2020 NEAC Softball Season Preview

LATHAM, N.Y. – With the majority of teams set to begin the 2020 season this weekend, twelve softball teams are preparing to compete for a North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) crown. 

Following the conclusion of the regular season, the top three teams in each division will advance to the NEAC Tournament where the conference champion will receive an automatic berth to the 2020 NCAA Division III Softball Tournament.

In the opening round of the NEAC Tournament, the No. 2 seed in each division will host the No. 3 seeds on April 28 with the winners playing in the Final Four at the tournament host from May 1-3. The Express opens its season in South Carolina on March 8.

Full schedule: https://www.wells-express.com/sports/sball/2019-20/schedule

Wells College

Head Coach: Taylor Policay, First Season

2019 Record: 2-22, 1-13 NEAC

2019 Postseason: None

Key Returners/Players to Watch: Naomi Kubo (Sr., C/2B), Jenna Devora (Jr., 1B/3B, All-Conference Second Team), Jessica Conover (Sr., P/1B), Olivia Maish (Fr., OF) and Hailie Bennett (Fr., P/INF)

Key Losses: Lizzie Monnat

Coach's Outlook: "Along with returning our top two hitters, we have a strong freshmen class that should help us be competitors in the NEAC."

Cazenovia College

Head Coach: Chris Comino, Seventh Season

2019 Record: 13-15, 7-9 NEAC

2019 Postseason: None

Key Returners/Players to Watch: Caitlin Kelleher (So., C/INF, First Team All-Conference, NEAC Rookie of the Year), Hannah Croteau (Sr., OF, Second Team All-Conference), Megan Krieger (Jr., INF, Third Team All-Conference), Julia DePietro, Lauren Kelleher, and Serafina French.

Key Losses: McKenzie Harris and Laura Matekovic.

Coach's Outlook: The Wildcats return a strong group that will look to improve off of last year's success to help them get back to the NEAC Playoffs. Cazenovia will also lean on a few newcomers in some very important positions to help fill their holes.

Gallaudet University

Head Coach: Justen Burns, Fourth season

2019 Record: 12-20, 4-14 NEAC

2019 Postseason: None

Key Returners/Players to Watch: Kendall Hudson (So., 2B/SS - .371 BA, 36 hits, 30 runs, 16 SBs, 4 triples), Kate Lorenzo (So., OF - .215 BA, 14 hits, 10 runs), Emma Giuntoli (So., C/OF/P - .357 BA, 10 hits, 6 runs, 5 SBs), Kaitlyn Ruble (Fr.), Christina Elsbury (Fr.).

Key Losses: Hannah Neild (SS/P - All-NEAC 2nd Team, CoSIDA Academic All-America Third Team, .474 BA, 2 HRs, 24 RBI), Jacklyn Zacarias (P/1B - All-NEAC 3rd Team, 8-10 pitching record, 88 Ks in 103.2 IP, .349 BA, 21 RBI), Sabina Shysh (OF - .333 BA, 14 hits, 12 runs, 11 SBs).

Coach's Outlook: "We have high expectations for this season. I believe our team is committed to accomplishing in different ways. We have a young, but talented team, balanced with six returning and 14 new athletes. Our team is excited to get started this season."

Keuka College

Head Coach: Jamie Burke, 15th Season

2019 Record: 14-21, 8-8

2019 Postseason: 1-2, Beat SUNY Poly in the play-in game and lost to Penn State Berks and SUNY Cobleskill in the NEAC First Round.

Key Returners/Players to Watch: Jessie Hammers (Sr., SS, NEAC Player of the Year, All-Conference First Team, Whitney Tyler (Jr. P, All-Conference Second Team), Brittany Vergason (Sr., 3B/C, All-Conference Third Team, Colleen Mooney/Bella Willsey, Kelsey Mohl.

Key Losses: Janessa Vaadi.

Coach's Outlook: "I am looking for a lot of positive things to happen with this year's team. We have a lot of experience and talent from the returners, led by senior Jessie Hammers. I am excited to see what this year's freshman class will add to the program."

