really likes what they see here. 

3/15@ North Hills4/11@ East Stroudsburg North
3/17@ Dieruff4/12Hazleton
3/20Liberty4/15Nazareth
3/26Parkland4/16Northampton
3/28@ Stroudsburg4/21Emmaus
3/29@ Pine Grove4/23Dieruff
4/1@ Bethlehem Catholic4/25@ Parkland
4/3@ William Allen4/29William Allen
4/7Pocono Mountain East5/1@ Emmaus
4/9Central Catholic5/5@ Central Catholic

Liberty Hurricanes(20-5)

Head Coach: Sam Carrodo

Players lost to graduation: SS – Ariana Castillo C- Maddie Noll RF- Sam Kurinovich 

Key Returners: Addy Sabo -CF, Anne Marie Stella -2B, Leah Onia-1B, Addy Smith-P, Adriana O’Neill -3B, Ella Quayle – LF, McKenna Beck-utility 

Newcomers: SS-Sophia Rivera

Team to Beat: Nazareth 

3/19Freedom4/11@ Liberty
3/20@ Emmaus4/12Wallenpaupack
3/21Northwestern Lehigh4/15@ Whitehall
3/26East Stroudsburg South4/21Pocono Mountain West
3/28@ Bethlehem Catholic4/23@ Freedom
4/1William Allen4/25Bethlehem Catholic
4/3@ Pleasant Valley4/29@ Northampton
4/5Notre Dame GP5/1Liberty
4/7Northampton5/2@ Pocono Mountain East
4/9@ Easton5/5Easton

Northampton Konkrete Kids(13-9)

Head Coach: Kristy Henritzy

Starters lost to graduation (Names/Pos) – Ava Cascario/CF, Ryley Coulburn/SS, Kylie Eberts/2B

Key Returnees (Names/Pos) – SR. Megan Ferenchak- C/IF, SR. Mikell Kulp – P/OF, JR. Hannah Duerr- C, JR. Avery Deibert – 1B, JR. Rosalie Echavarria – 3B, JR. Hailey Makovsky – P/OF, Soph. Josephine Siegfried – 2B, Soph. Kiley Henritzy – SS

Newcomers (Names/Pos) – JR. Alyssa Chromey- OF, JR. Mea Allsion – IF, JR. Claire Lack- OF, JR. Leah Regan – OF, Soph. Rylee Gable- P/IN, Soph. Kirsten Wolfe – OF

Season Outlook:  We’re a young and hungry team with a strong drive to succeed. The core focus this season is building chemistry and playing as one cohesive unit. This group has achieved tremendous success since their middle school days, and they continue to impress me with their unwavering work ethic, commitment to the culture, and the way they measure their own progress. The energy they bring to the field is electric, and that energy will be their superpower this season. We have the talent to compete with anyone in the EPC. The key will be how we come together, stay focused, and embrace the present moment. That’s what will ultimately determine our success.

3/17@ Easton4/9@ Bethlehem Catholic
3/20@ Dieruff4/11Freedom
3/21Kutztown4/12Pine Grove
3/26East Stroudsburg North4/15@ Central Catholic
3/28Liberty4/16@ Whitehall
4/1Parkland4/21Pocono Mountain East
4/3@ Stroudsburg4/23Easton
4/4@ Freedom4/25@ Liberty
4/5@ Hazleton4/29Nazareth
4/7@ Nazareth5/5Bethlehem Catholic

Allentown Central Catholic Vikettes(5-15)

Head Coach: William Milists

Key Losses: Montana Nagle – 3rd base , Millie Duran – 2nd base . Catherine Raynock. Center field.

Key Returning Players: Kairi Charles – catcher, 1st base ,  11 grade , Hailey Kahr 11 grade 1st base or second pitcher, Jenna Dalrymple 

11 grade pitcher second base .Gianna Menecola – 10 grade ss stop. Giada Montone 11 grade center field . Julia Janis – 11 grade  right field . Angelina Bernardi 3rd and outfield  11 grade 

Key Newcomers: 10th grader Eloise Brown -3rd base – 9th grader-Emily Lewis -2nd base right-or center field . Lucy Comfort outfield- 9th grader -Skylar Taylor –   9th grader -First  base Eliza Tackas, 9th grader first base and 2nd base 

Season Outlook: team has worked very hard in the off season . Finally we have some depth on the bench and interchangeable players . I think we will surprises few teams . Pitching is important this year and the younger players have stepped up to fill the void. 

