Gwynedd Valley, Pa. – (3/1/2023) – "Our biggest challenge is learning how to finish," stated Head Coach David Hoch. "We left a lot of wins on the field last year. This year we're working on our R.E.P.S.; we REFLECT on our work to EVALUATE our PERSONAL SUCCESS. If we eliminate our mistakes, make ourselves better and make each other better, than that makes us better. And when we play better the game is a lot more fun!" The Gwynedd Mercy University softball team looks to improve upon a 5-25 overall record and a 3-9 league record that kept them out of the 2022 Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Championship Tournament. With four seniors, six juniors, and four sophomores on the roster, the Griffins will rely on their R.E.P.S. and a year of maturity to return them to postseason play.
   
Captaining the 2023 season are senior infielder Allison Ross (Philadelphia, Pa.), junior pitcher/infielders Ashley Focht (Harrisburg, Pa.) and Grace Scally (Philadelphia, Pa.), and sophomore catcher/outfield Kaylee Colantano (Clinton, N.J.). Scally was a 2022 All-AEC Second Team performer with a .333/.400/.458 (AVG/OBP/SLG) slash line that scored her seven times and knocked in 13 others. Meanwhile, Focht carried a .329/.376/.341 slash line that scored her 14 times and knocked in a dozen (12) runs.
 
Both joined fellow junior – and staff ace - Jocelyn Baumeister (Willow Grove, Pa.) in the circle last year. Baumeister finished 2022 with a 3-9 record and a staff-low 4.60 earned run average (ERA) over a staff-high 86.2 innings. She threw 11 complete games in 13 starts (15 appearances) and owned a 1.6 (79/49) strikeout/walk ratio. "Jocelyn and Ashley are our top two pitchers," identified Coach Hoch. "We are also expecting Ashley Haggerty (East Norriton, Pa.) and Grace (Scally) to step in for the occasional relief appearance. They are all juniors now and their maturity are vital to our ability to close out contests."
 
When they are not pitching, Baumeister, Focht, Haggerty, and Scally will join Ross, freshmen Camryn Kinney (East Stroudsburg, Pa.) and Hannah Smith (Levittown, Pa.), sophomores Carly Maw (Bensalem, Pa.) and Shannon McLaughlin (Haddon Heights, N.J.), junior Shylynn Cordero (Allentown, Pa.), and seniors Katelyn Barker (Newtown Square, Pa.) and Hannah McLaughlin (Stratford, N.J.) as infield options. "In addition to being out defensive leader, Cordero is our leadoff hitter. Her at-bats are extremely important for our offense," praised Coach Hoch. Like Scally, Cordero was a 2022 All-AEC Second Team performer. She played a majority of her innings at shortstop and led-off the Gwynedd Mercy University lineup with a .416/.464/.438 slash line that produced 16 runs scored and four runs-batted-in (RBI). She led the Griffins in batting average (AVG) (1^st, .416), at-bats (1^st, 89), hits (1^st, 37), total bases (1^st, 39), walks (T1^st, 7), hit-by-pitch (T1^st, 1), and on-base percentage (OBP) (1^st, .464). Her AVG (5^th, .416), hits (10^th, 37), and OBP (6^th, .464) ranked her among the AEC Top-10.
 
Kinney, both McLaughlin's, Colantano will take turns completing the Gwynedd Mercy University battery. Colantano (6 games played, 11 at-bats) and Hannah McLaughlin (8, 13) got the most opportunities behind the plate in 2022 and Coach Hoch expects the same in 2023. "Hannah and Kaylee are working hard with our pitching staff. We need them to be on the same page to keep our defense disciplined and focused."
 
Coach Hoch went on to identify senior Emma Carney (Plymouth Meeting, Pa.) as the Griffins' outfield leader. "Emma is a great fielder and her play will be an example for our young outfield talent." The young outfield talent Coach Hoch refers to includes junior Ava Casale (Sewell, N.J.), sophomore Ally McDaid (Maple Glen, Pa.), freshman Kiersten Reeser (Warminster, Pa.), and Maw. Casale provides the lineup with a quality left-handed bat, while McDaid is speedster that will see plenty of time in the corners and on the base paths.
 
"This is a great team," endorsed Coach Hoch. "From the freshmen to the seniors, they play for each other and that's important to success. If you're willing to do the hard work, be "on the mile", and get in your R.E.P.S., than wins won't be far behind.
 
Gwynedd Mercy University opens their 2023 season on March 5 (11:00 a.m.), when they square off against Bridgewater State University in their first competition at the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic.