Gwynedd Valley, Pa. – (1/30/2026) – A little more than a month from now, on Thursday, March 5, the Gwynedd Mercy University softball team opens their 2026 season with a 3:00 p.m. doubleheader at Rutgers-Camden. "We're excited and ready to take on the challenges of our 2026 schedule," said Head Coach
David Hoch. "This lineup of opponents will push us to compete at a high level every time we step on the field. Each game is an opportunity for growth and this schedule sets the tone for a season focused on toughness, teamwork, and preparation for AEC (Atlantic East Conference) play."
Gwynedd Mercy University produced a 5-5 AEC record within their 12-25 overall finish to the 2025 season, but failed to make the league's championship tournament for the first time since 2022. Still, the year was a memorable one with fifth-years, pitcher/second baseman
Jocelyn Baumeister (Willow Grove, Pa.) and utility
Shylynn Cordero (Allentown, Pa.) etching their names further into the Griffin record books. They were joined on the All-AEC Softball Team by sophomore middle infielder
Avery Schwartz (Collegeville, Pa.); Baumeister garnered All-AEC First Team honors, while the other two received All-AEC Second Team recognition. With all three moving on from the Red and Gold, Coach Hoch and his staff turn the direction of the program over to senior shortstop
Hannah Smith (Levittown, Pa.) and a solid crop of juniors; pitcher/first baseman
Grace Carney (Plymouth Meeting, Pa.), catcher/third baseman
Maya Hellyer (Quakertown, Pa.), utility
Hannah Cohen (North Wales, Pa.).
Gwynedd Mercy University and Rutgers-Camden split their 2025 doubleheader as the Red and Gold used timely hits, heart, and hustle to win game one; 6-5, but failed to complete the sweep with the Scarlet Raptors winning game two, 5-2. Rutgers-Camden finished the season 5-30 overall and 3-15 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC); all-time, the Griffins are 3-9 versus the Scarlet Raptors.
After the season opener, Gwynedd Mercy University departs for their annual trip to North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex for the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic. The Griffins week-long stay includes first-time meetings with the United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) (Mar. 9, 9:00 a.m.), Spartanburg Methodist College (Mar. 10, 9:00 a.m.), and Martin Luther College (Mar. 10, 11:00 a.m.), as well as reunions with New Jersey City University (NJCU) (Mar. 11, 9:00 a.m.), Theil College (Mar. 11, 1:00 p.m.), and Lycoming College (Mar. 12, 9:00 a.m.), and revenge games versus Penn State Altoona (Mar. 9, 1:00 p.m.) and Vermont State University – Castleton (Mar. 12, 1:00 p.m.).
The USCGA Bears were 16-20-1 overall in 2025 with a 9-11 standing in the New Men's and Women's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC). The Knights were 3-29 overall and 1-17 in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC), while the Pioneers were 23-17 overall and 3-5 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC).
Rekindling old rivalries, Gwynedd Mercy University last played the Gothic Knights in 2023 (W, 17-3 on Mar. 7), the Bobcats in 2022 (L, 0-8 (6) Mar. 8), and the Warriors in 2016 (L, 6-10 on Mar. 10). NJCU finished 2025 with a 17-21 overall record and a 2-16 standing in the NJAC; they are 1-0 all-time versus the Griffins. Theil College was 18-18 overall and 10-10 in the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC); they hold serve in the all-time series with the 2022 win. And, Lycoming College was 13-16 overall and 4-12 in the Landmark Conference; the Griffins are 3-0 all-time against the Warriors.
Cohen was 2-for-2 in Gwynedd Mercy University's 2025 Spring Trip meeting with the Altoona Nittany Lions; it was their first engagement with these Nittany Lions. Unfortunately, the Griffins only recorded four hits in an 8-0, five-inning shutout. Penn State finished 2025 with a 22-16 overall record and a 10-6 standing in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC).
Sophomore first baseman
Nylah Beauchamps (Philadelphia, Pa.) was one of three Griffins to record a hit in Gwynedd Mercy University's 2025 meeting with the Castleton Spartans. But again, the Griffins offense was kept quiet in a 7-0 conclusion. Vermont State finished the season 17-15 overall and 6-10 in the Little East Conference (LEC).
A return North does not mean a return home for the Red and Gold as they visit Haverford College for a 3:00 p.m. doubleheader on March 19. In 2025 (Mar. 20), the Griffins found themselves in a 5-0, first-inning hole and fell too far behind in the fifth inning as the Fords secured their first win early; 13-2. A second-inning solo blast from freshman catcher
Makayla Mihelcic (Souderton, Pa.) got the Red and Gold on the scoreboard first in game two; 1-0, but four Fords scored in the fifth inning, 4-1, and two more in the seventh inning for a 6-1 final. Senior outfielder
Ally McDaid (Maple Glen, Pa.) was 3-for-5 on the afternoon with a run and a run-batted-in (RBI) in a 2-for-2 opener. Mihelcic's homer was the first of her collegiate career and the first ever at the Genuardi Legends Softball Field. Haverford College finished 2025 with a 16-20 overall record and a 4-12 standing in the Centennial Conference; all-time, the Griffins are 3-5 against the Fords.
AEC play begins on March 21 with a 12:00 p.m. doubleheader versus Marymount University; the twin bill will also serve as the Griffins' 2026 home opener. The 2025 meeting went in the Saints' favor as they took the opener 8-2 and the nightcap 17-3, in five innings. Senior first baseman
Shannon McLaughlin (Haddon Heights, N.J.) grounded out to second to score Hellyer in the fourth inning (7-1) and Smith hit a solo shot in the fifth to account for the Red and Gold runs in game one, while Gwynedd Mercy University scored game-two tallies with a second-inning sacrifice fly from freshman outfielder
Chloe Heckman (Bethel, Pa.) (4-1), a Saint error on a fourth-inning, Mihelcic grounder (11-2), and a Hellyer ground out to third base in the fifth (17-3). Carney started both games for the Griffins; she took the loss (0-4) in both affairs, splitting eight earned runs between them. Marymount University finished 2025 with a 17-25 overall record and a 7-3 standing in the AEC; all-time, the Griffins are 3-6 against the Saints.
On March 23, Gwynedd Mercy University welcomes Penn State Berks to Frank O. Genuardi Legends Softball Field for a 3:00 p.m. doubleheader. The Berks Nittany Lions took both game of the 2025 (Mar. 22) twin bill; 3-0 and 4-3. Game one was a struggle for the Red and Gold's offense as the team only registered three hits in the 3-0 defeat. Baumeister was dealing from the circle, pitching a complete game (6 innings) and only allowing two earned runs on three hits and striking out five in the loss (2-5). Gwynedd Mercy University scored two runs in the first inning of game two, but it was not enough to spoil Penn State's sweep; 4-3. The Nittany Lions finished 2025 with a 25-9 overall record and a perfect, 16-0 standing in the United East Conference; the Griffins are 3-5 all-time against them.
Two day later, on March 25, Gwynedd Mercy University hosts Albright College for a 3:00 p.m. twin bill. The Red and Gold swept the Lions in 2025 (Mar. 25) with a 4-2 game-one victory and a 7-5 win in game two. Senior pitcher
Emily Murphy (Philadelphia, Pa.) pitched a game-one gem to earn her second win (2-10) of the season; she allowed one earned run on seven hits and a walk, while striking one over six innings. In game two, Carney earned her first win (1-4) of the season, pitching five innings, allowing seven hits, one earned run, and striking out one. Baumeister collected the save (3) in each affair. Albright College finished the season with a 4-32 overall record and a 0-14 standing in the MAC Commonwealth; all-time, the Griffins are 4-2 against the Lions.
Gwynedd Mercy University's second AEC doubleheader is scheduled for March 28, when the Griffins visit Centenary University (NJ) for a 12:00 p.m. doubleheader. In 2025 (Mar. 28), the Griffins lit the scoreboard up for eight runs in the third inning of game one, (10-4). They added three more in the fifth inning (13-6), providing Murphy and Baumeister plenty of headway to pick up their first win (1-8) and save (1) of the season, respectively. In game two, the Griffins used a triple from Cohen (2-2) and a sacrifice fly from senior right fielder
Carly Maw (Bensalem, Pa.) to gain a 3-2 lead, before adding four insurance runs in the fifth inning (7-2) and two more in the sixth inning of a 9-2 final. Baumeister earned the win (6-5) as she kept the Cyclones off track as she allowed one earned run on five hits, while striking out seven. Centenary University finished the season 5-23 overall and 1-9 in the AEC; they Griffins are 16-19 all-time versus the Cyclones.
March ends with a 3:00 p.m. non-conference doubleheader at Penn State Schuylkill (Mar. 31). The Griffins 2025 doubleheader with these Nittany Lions was cancelled, but in 2024 Apr. 22), they split their first-ever meeting as Murphy pitched a gem in a 3-0 game one (W, 7.0 IP, 4H, 1BB, 6K) shutout. Penn State Schuylkill finished 2025 with a 21-19 overall record and a 12-2 standing in the PSUAC.
The Red and Gold resumes AEC play on April 2 with a 3:00 p.m. doubleheader at Neumann University. Gwynedd Mercy University split with the Knights in 2025 (Apr. 27), winning game one of the Senior Day twin bill with a three-run walk-off double from Schwartz. Unfortunately, the Griffins lost the second game, 9-5, when the Knights plated seven runs in their final at-bat of the afternoon. Neumann University finished 2025 with a 11-32 overall record and a 5-5 standing in the AEC; all-time, the Griffins are 21-38 versus the Knights.
