High school softball in the Upper Valley features plenty of varsity teams looking for a new direction.
Seven schools are under new leadership this season, including Hanover, Lebanon and Mascoma. Hanover, coming off of its most successful season in more than a decade, will try to build further under first-year head coach Jessica Belley.
Lebanon’s Kassie Dunkerton, a former Lebanon softball player herself, will lead a team trying to change its fortunes. Mascoma, with Bill O’Connell as the team’s new head coach, will try to do the same for a program that hasn’t seen much success recently.
The Upper Valley’s other new coaches are Rivendell’s Don Mitchell, Stevens’ Melissa Nichols, Newport’s Samuel McNeel and Thetford’s Mike Pomeroy.
On the other end of the spectrum are Oxbow, Sunapee and South Royalton, teams coming off of successful seasons that are looking for more in 2016.
Bonnie Cruz and the Sunapee Lakers are looking to defend their NHIAA Division IV state title, the first in school history, with starting pitcher Katie Frederick in the circle. Oxbow, searching for its first state championship since 2013, believes its found an answer offensively with freshman standout Madison Fornwalt.
South Royalton lost four starters since last year and will be looking to emulate last season’s success after a loss in the state championship game.
Coach: Jessica Belley (1).
League: NHIAA Division II.
Last Year: 6-13, lost in the first round to Windham.
Returnees: Seniors — Mackenzie Cutting, Sarah Kohl, Kirsten Tischbein. Juniors — Hee-Eun Kim, Brittany Richard. Sophomore — Anna Heise.
Newcomers: Junior — Hallie Scarbrough. Freshmen — Brianna Elder, Daria Gundermann, Rebecca Wilson.
Analysis: First-year head coach Jessica Belley will be starting from scratch with a Marauder team that, one year ago, earned the program’s most wins in more than a decade. Belley will also have plenty of shoes to fill with four experienced position players lost to graduation, forcing freshman Rebecca Wilson into the pitcher’s role.
“It’s tough to be a young pitcher, especially in their first varsity games,” Belley said. “It can be daunting. But (Wilson) has been very committed to working hard. … She has definitely been trained in pitching before.”
Seniors Mackenzie Cutting, Sarah Kohl and Kirsten Tischbein will all share captaincy duties. Belley takes over for Mike Landau, who led the Marauders to a 15-54 record since 2011. Last season was the team’s first playoff appearance in 13 years.
Coach: Gary Gervais (8).
Leagues: Marble Valley League, VPA Division II.
Last Year: 7-10, lost in first round to Randolph.
Returnees: Seniors — Elizabeth Greenan, Kayla Lancor, Kelsey Mason, Amber Wilson. Juniors — Brooke Hurd, Rachel Loseby.
Newcomers: Seniors — Logan Potter, Nicole Wardwell. Juniors — Jordyn Pallmerine, Jasmyn Rodgers, Brianna Wardwell. Sophomores — Emily Ballou, Kylee Beaucage.
Analysis: Hartford has plenty of holes to fill heading into the season, with only four starters returning from last year’s squad. The Hurricanes graduated six seniors last season, including their starting pitcher and catcher. Junior Brooke Hurd takes over the pitching duties, and Kelsey Mason has earned a spot behind the plate.
But Hartford’s biggest strength is in the infield, particularly in shortstop Kayla Lancor, who returns for her fourth varsity season. The Hurricanes will have newcomers at first base, second base and in the outfield.
Coach: Kassie Dunkerton (1).
League: NHIAA Division II.
Last Year: 1-15, missed playoffs.
Returnees: Seniors — Carlee Schettino, Karli Sou, Lauren Goodell, Abbey Brann, Morganne Young, Daisy Haley. Junior — Sydney Broughton. Sophomore — Madison Tilton.
Newcomers: Juniors — Kristen Anderson, Sophie Hammond. Sophomore — Julia Tibbits.
Analysis: First-year head coach and Raider softball alumna Kassie Dunkerton, formerly Lebanon Middle School’s softball coach, wants to do more than just change the fortunes of Lebanon softball; she wants to change the culture around the team. After only three wins over the past three seasons, Dunkerton and this year’s Lebanon seniors want better results.
“It feels like we’re starting over,” said Raiders senior Morganne Young. “Like we’re starting fresh.”
Dunkerton brings her experience to a team looking to turn things around. Six seniors provide a foundation of leadership that, Lebanon hopes, will bring more wins and garner more interest from their classmates to grow the program and re-establish its numbers.
Coach: Bill O’Connell (1).
League: NHIAA Division III.
Last Year: 3-13, missed playoffs.
Returnees: Seniors — Rachel Kahn, Mikayla Clifford. Juniors — Katie Ferland, Rebekah Dimond. Sophomores — Emma Mulherin, Kayla Hammond, Raeleigh Mansur, Sarah Ruel.
Newcomers: Juniors — Ashlynn Moses, Sam Farrell. Freshmen — Katie Pushee, Abby Duhaime, Morgan Prentiss.
Analysis: First-year head coach Bill O’Connell looks to take his baseball experience and apply it to a softball team that has had four different coaches over the last four years. Returning to this year’s team are senior starting pitcher Mikayla Clifford and senior shortstop Rachel Kahn, though O’Connell said he’d ideally like to have several pitching options.
“We really want universal athletes who can play anywhere,” O’Connell said.
Mascoma has not named a captain this season by design as it tries to re-establish itself in D-III.
Coach: Sam McNeel (1).
League: NHIAA Division III.
Last Year: 11-6, lost in second round to Hopkinton.
Returnees: Seniors — Samantha McNeel, Stephanie Carl, Emma Carroll, Katrina Batista, Brooke Beaulieu, Barbara Perry, Mariah Chase. Junior — Gabby Scanlon. Sophomores — Kendall Hamilton, Stacia Dame, Hailey Perry.
Newcomers: Seniors — Melissa Clivio-Wentrup, Payton Wilson. Junior — Hannah Clark. Freshman — Megan Howard.
Analysis: Newport features a deep, experienced senior class that includes two knockout pitchers in Stephanie Carl and Samantha McNeel. Though Carl is the primary pitcher, McNeel is a capable backup and can take over if need be, an aspect of pitching depth that first-year head coach Sam McNeel will take advantage of.
Sophomore Kendall Hamilton will also get some pitching time as Newport looks toward the future. For McNeel and his coaching staff, the challenge will be to keep the team focused.
Coach: Robin Wozny (27).
League: VPA Division III.
Last Year: 13-3, lost in quarters to Leland & Gray.
Returnees: Seniors — Jamie Stevens, Bekah Hanzas, Corrina Oakley, Haley Boyce, Dominique Rowell. Juniors — Alex Geising, Sara Walker, Mary Bourgeois, Kayleigh Trojanowski. Sophomore — Bailee Wheeler.
Newcomers: Juniors — Shannon Boyce, Brittanny Brocar. Freshman — Madison Fornwalt.
Analysis: The Olympians will feature a pitching duo of returning starter Mary Bourgeois and freshman newcomer Madison Fornwalt as the team looks to bounce back from a disappointing end to the season last year. Oxbow head coach Robin Wozny said the pitching tandem will give her more in-game options and keep both pitchers fresh while competing with each other to get the best out of each athlete.
“The big thing this season will be managing my two pitchers,” Wozny said.
Oxbow graduated two starters and six seniors overall after last season and features 11 upperclassmen on this year’s team. The rest of the lineup is mostly intact with a little bit more power. The Olympians won the D-III state title in 2013 and have yet to make it back to the championship game since.
Coach: Don Mitchell (1).
Leagues: Central Vermont League, VPA Division III.
Last Year: 1-11, missed playoffs.
Returnees: Seniors — Heather Dexter, Shay Lapine, Nicole Wurtz. Junior — McKenna Vinford. Sophomores — Kirstyn Vinford, Shaunna Simmons, Cierra Longto.
Newcomers: Eighth grade — Megan Olney, Eavie Molesworth, Caitlyn Kilmer, Katelyn Woodbeck.
Analysis: New coach Don Mitchell, taking over for Lance Mills, and the Raptors hope a jolt of youth reinvigorates the program after accumulating only one win over the past two seasons. Rivendell petitioned for four eighth-graders to join varsity this season, allowing the team to just barely have enough to fill the roster.
Nicole Wurtz leads the Rivendell defense from behind the plate, catching for sophomore pitchers Cierra Longto and Shaunna Simmons. Heather Dexter will handle first base and eighth grader Katelyn Woodbeck will join the pitching rotation.
“Last year, we walked a lot of people,” Mitchell said. “I’ve spent a lot more time with the pitchers this year. Hopefully that pays off.”
South Royalton
Coach: Roger McCrillis (31).
Leagues: Central Vermont League, VPA Division IV.
Last Year: 13-6, lost in state final to Blue Mountain.
Returnees: Seniors — Rachel Moore, Summer Spaulding, Brittany Frary. Juniors — Mara Southworth, Anna Meeks, Courtney Kondi, Maegan Carbino. Sophomores — Cinza DeGregorio, Bailey Wing, Grace Pease, Grace Frary.
Newcomers: Freshmen — Paige Bellentine, Mikayla Christie.
Analysis: The Royals are looking for a pitcher after losing four starters from the team a year after falling in the Vermont Division IV state championship game.
Senior Rachel Moore is the short-term solution, pulled from her regular position in the field to pitch. The Royals hope freshman Paige Bellentine, who has some experience at the junior varsity and middle school level, is the long-term solution. It’s a defensive shuffle that has put the Royals in a much different position than they were a year ago.
Stevens
Coach: Melissa Nichols (1).
League: NHIAA Division III.
Last Year: 0-17, missed playoffs.
Returnees: Juniors — Marti Milan, Amber Duford, Emma Shea. Sophomores — Ryllie Brown, Alexis Ford.
Newcomers: Freshmen — Katelyn Chambers, Ashlynn Marsh, Jenna Pond, Sarah Ruest, Madison Lapsley, Jamie Barry.
