Gwynedd Valley, Pa. – (2/25/2026) – "This season presents a lot of opportunity for growth within our program," opened Gwynedd Mercy University Head Softball Coach David Hoch. "We're looking for some leadership from our returning juniors and senior, we have a lot of enthusiasm from our newcomers, and as a whole, we are eager to face the challenges that lie ahead."  
 
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.). Smith, Carney, Hellyer, and junior second baseman/first baseman Cailin Via (West Deptford, N.J.) serves as captains for the upcoming season.
 
"We lost some big-time, program players," acknowledged Coach Hoch. "They were key contributors, leaders, and anchors; their experience and consistency helped us produce on the field." He continued, "Grace, Maya, Cailin, and the Hannahs are a solid core to lead us this year. They foster a hungry and competitive vibe within our dugout. The incoming class brings athleticism and adaptability. They are willing to do what it takes to make us successful this season."

After the departure of Baumeister, Carney takes over as Gwynedd Mercy University's ace in 2026; she made eight starts and recorded a career-high 47.0 innings pitched in 2025. Gwynedd Mercy University's depth of pitching also include a bounty of freshmen; Lexie Kurth (Baldwin, Md.), Sierra Miller (Telford, Pa.), Rylie O'Toole (Southampton, Pa.), Mckenzie Price (Hatfield, Pa.), and Gianna Trerotola (Blue Bell, Pa.). Price is rostered as the Griffins only fulltime pitcher, but the depth will surely give Coach Hoch plenty of arms to choose from this spring.
 
To continue around the diamond, the 2026 catching depth chart includes Hellyer, sophomore Makayla Mihelcic (Souderton, Pa.) and freshmen Ashley Merz (Bensalem, Pa.). Hellyer improved in every category during her sophomore season, including career-highs in batting average (.228, 13-of-57), runs (9), hits (13), doubles (1), runs-batted-in (RBI) (8), slugging percentage (.246), walks (4), strikeouts (6), and on base percentage (.313). Meanwhile, Mihelcic provided the pop with a pair of home runs during her freshman campaign.
 
At first base, the Red and Gold depth includes juniors Kassidy Kehoe (Lansdale, Pa.), Bucks County Community College transfer Jess Kepner (Pipersville, Pa.), and Via, as well as sophomore Nylah Beauchamps (Philadelphia, Pa.), and O'Toole. Following her transfer from Elizabethtown College, Kehoe made 20 starts for the Griffins in 2025; she finished the season with a .232 (13-of-56)/.259/.268 slash line that produced nine runs and five RBI.
 
Kepner and Via will also see time at second base as the Griffins are searching for a replacement for their missing two-time All-AEC Second Teamer, Schwartz. Coach Hoch may also look to freshman Macey Harrold (West Deptford, N.J.) to cover the bag this season.
 
Smith captains the Gwynedd Mercy University from shortstop. She finished 2025 with a .333 (35-for-105)/.379/.457 slash line that produced career-highs in hits (35), runs (35), doubles (6), and RBI (18). The left side of the infield was patrolled by Cohen in 2025; the Hood College transfer fit nicely in the middle of the lineup with 19 runs and 29 RBI on a .408 (42-of-103)/.417/.602 slash line. Behind Cohen, Kehoe and Hellyer also have experience at the hot corner.
 
The Red and Gold's outfield depth includes seven freshmen; Nya Brown (Whitehall, Pa.), Giavanna Kanaris (New Egypt, N.J.), Kurth, Stephanie Jones (Hatboro, Pa.), Miller, and Trerotola. Each will get a chance to prove themselves during the course of the season.
 
 "Attitude, effort, and accountability. That is our culture," touted Coach Hoch. "Our goal for the upcoming season is to compete consistently. We want to turn close plays into outs, close games into wins, and return to the AEC postseason."
 
The 2026 Gwynedd Mercy University softball season begins on Thursday, March 5, when they visit Rutgers-Camden for a 3:00 p.m. doubleheader.