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County softball teams look to be competitive

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

There was a time when the Cape May County high school softball teams had trouble competing with their Cape-Atlantic League and Tri-County Conference counterparts. That is clearly not the case for 2019. This is a season in which five of the six county schools have legitimate chances to improve their win totals from last season. Meanwhile, Wildwood Catholic, which won 21 games and a sectional championship in 2018, should still be among the better teams in South Jersey even though it suffered some losses from its roster.

The following is a look at each of the Cape May County high school softball teams:

CAPE MAY TECH

Cape May Tech’s Lorin Perednas.

Cape May Tech lost about half of its starting lineup to graduation from last year’s five-win team. The Lady Hawks will lean on co-captains Amy Poserina (OF/P), Lorin Perednas (P/2B), Dani Piazzi (SS), Giana Esposito (1B) and Paige Sittineri (UT) to lead the way. Perednas needs 34 hits to become just the third player in program history to reach 100 career hits.

Cape May Tech, coached by Barry Kopf, was scheduled to open the season Tuesday at home against Bridgeton.

LOWER CAPE MAY

Lower Cape May went winless in 2018 but has a solid group of returning players that should help the team become much more competitive this spring.

MADISON SLOAN

The Lady Tigers are led by senior Madison Sloan (SS). The Division II Lock Haven commit batted a team-best .455 as a junior. Other key returning players include seniors Charlotte Thompson (P/OF), Kayla Brown (OF) and Kaitlyn Dougherty (OF/C), juniors Emma Muldoon (1B/P) and Joelle Klein (C) and sophomores Mia Lund (OF/3B) and Hope Sandoff (UT).

The top newcomers are senior Brianna Hemling (3B), junior Alexis Stewart (OF), sophomore Molly McGuigan (OF) and freshman Delaney Brown (2B).

“It will be a building year,” said new head coach Kiersten Hughes. “We are looking to improve our overall record and establish a name for ourselves. The girls have been working hard and the scrimmages have surely shown that. I feel this season will be a positive turnaround for the girls and our program.”

Lower was scheduled to open the season Tuesday at Pleasantville.

MIDDLE TOWNSHIP

As usual, Middle was competitive last spring, finishing just under .500 at 11-13. With seven returning players and another back who missed all of last season due to injury, the Lady Panthers are optimistic for a winning season in 2019.

Paige Fox hit .467 for Middle Township in 2018.

Middle is led by the senior Fox sisters. Paige Fox (1B) hit .467 with 12 doubles and was a Carpenter Cup participant last season, while Grace Fox (OF) batted .358 in 2019.

Other returnees from last season include seniors Lacey Abrego (P/UT) and Emmie Dayton (C), juniors Raine DeRose (2B) and Cassidy Gallagher (OF) and sophomore Morgan Adams (OF). Also back is senior Victoria London (INF), a starter as a sophomore who missed all of last season after suffering a knee injury during basketball season.

New varsity players expected to make an impact include sophomore Charlotte Selover (P/UT) and freshman Grace Thompson (UT).

“We’re hoping to improve throughout the season to be able to compete with anyone in our division and group,” said ninth-year head coach Lauren Ruef.

Middle was scheduled to open the season Monday against St. Joseph but the contest was postponed. The team was scheduled to play at Our Lady of Mercy Academy on Tuesday.

OCEAN CITY

Ocean City went 5-11 last spring but could take a significant step in 2019. The Raiders lost only one player to graduation and bring back some solid hitters.

Jackie Nesi of Ocean City is one of the county’s top hitters.

Senior Jackie Nesi (1B) is a big power threat who batted .462 as a junior after hitting .464 as a sophomore. She was also a Carpenter Cup selection last spring.

Other key contributors back from last year’s team include Lindsay Konick (SS), Ashley Vitiello (P), Hailey Neville (INF), Savanna Holt (3B) and Abby Craige (C). Konick hit .383 and led the team in stolen bases last spring.

John Bruno returns for his 20th season as head coach.

Ocean City was scheduled to host Atlantic City in its opener on Tuesday.

WILDWOOD

Wildwood will certainly field one of the youngest teams in the region as the Lady Warriors feature no juniors or seniors on the roster. But the team is filled with many multi-sport athletes who look to help the team become more competitive after last year’s 3-12 campaign.

Sophomores Jenna Hans (3B) and Leah Benichou (SS/P) are the lone returning starters.

New varsity players include sophomores Laila Rios (OF/2B), Lilly Aguilar (OF) and Milly Palacios (OF) and freshmen Emily Little (1B), Amanda Claudio (C), Ava Troiano (2B/OF), Imene Fathi (P/UT), Torence Gallo (OF), Lisbeth Garcia (OF), Annalee Nieves (OF), Minerva Ruiz (OF), Yahaira Juarez (OF) and Niurka Delgado (OF).

“I think we can be more competitive this season,” said ninth-year coach Teresa Cunniff. “I think we’ll play good defensive softball.”

Wildwood was scheduled to open the season Tuesday at Camden County Tech.

WILDWOOD CATHOLIC

Wildwood Catholic is coming off back-to-back South Jersey Non-Public B championships and is hoping for the same kind of success this spring. But the Crusaders will have to go without some key players.

Wildwood Catholic’s Mercedes Rivera is one of the county’s top all-around players.

Senior Anna Mae Peterson (.470 BA with 44 RBI in 2018) is out due to injury and a couple of other key players transferred away prior to the start of the school year or decided to play other sports. But the Crusaders still have some extremely talented players, led by senior Emily Cimino (P/1B), a Division I Lehigh commit who batted .662 with 13 home runs and 28 RBI and went 10-3 on the mound last spring. Also back is senior Mercedes Rivera (OF), who hit .429 with 44 runs scored and 25 stolen bases. She’s set to play at the College of St. Elizabeth.

Other returnees include sophomore Brianna Bailey (SS), who hit .402 with 38 RBI last season; senior Noelle Probst (P/C); and senior Bella Feraco (2B).

Some of the top newcomers include senior Alyssa Katz (3B), junior Kasmai Hitaffer (OF) and sophomore Isabella Tenaglia (OF).

“We lost a few players to season-ending injuries and we had a few transfer out for personal reasons but we will compete,” said sixth-year coach Matt Megines. “I expect my girls to play their hearts out and continue to play at a high level. We have a very tough schedule but we should make some noise.”

Wildwood Catholic was scheduled to host Vineland on Tuesday.