Gwynedd Valley, Pa. – (6/9/2026) – Gwynedd Mercy University finished their 2026 season – eighth under Head Coach David Hoch – with a 9-26 overall record and a 3-9 Atlantic East Conference (AEC) standing thanks to league wins over Centenary University (N.J.) (W, 5-1 on Mar. 27), Neumann University (W, 4-2 on Apr. 8), and Saint Elizabeth University (W, 11-2 (5) on Apr. 11). Junior captain, catcher/third baseman Maya Hellyer (Quakertown, Pa.) earned All-AEC Second Team honors, while junior utility Hannah Cohen (North Wales, Pa.) and senior shortstop Hannah Smith (Levittown, Pa.) both surpassed 100 career hits.
 
Inclement weather delayed the opening day until Gwynedd Mercy University's arrival at the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic. There, the Griffins endured losses to United States Coast Guard Academy (L, 0-10 (6) on Mar. 9), Penn State Altoona (L, 5-13 (5) on Mar. 9), and Spartanburg Methodist College (L, 0-11 (5) on Mar. 10), before celebrating a 17-4 (5) victory over Martin Luther College (Mar. 10). The heart of the Red and Gold lineup was 7-for-9 with eight runs scored and eight runs-batted-in (RBI) in the contest, including a three-hit day (3-for-3) from Hellyer.
 
The very next day, the Red and Gold split their scheduled contests with a 6-1 win over New Jersey City University (NJCU) (Mar. 11) and a 2-1 loss to Thiel College (Mar. 11). In the victory over the Gothic Knights, freshman second baseman Macey Harrold (West Deptford, N.J.) singled through the left side in the top of the first inning before a fielder's choice and a Cohen triple to center field brought home the first Gwynedd Mercy University run; 1-0. A Harrold triple helped score another Red and Gold run in the third inning as she blasted a ball to left center before scampering home on a Smith sacrifice fly; 2-0. Freshman center fielder Nya Brown (Whitehall, Pa.) led off the fifth with her homer to right field; 3-0, and afterwards an error, a walk, a single from Smith (4-0), and a Merz triple to left center plated two more; 6-0. Freshman Mckenzie Price (Hatfield, Pa.) earned her first collegiate win (1-1) with three strikeouts over seven innings of "scoreless" work; 7.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K.
 
The Griffins' stay at the North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex concluded with losses to Lycoming College (L, 5-7 on Mar. 12) and Vermont State University Castleton (L, 8-12 on Mar. 12), as well as an exit-win over Cairn University (W, 15-9 on Mar. 13). Gwynedd Mercy University put four runs on the scoreboard in the first (4-0) and fourth (9-5) innings, before plating six runs in the fifth to finally vanquish the Highlanders. Several Griffins recorded multiple hits, but most noteworthy was a 3-for-4 performance from Kehoe that included a three-run blast in the first inning (4-0) and a two-run single in the fifth inning (13-9). Price was again the benefactor, earning her third win (3-1) in relief.
 
Smith was recognized for her play at the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic with AEC Softball Weekly Honor Roll (Mar. 16) selection. The Red and Gold captain was 11-for-29 (.379) on the spring trip with four walks, a stolen base, 11 runs, and nine RBI over the nine-game stretch.
 
Following their return home, Gwynedd Mercy University lost to Haverford College (L, 1-11 (5) and L, 0-8 on Mar. 19) and Marymount University (L, 1-11 (5) and L, 6-8 on Mar. 21) prior to enjoying a sweep of Albright College (Mar. 25); 10-8 and 4-3 (6). Hot off a March 23, AEC Weekly Honor Roll appearance, Cohen joined Smith for their 100^th collegiate hits; the former's first-inning, two-run triple to right field marked her century hit (2-0); she (2-for-3) and freshman right fielder Giavanna Kanaris (New Egypt, N.J.) (2-for-2) were the only two Griffins to record multiple hits in the opener. Freshman Rylie O'Toole (Southampton, Pa.) earned her first collegiate win (1-3) with 3.1 innings of quality relief; she struck out two while allowing two runs on six hits and a walk. Smith was 3-for-3 in game two; her century hit came with her third-inning single through the box. In their final at-bat of the afternoon, six consecutive singles kept the Griffins moving around diamond; freshman third baseman Ashlyn Merz (Bensalem, Pa.) (3-1), Hellyer (Quakertown, Pa.) (3-3), and junior center fielder Sierra Miller (Telford, Pa.) (4-3) plated the runs necessary for the heist of game two.
 
Gwynedd Mercy University added another win before the end of the historic week as they split their AEC twin bill with a 5-1, game-two victory over Centenary University (N.J.) (Mar. 27). After losing game one by a 7-3 margin, the Griffins won game two behind a brilliant performance from O'Toole; she earned her second win (2-3) of the season by holding the Cyclones to an unearned run on two hits. A fourth-inning sacrifice fly from junior designated player Jess Kepner (Pipersville, Pa.) (1-0) and four fifth-inning scores provided the offense needed for a 5-1 victory. O'Toole was recognized with an AEC Weekly Honor Roll (Mar. 30) mention for her performance in the circle.
 
