EPC Softball Previews

Bethlehem Catholic(5-16)

Head Coach: Tatum Kresley(1st yr)

Key Losses: Madison Bixler(transfered to Freedom), Sarah Banko, Carly Zegalia, Leah Bender, Sarah Gowell

Key Returners: Junior Angela Hodge, Sophomore Morgan Ostrosky, Sophomore Isabelle Borsuk

Key Newcomers: Freshman Alyssa Brothers, Freshman Ava Dech, Freshman Remington Garo

Season outlook: This new and developing team is planning on a major growth year and seeing more wins in our win column for the EPC. Being in 4A, we are working for that district title. 

East Stroudsburg South(10-11)

Head Coach: Samantha Skrzypek

Key Returners: Johanna Carey, acting as a wall at second base, ended the season batting .426. Taylor Carey, pitcher and 3rd baseman, ended the season batting .375 and striking out 35. Joslynn Yurescko, one of East Stroudsburg’s star offensive players, batting .515 with 35 hits and 20 runs. Joey Cappa dominated her freshman season both offensively and defensively ending the season batting .482 with 27 hits and 19 runs.

Season outlook: We have a solid team this year up and down the line-up. We have been focusing on hitting during the off-season, and the girls have been making solid contact at practice and at our scrimmage. I am excited to see us go far this year and to have an impressive season.

Easton(15-10)

Head Coach: Gary Ruschman(1st year)

Key Losses:

Audrey Rinda. P

Anna Jones  CF

Faith Zimmerman  2B

Mary Munjone LF

Kaede Walsh DP

Key Returners:

Kailyn Castellano  SR   SS captain 

Thalia Burns           SR   1B captain

Zoe Betts                SR    3B captain 

Gianna Koch          JR     P

Alyvia Fleming       JR    OF

Gabriella Orsato    JR    OF

Lia Rush                  SO    C

Key Newcomers:

Emily Materna     SR

Gabriella Yanders  SO

Daelyn Williams   FR

Katherine Kline    FR

Season Outlook: We have a good group of returning starters and will look to a young group of pitchers to step up as we lost LV and EPC pitcher of the year Audrey Rinda to graduation.

Emmaus(18-5)

Head Coach: Rich Giering(3rd year)

Key Losses:  Sadie  Haefeli,  Avery Defanti, Avery Shank, Sophia Tranguch,  Amanda King

Key Returners:  SR  Abby Derr,  SR Brianna Gitski,  SR Sarah Longbons,  SR  Taylor Hauver  JR Mari Eiswerth

                             JR Morgan Schwab,  JR Sydney Bennett  JR Julia Defanti back after missing 2025 season torn ACL.

                             JR  Caylie Granitz

Key Newcomers:  JR   Julia Murphy Peterson   Soph  Haleigh Gigliotti    Soph  Marissa Gigliotti  Soph  Auttumn  Tarbox

                                 Soph  Kandis Barthol   Freshmen  Calise Eiswerth

Season Outlook-  We’ve got a good group of young ladies with the returners having a ton of experience at the varsity level. The mix of newcomers with this group will keep us competitive in our division and the EPC.

Freedom(18-6)

Head Coach: Steve Pronovich(1st year)

Key Losses:

• Maia D’amico- 3B- Lehigh Commit
• Hannah Heidemann- OF
• Siara Gonzalez- 1B – Gettysburg College Commit
• Daniella Guzzo- OF- Franklin and Marshal Commit
• Aly Laubach- 2B- Field Hockey- Mercy Hurst Commit
• Bailey Barber- P

Key Returners:

• Sr. Namelia Duro- P/MIF
• Sr. Brooke Rummel- OF
• Sr. Landry Guman- OF
• Jr. Brooklyn Pronovich- SS/U
• Jr. Payton Besecker- C/3B

Key Newcomers:

• Jr. Madison Bixler- P/OF Bechi Xfer
• Fr. Christina Kish- 1B
• Fr. Izabella Raynor- C/SS
• Fr. Taylor D’Amico- MIF
• Fr. Jordan Kametz- P/U

Season Outlook:

• Big shoes to fill with Coach Laubach’s resignation. Same championship level mindset and expectations. Excellent lineup top to bottom defensively and offensively which will be more balanced then in past years with a great mix of power hitters (Pronovich, Rummel, Guman, Duro), a steady balance of contact hitters (Besecker, Pavolko, and Casey Keifner ), and a very strong freshmen class (Kish, D’amico, Kametz, and Raynor). Duro and Bechi transfer Madi Bixler will bring a 1-2 punch to the pitching staff with a solid 3 in Morgan Palvolko (So.) / Casey Kierfner (Jr.).

Liberty(15-7)

Head Coach: Sam Carrodo

Key Losses: Sophia Rivera, Addy Sabo, Ann Marie Stella

Key Returners: Leah Onia, Addy Smith, McKenna Beck, Ella Quayle, Brooke Doncsecz, Abbie Benner

Key Newcomers: Ava Tomac, Mikayla Seacor

Season Outlook: I think we can be a strong team this year. Hitting will be the key to our success. Our division, again is extremely tough. I am not predicting anything, but I feel we can match up with a lot of the stronger teams.