3/17@ Emmaus4/11@ East Stroudsburg South
3/19Southern Lehigh4/12Pocono Mountain East
3/20Easton4/15Northampton
3/24@ Salisbury4/21William Allen
3/26Dieruff4/23Emmaus
3/28@ Pleasant Valley4/25@ Dieruff
4/1@ Freedom4/26Nativity BVM
4/3@ Parkland4/29Parkland
4/7Pocono Mountain West5/1@ William Allen
4/9@ Whitehall5/5Whitehall

East Stroudsburg South Cavaliers(8-13)

Head Coach: Samantha Skrzypek

Key losses: Katie Verwys

Key returning players: Johanna Carey, Emily Ehrhardt, and Mayla Mathew.

Key newcomers: Taylor Carey

Season Outlook: We have a strong team this year. Our defense and hitting is going to be solid, but we need to make sure we are executing the important plays and make those timely hits. We have moved up to 6A this year, and we are looking to make Districts and stay competitive with the teams. Can’t wait to see the accomplishments of the girls and how they progress through the season.

3/14@ Bangor4/7@ Parkland
3/15@ Pen Argyl4/9East Stroudsburg North
3/17@ Pocono Mountain West4/11Central Catholic
3/20Stroudsburg4/15Pleasant Valley
3/22North Pocono4/21@ Liberty
3/26@ Nazareth4/23Pocono Mountain West
3/28Dieruff4/25@ Stroudsburg
4/1@ Pocono Mountain East4/29Pocono Mountain East
4/3Bethlehem Catholic5/1@ Pleasant Valley
4/5Emmaus5/5@ East Stroudsburg North

Pocono Mountain West Panthers(3-16)

Head Coach: Nora Wandalowski

Key Losses: Pocono Mountain West Softball celebrated the graduation of eight seniors at the end of the 2024 season. Three were key starters on the varsity squad: Kemaley Hamilton (Left Field), Nettie Phelan (Right Field) and Jackie Pittius (2nd Base).  Additionally, we had another starter, sophomore Olivia Marasco (Center Field) move out of the district.  

Key Returning Players:  Pocono Mountain West Softball is lucky to have our standout starting pitcher, junior Julia MacPhee and solid starting catcher, junior Sam Rider returning to lead the team.  A trio of sophomores, who were freshman starters last season, have returned and grown as players: Riley Evans (3rd Base), Cayleigh Keller (Short Stop), and Chloe Straub (Center Field/1st Base).  Returning from our 2024 JV squad are four key utility players that are going to contribute every day to our team: junior Chanel Bayton, junior Lili Rodriguez,  and junior Ana Yuter.

Key Newcomers:  We are excited to add a new junior who played last season at Notre Dame, Kayla Vitaletti (outfield). Coming up from middle school are five freshmen that are hungry to win and ready to dive in: Kaylee Masotti (pitcher), Harley Weaver (catcher), Emma Covino (outfield), Angie Sauerwein (utility), Carly Hindson (pitcher). 

Season Outlook: Coming off a disappointing 2024 season, we are optimistic that we have the talent and drive to make a playoff run this season. 

4/7@ Central Catholic
3/15Western Wayne4/9@ Pocono Mountain East
3/17East Stroudsburg South4/15Stroudsburg
3/20@ East Stroudsburg North4/17@ Lehighton
3/26@ Bethlehem Catholic4/21@ Nazareth
3/27Notre Dame ES4/23@ East Stroudsburg South
3/28Parkland4/25East Stroudsburg North
4/1@ Pleasant Valley4/29Pleasant Valley
4/3Liberty5/1@ Stroudsburg
4/5@ Notre Dame ES5/2Dieruff

Pocono Mountain East(7-14)

Head Coach: Amanda Haney

Key Losses: Alexa DelGuidice 

Key Returning Players: Emily Dubisz SR., Karlie Jurastis JR., Makenzie VanWinkle JR.

Key Newcomers: Olivia Hensel, catcher and utility player 

Season Outlook: We have almost a full returning varsity team. We are dedicated to making the league playoffs. With only one starting player as a key loss we are determined to be the best team we can possibly be. We still have a young team. Our senior and junior pitchers have been working extremely hard in the off season to put forth her best effort for our team. 

3/20Pleasant Valley4/12@ Allentown Central
3/24@ Stroudsburg4/15@ East Stroudsburg North
3/26@ Freedom4/17  @ Pen Argyl
3/28William Allen4/21@ Northampton
4/1East Stroudsburg South 4/23Stroudsburg 
4/3Easton4/25@ Pleasant Valley
4/5@ Bangor4/29@ East Stroudsburg South
4/7@ Whitehall5/1East Stroudsburg North
4/9Pocono Mountain West 5/2Nazareth
4/11Emmaus5/5@ Pocono Mountain West 

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