Lancaster Bible

Head Coach: Jen Weitzel, Second Season

2019 Record: 11-23, 5-13 NEAC

2019 Postseason: None

Key Returners/Players to Watch: Nicole DeKok (Jr., P/INF, 39 hits, 18 runs, 23 RBI, 12 2B, .368, All-Conference Second Team), Martina McCauley (Sr., P/INF, 28 hits, 24 runs, 12 RBI, 7 2B, .277).

Key Losses: Zoie Senn (INF, 33 hits, 26 runs, 18 RBI, 7 2B, .324), Morgan Burkholder (3B/1B...28 hits, 14 runs, 14 RB, 6 2B, .269).

Coach's Outlook: "The Chargers have a young squad, but welcome back Nicole DeKok and Martina McCauley who each did well at the plate and in the circle last season for Lancaster Bible. The team will look to get early production from the returners, while the new players will look to catch on early as well, and provide solid contributions."

Morrisville State

Head Coach: Brittany Stroop, 5th Season

2019 Record: 1-29, 1-13 NEAC

2019 Postseason: None

Key Returners/Players to Watch: Chyne Kennedy (Jr., P/Utility), Kellina Murphy (So., P/INF), Jess Burlew (Fr., OF)

Key Losses: Emily Vesely, Ciara Sprague (All-Conference Second Team).

Coach's Outlook: "The Mustangs added depth to their pitching staff this year with first-year players MacKenzie Braun and Caitlin McCutchan. With the departure of Emily Vesely, catching duties will fall on new additions Brookelyn Hanley and Maddy Clark. The team is young and our success will depend on how quickly our first years can adjust to the college game. We are looking for big years from junior pitcher/shortstop Chyne Kennedy and sophomore pitcher/infielder Kellina Murphy. Offensively, Kennedy, Murphy, sophomore Skyler Girard, and first years Braun, McCutchan, Hanley, Makayla Lawrence and Toni Baker will add pop and speed to our lineup."

Penn College

Head Coach: Angie Hunley, First Season

2019 Record: 24-15, 13-5 NEAC

2019 Postseason: 3-2, NEAC Championship Tournament Runner Up

Key Returners/Players to Watch: Morgan Heritage (Jr., P, 11-7 record, 1.89 ERA, 144 Ks, 122 innings pitched, All-Conference First Team), Shayla Bickel (So., OF,.377 batting avg), Olivia Hemstock (So., 2B, .311 batting avg), Maddie Hurst (Fr., SS and offers tremendous speed), Mikayla Aldenderfer (So., Transfer P from Lycoming College, looking to earn significant innings on the mound to compliment Heritage).

Key Losses: Kylie Shreiner (C/Utility, All-Conference First Team) and Taylor Brooks (OF, All-Conference Third Team).

Coach's Outlook: "We are looking to be strong contenders in the NEAC and look to get another chance to compete for the conference championship."

Penn State Abington

Head Coach: Caytlin Friis, Third Season

2019 Record: 16-22, 11-7 NEAC

2019 Postseason: NEAC First Round

Key Returners/Players to Watch: Steph Andreoli (Jr., P, All-Conference Second Team), Akia Marshall (So., C/INF), Jackie McMenamin (Jr., INF), Mary Kate Smith (So., Utility).

Key Losses: Rebecca Dougherty (P, All-Conference First Team).

Coach's Outlook: "We are excited to add pitching standout Becca Dougherty to our coaching staff this season. We have a group of young players this year, including a talented freshmen class with five new faces. Our team has been putting in the work, both in the classroom and on the field, and I am excited to see what this year has in store for us."