On April 6, the Red and Gold travels to Penn State Harrisburg for a 3:00 p.m. doubleheader. Another 2025 (Apr. 24) split saw Schwartz force an eighth inning in game one with her seventh-inning triple to right field (5-5) and Baumeister dominate in game two with one run allowed and eight strikeouts from the circle and a 3-for-4, four runs-batted-in (RBI) performance at the plate that ended the contest early. Penn State Harrisburg won game one; 9-5 (8), but Gwynedd Mercy University concluded the doubleheader in celebration with a 9-1 (6) win in game two. These Nittany Lions finished 2025 with a 28-13 overall record and a 13-3 standing in the United East Conference; all-time, the Griffins are 1-5 against them.
Another pride of Nittany Lions will visit Genuardi Legends Softball Field on April 9 as Gwynedd Mercy University continues a busy month with a 3:00 p.m. doubleheader versus Penn State Brandywine. They were the Griffins' first opponent after their 2025 (Mar. 18) Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic trip and they swept the twin bill with one-run victories at both ends; 5-4 and 3-2. Cohen knocked in a run in both contests, while Baumeister brought home a pair in game one and struck out 10 in game two. Penn State Brandywine finished the season with a 35-8 overall record and a 14-2 standing in the United East Conference; all-time, the Griffins are 2-2 versus these Nittany Lions.
The Red and Gold's home stand continues with doubleheader against AEC newcomer, Saint Elizabeth University (Apr. 11, 12:00 p.m. (DH)) and local National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II member, Chestnut Hill College (Apr. 13, 3:00 p.m. (DH)). The Eagles were 20-20 overall and 10-6 in the United East Conference; the Griffins only previous meeting with them was on their 2022 (L, 1-3 on Mar. 7) spring trip.
Meanwhile, the Red and Gold will look for revenge against their fellow Griffins as Chestnut Hill College prevailed in both games of the 2025 (Apr. 29) doubleheader; 12-11 (8 innings) and 11-10. Baumeister was 2-for-5 with a run and three RBI with big hits in the first and sixth innings of game one. She also pitched (L, 9-8; 7.0 IP, 12 H, 11 R, 7 ER, 1BB, 5K) and went 3-for-5 with two RBI in game two. RBI singles in the first and third innings, a two-run double in the sixth, and a sacrifice fly in the seventh totaled two runs and six RBI for Cohen (3-for-4). Gwynedd Mercy University also saw a four-hit game (4-for-5) from Smith, who doubled in the third, singled to short in the fifth, singled to third in the sixth, and singled to center in the seventh. Chestnut Hill College finished the season with a 16-28-1 overall record and a 7-15 standing in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference; all-time, the Red and Gold is 3-2 versus the Griffin counterparts.
Gwynedd Mercy University breaks up a home-heavy April with a 3:00 p.m. doubleheader at Eastern University on the 15
th. Again, the Griffins will look to avenge a 2025 (Apr. 15) sweep that saw the Eagles finish on top finals of 11-2 (6) and 4-0. Between the two contests, Schwartz (3-for-6), Cohen (3-for-6), and Baumeister (3-for-5) recorded three hits apiece. Eastern University finished the season with a 31-11 overall record and a 12-2 standing in the MAC Commonwealth; all-time, the Griffins are 13-10 versus the Eagles.
A return to Genuardi Legends Softball Field brings Immaculata University to campus for a 12:00 p.m. doubleheader on April 18. In 2025 (Apr. 17), The Mighty Macs doubled-up the Griffins in game one; 10-5, but an early three-run double from Cordero gave Baumeister enough headway to carry the Red and Gold to a 6-3 victory in game two. Cordero went 4-for-6 with two walks, two runs, and five RBI, while Baumeister recorded the 300th strikeout of her collegiate career with the second batter of the Mighty Macs' first at-bat. Immaculata University was 16-22 overall and 5-5 in the AEC; the Griffins are 28-30 against them all-time.
The final week of the 2026 schedule brings Penn State Abington (Apr. 23, 3:00 p.m. (DH)) to Genuardi Legends Softball Field, before sending the Griffins to Marywood University (Apr. 25, 12:00 p.m. (DH)) for their AEC finale. Seven innings were not enough in game one of the 2025 (Mar. 26) meeting as a clutch Hellyer RBI gave the Red and Gold a 5-4 victory in eighth inning. In contrast, game two was stopped early due to darkness with late runs pushing the contest in the Nittany Lions' favor; 6-4 (6). Penn State Abington finished 2025 with a 15-24 overall record and a 9-7 standing in the United East Conference; all-time, the Griffins are 4-2 against these Nittany Lions.
After coming up just short in game one; 6-3, game two of Gwynedd Mercy University's 2025 (Mar. 29) meeting between with AEC rival, Marywood University featured a four-run seventh and an 8-7 walkoff; a Cordero walk, singles from Schwartz and Smith, and a pair of Pacer errors brought about the Red and Gold celebration. Marywood University finished 2025 with a 19-19 overall record and a 7-3 standing in the AEC; the Griffins are 28-26 all-time versus the Pacers.
The 2026 AEC Softball Championship is scheduled for the home of the highest remaining seed on Sunday, May 3, with postseason pod play scheduled to begin on Saturday, May 2.