The Red and Gold next win came soon after as the Griffins split the following Tuesday doubleheader with Penn State Schyulkill (W, 11-8 and L, 8-9 on Mar. 31). The top of the lineup - Kehoe (3-for-5) and Harrold (2-for-4, BB) - set the table for Hellyer (1-for-4, 3 RBI) and several others as the Griffins defeated the Nittany Lions by an 11-8 measure. The first was recognized on the AEC Weekly Honor Roll (Apr. 6) after going 3-for-5 with three runs scored and an RBI.
 
Inclement weather delayed the first scheduled April date and Gwynedd Mercy University tolerated losses to Penn State Harrisburg (L, 5-14 (5) and L, 3-12 (5) on Apr. 6) before splitting a reschedule doubleheader with AEC rival, Neumann University (L, 4-8 and W, 4-2 on Apr. 8). Cohen was 2-for-4 with three RBI in the opener, while four early Red and Gold runs and a strong pitching duet from O'Toole and fellow freshman Rylie Fitzsimmons (Philadelphia, Pa.) paved the way for a 4-2 win in game two. Cohen was 3-for-7 with a run and four RBI between the two games.
 
The busy week concluded with a pair of losses to Penn State Brandywine (L, 1-6 and L, 1-17 (5) on Apr. 9) and an AEC, Senior-Day split with Saint Elizabeth University (W, 11-2 (5) and L, 3-6 on Apr. 11). Brown went 4-for-4 with a walk, three runs, and four RBI in the Eagles' twin bill; she and Fitzsimmons garnered AEC Weekly Honor Roll (Apr. 13) recognition for their roles in the Griffins' 2-6 week.
 
Unfortunately, Gwynedd Mercy University's game-one win over Saint Elizabeth University was their final victory of 2026 as the season concluded with doubleheader losses to Eastern University (L, 0-8 (5) and L, 4-13 (5) on Apr. 15), Immaculata University (L, 10-11 (8) and L, 3-12 (6) on Apr. 18), Penn State Abington (L, 3-5 and L, 4-7 on Apr. 23), and Marywood University (L, 2-10 (6) and L, 12-13 on Apr. 27). Cohen highlighted the final stretch with an AEC Weekly Honor Roll (Apr. 27) appearance. The Griffins' third baseman went 6-for-7 (.857) with a run and two RBI against the Nittany Lions; she homered in the first game and plated a run in game two with a first-inning single.
 
Cohen (35 games played – 32 games started) was one of the top offensive threats in the AEC as she anchored the Red and Gold lineup with a 1.164 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS). She scored 18 runs and knocked in 35 with 23 singles, 11 doubles, six triples, and two home runs (71 total bases). Cohen drew four walks, was hit three times, and struck out 10 times. She also stole three bases (3-for-4, .750 SB%) while covering the hot corner with an .895 (43PO+76A/43PO+76A+14E) fielding percentage (FLD%).
 
Hellyer (29gp-24gs) scored 10 runs and knocked in 11 with 25 singles. She supported her captaincy with a .342 (25-of-73)/.407/.342 (AVG/OBP/SLG) slash line while drawing six walks, being hit twice, and only striking out twice. Defensively, she was solid behind the plate with a .953 fielding percentage (FLD%) (36PO+5A/36PO+5A+2E); Hellyer threw out two base stealers in 30 attempts and allowed just two passed balls.
 
Smith (34gp-32gs) tied the Red and Gold's single-season mark for triples as she totaled 59 bases in all with 30 singles, two doubles, a home run, and her seven triples. The result was a team-high 27 runs and 28 RBI on a .377 (40-for-106)/.419/.557 slash line. She drew nine walks and struck out 14 times while stealing a team-high seven bases (7-for-9, .778).
 
Kehoe (27gp-22gs) provided a quality lead-off option for the Griffins with a .400 (30-for-75)/.464/.533 slash line, nine walks, and five stolen bases (5-for-5, 1.000) that produced 24 runs and 14 RBI. Harrold (34gp-31gs) was a nice complementary bat at the top of the lineup with a .337 (32-for-95)/.418/.453 slash, a dozen (12) walks, a couple (2) beanballs, and five stolen bases (5-for-6, .833) of her own that manufactured 25 runs and 16 RBI.

Brown's (27gp-21gs) debut season was a pleasant surprise as the late roster add totaled eight runs and 13 RBI with a .293 (17-for-58)/.364/.483 slash, five walks, a couple beanballs, and three stolen bases (3-for-3, 1.000).
 
Gwynedd Mercy University's nine wins were split between freshman Lexie Kurth (Baldwin, Md.) (2-4), O'Toole (2-7), Price (2-8), and Fitzsimmons (3-2). The last led the staff in wins (3), but O'Toole headlined in earned run average (ERA) (5.63), innings pitched (IP) (59.2), complete games (2), and strikeouts (25).