Penn State Berks

Head Coach: Donna Ference,7th Season

2019 Record: 32-10, 18-0 NEAC

2019 Postseason: NEAC Champions, 1-2 at NCAA Regional Tournament (Defeated Brandeis 5-2, Lost to Ithaca 3-2 and Brandeis 2-0)

Key Returners/Players to Watch: Key Returners: Bri Smith (Jr., 1B/C, All-Conference First Team), Hunter Hart (Jr., OF, All-Conference Second Team), Maddy Davidson (So., OF, All-Conference Third Team), Cori Dickinson (Jr., OF, All-Conference Third Team), Nikki Wild (Sr., C); Players to Watch: Briana Smith (Fr., P/INF), Susan Duncan (So., SS/OF)

Key Losses: Jess Rozick (P, NEAC Pitcher of the Year, All-Conference First Team), Becca Faust (2B), Val Miller (P, All-Conference First Team), Heather Rissell (OF), Mackie Caffrey (SS)

Coach's Outlook: "After graduating five experienced starters, we find ourselves in a bit of a rebuilding mode this season. We will look for our returning starters to continue to play at a high level. The reserves from last season and our newcomers will need to step up and fill in this spring. Our goal is to make the postseason tournament and compete for the NEAC title."

Penn State Harrisburg

Head Coach: Mandi Baer, 1st Season

2019 Record: 12-20, 1-11 in the Capital Athletic Conference (return to NEAC this season)

2019 Postseason: None

Key Returners/Players to Watch: Dominique Emmett (Sr., C/INF), Kaylee DeMatteo (Jr., 3B/P), Sarah Coolbaugh (Sr., INF), Delaney Nevius (Jr., OF/C), Madelyn Pyle (Jr., INF/OF)

Key Losses: Allison Hartman (CAC All-Conference Second Team)

Coach's Outlook: "Penn State Harrisburg returns to the NEAC after five years of competition in the Capital Athletic Conference (CAC). First-year head coach Mandi Baer takes the helm of the program after three years as a top assistant at Division II Millersville. The returning seniors Dominique Emmett and Sarah Coolbaugh, as well as juniors Kaylee DeMatteo and Delaney Nevius provide experience for the Blue and White lineup. Transfer Madelyn Pyle should also provide consistency at the plate. The Lions will look to improve on last year's 12-win campaign as they enter a new era for the program."

SUNY Cobleskill

Head Coach: Liz Slupinski, 2nd Season

2019 Record: 15-16, 11-5 NEAC

2019 Postseason: 1-2, Finished third in the NEAC (Lost to Penn College twice, defeated Keuka)

Key Returners/Players to Watch: Alyssa Villielm (So., All-Conference First Team), Rachel Hall (Jr., All-Conference First Team), Jill Nitchman (So., All-Conference Second Team), Quesha Sells (Sr., All-Conference Third Team), Edyliese Aquino (Jr., All-Conference Third Team), Elle Kranbuhl (So., P/INF), Tori Decker (So., P/INF), Aubrie Marx (So., INF), EmmaRae Easton (So,, INF), Ashley Covert (Fr., C/INF)

Key Losses: Gabi Danthine, Mackenzie Holbert

Coach's Outlook: "We return a solid group of core players including four of our five All-Conference players and bring in an incredibly talented group of newcomers. There is a lot of depth at every position and the team has been working hard in the weight room and on the field. I am very excited to see how far we can push ourselves and build on the success we had last season!"

SUNY Poly

Head Coach: Juleah Wanner, Fourth Season

2019 Record: 14-21, 10-6 NEAC

2019 Postseason: NEAC Play-In Game (Lost to Keuka)

Key Returners/Players to Watch: Bailey Wood (Jr., C/INF), Jordan Penoyer (So. P/Utility), Kayla Maiolo (Sr. P), Chalee Wratten (So., INF)

Key Losses: Bailey Haddad, Courtney Morton (INF, All-Conference Third Team, Melissa Barber (Utility, All-Conference First Team), Kali Maggiolino

Coach's Outlook: "We are welcoming our freshmen and transfers with open arms! We have a lot of new girls that I am excited to see in action with our key returners. This year's team dynamic has shifted and we hope that it pays off!"

The NEAC softball preview can also be found at: https://www.neacsports.com/sports/sball/2019-20/releases/sb-season-preview-3-4