Nazareth(22-7)

Head Coach: Steve Genzale

Key Losses: Alina Weaver 2B, Emma Infantino SS, Shauna McNamee C and Natalie Chloros CF

Key Returners: Lily Moretti OF, Briana Recchia OF/C, Taylor Friel 3B, Kylie Grover P, Avery Kauffman P, Gianna Perillo IF

Key Newcomers: Taylor Whiteash IF, Kassandra Zin IF, Sarah Deily OF, Addison Schmittel 1B, Makenzie Grundy IF/OF

Season Outlook: Pitching is still our strength. We have some holes in the lineup that need to be filled by the seniors that graduated last year. However, the coaching staff has a lot of confidence in the players who will be filling those shoes. We still have power up and down the lineup.

Pleasant Valley(13-9)

Head Coach: Michelle Albanese

Key Losses: With the loss of 7 senior starters, we lost talented infielders and outfielders. They were also key players in the batting line-up. 

Key Returners: Rylan Knapp (11)- strong and confident and a leader on the field and Maddie Abbatiello (11)- a decisive and confident hitter. 

Key Newcomers: Mia Battaglino (9)- catcher; she will be a solid hitter in the line up as well. 

Season Outlook: We are hoping to make it to the District final game again this season. We have a young team and our players have a good mindset going into this season.

Pocono Mountain East(10-10)

Head Coach: Jared Daniel Quintero

Key Losses: Emily Dubisz (P/UTL), Macenzie Stover (1B), Faith Riviello (OF)

Key Returners: Karlie Jurasits, Sr. (P/UTL), Mackenzie Van Winkle, Sr. (C), Victoria Lee, Jr. (OF), Brianne Smith, Jr. (INF)

Key Newcomers: Kaycee Jurasits, Fr. (UTL), Peyton Zyblicki, Fr. (P)

Season Outlook: 

Following a standout season that culminated in a District Playoff Semifinal appearance, the Cardinals– led by new Head Coach Jared Quintero, are poised to return as a contender for the District XI 5A title, looking to add to the championships earned in 2021 and 2023. While we bid farewell to graduate Emily Dubisz, who continues her career at Marywood University, we are confident in Senior Karlie Jurasits and Freshman Peyton Zyblicki, both of whom are ready to step up and anchor our rotation in the circle.

Defensively, the pitching staff will be supported by three-year starting catcher Mackenzie Van Winkle (Sr.), whose veteran presence behind the plate remains a cornerstone of our team. Offensively, the Cardinals will be a formidable force. The lineup is led by Karlie Jurasits who is closing in on her 100th career hit and the school’s career home run record, currently held by Mikenna Price (’23). Jurasits is accompanied by 2025 EPC All-Conference UTL player Brianne Smith, coming off a stellar sophomore season where she hit over .500 for the Cardinals. With a core of experienced seniors—including Lauren McLain (UTL) and Catherine Besecker (OF) alongside Jurasits and Van Winkle—this group is hungry to secure one more title before they graduate this June.

Pocono Mountain West(4-14)

Head Coach: Trent Cherence(1st year)

Key Losses: Sam Rider(Sr. injury)

Key Returners:

Julia MacPhee Sr.

Lily Rodriguez Sr.

Riley Evans Jr.

Cayleigh Keller Jr.

Chloe Straub Jr.

Kaylee Masotti So.

Key Newcomers:

Cora Gillette Fr.

Season Outlook: This is a team that has experience, toughness, and players who have been buying into the program. We have strong leadership, returning talent , and a group that is ready to start a new future with West softball Starting with a push for playoffs. Our goals are to compete every inning, play the game the right way, and push the program forward.

Stroudsburg(14-7)

Head Coach: Maynard Frantz

Key Losses: Izzy Molinaro, Elena Trotter, Melissa Safin 

Key Returners: Dot Elko, Kat Lavra, Madison Perez, Isabella Thomas, Jordyn Cook, Ava Fagan-Huse 

Key Newcomers: Morgan Callender, Madalyn Vargas, Ella Fagan-Huse 

Season Outlook: We are looking forward to leaning on our senior leadership and returning upperclassmen. We want to compete for an EPC and District title. 

William Allen(1-18)

Head Coach: Cara Morrell(1st year)

Key Losses: Ali Torales and Leeah Boose

Key Returners: Tiffany Lyons, Noelia Valerie, Brihanna German

Key Newcomers: Domeris Arias and Christele Tanis?. Both are sophomores with a lot of potential to help the canaries.

Season Outlook: We lost a experienced group of seniors but have so much potential with the young kids coming up. We expect to me competitive in more games this year.

Whitehall(14-7)

Head Coach: Jeff VivianKey Losses: Bella Muth 3B, Arianna Donlon OF, Nya Brown OF, Paige Tacker OF

Key Returners: Morgan Laub P, Josie Shultz SS, Molly McFetridge 2B, Amya Espinal C, Jules Muth 1B, Alyssa Dunbar OF

Key Newcomers: Jillian Pagan OF/P, Corynn Troxell 3B, Julia Schell 2B/3B, Evelyn Hudak OF, Ari Casey 2B, Audra Sommer C, 

Season Outlook: Replacing an entire outfield will not be easy. But returning the middle of the lineup and the battery of Laub and Espinal will provide a big help in letting some of the younger players develop. Shultz and Muth will anchor and give leadership to a young but very athletic infield. McFetrdige’s athletism will be on display moving between 2b and outfield. Dunbar will anchor an outfield which is expected to be a strong point of this season with a lot of competition.