Analysis: Missy Nichols returns to Stevens softball after a two-year hiatus. With no seniors and only five upperclassmen on this year’s squad, Nichols takes over a team looking for direction and some confidence after going winless.
“We’re a very young team, and with that will come some growing pains, which is to be expected,” Nichols said.
Stevens’ five upperclassmen will handle infield positions. Freshmen Jenna Pond, Sarah Ruest and Madison Lapsley will share the pitching duties for the Cardinals.
Sunapee
Coach: Bonnie Cruz (8).
League: NHIAA Division IV.
Last Year: 18-2, won state championship for first time in school history.
Returnees: Seniors — Meagan Curry, Lexie Hamilton, Olivia Hamilton, Rachel Malanga. Juniors — Katie Frederick, Meghan Frederick, Faith Larpenter, Jessica Parsons. Sophomore — Kalleigh Durkee.
Newcomers: Seniors — Shantel Camber, Sofia Villarreal. Freshmen — Elizabeth Bennett, Hannah Cooney, Star Lucas, Erin Moynihan.
Analysis: Coming off of Sunapee’s first state softball championship in school history, the Lakers will be looking for more of the same. It helps, certainly, that most of its team is returning for another year, including all its infield and starting pitcher Katie Frederick.
“The girls are coming off of successful basketball and volleyball seasons,” Cruz said. “They’re competitors. They’re ready to play.”
Sunapee graduated most of its outfield at the end of its championship season, replaced by seniors Olivia Hamilton, Meagan Curry and sophomore Kalleigh Durkee. Cruz said one of her team’s biggest strengths is its familiarity with each other, making this year’s expectations for the Lakers just as high as a year ago.
Coach: Mike Pomeroy (1).
League: VPA Division III.
Last Year: 12-6, lost in semis to Leland & Gray.
Returnees: Juniors — Emily Emerson, Molly Higgins, Taylor Hollis, Grace Veracka. Sophomores — Emily Brown, Skye Currier, Brooke Horniak, Maddy Kingsbury, Alexis Rich, Danielle Robinson.
Newcomers: Sophomores — Carley Malloy, Jordan Mousley, Caitlyn Town, Freshman — Sierra Eastman, Harlee Gray, Shannon Hayes, Reagynne Howe, Hannah Schwarz, Katelyn Ulman, Lily Vaughan, Rilee Wadsworth.
Analysis: Though Pomeroy is a first-year head coach, he’s not exactly an unfamiliar face after coaching several different levels of softball at Thetford over the past 13 years. Most recently, Pomeroy was Thetford’s assistant coach and junior varsity coach. The upperclassmen know who he is and what his expectations are.
The Panthers will feature a pitching duo of junior Taylor Hollis and sophomore Brooke Horniak, a strength at softball’s most important position. Though the team has no seniors, Thetford’s four junior captains have filled in the leadership gap for a team looking to continue its success from last season.
“We’d like to make it to the third round or go deep (in the playoffs)” Pomeroy said. “If you want a goal, that’s our goal. Looking at our schedule, going 10-6 (same as last season) is reasonable.”
Coach: Ray Colton (19).
Leagues: Central Vermont League, VPA Division IV.
Last Year: 12-5, lost in semis to South Royalton.
Returnees: Seniors — Lindsey LaPerle, Shannon Ludwig. Junior — Laura Vaillancourt. Sophomores — Avery Palmer, Sammy Barcomb, Emilie Thompson, Katrina Townsend, Jordan Galluzzo.
Newcomers: Seniors — Ashli Pike, Michaela Sterling. Juniors — Brianna Hillier, Chloe Graham-Frock, Brianna Roussell. Sophomores — Hayley Mears, Kaylah Stone. Freshmen — Amelia Mattrick, Kayla Townsend.
Analysis: Ray Colton’s Whitcomb softball team barely had enough girls on the roster last season. A year later, with the combination of Whitcomb High and Rochester High softball, Colton’s numbers are way beyond what he’s used to.
Whitchester has nearly 20 girls on this year’s team. After falling in the semifinals to South Royalton after an 11-4 regular season, the Mountaineers are hoping the influx of athletes will help make this year’s group even stronger.
“It’s a big bonus for us, really,” Colton said. “We got some strong players that came from Rochester.”
Coach: Phil Hathorn (8).
Leagues: Marble Valley League, VPA Division III.
Last Year: 10-9, lost in the semis to Richford.
Returnees: Seniors — Emily Anderson, Becca Rumrill, Naila Thompson, Emily Williams. Juniors — Erin Wierzbicki.
Newcomers: Seniors — Miranda Sweeney, Ashleigh Sweet. Freshmen — Kacie Charest, Kristin Clark, Carah Rugg, Alyssa Russo, Brooke McKeen, Jasmine Frazer.
Analysis: Phil Hathorn will have plenty of holes to fill after last season’s 8-8 regular season and the ensuing surprise run in the playoffs. Windsor has only five girls returning to varsity, relying on a young group of 11 freshmen to step in and make an impact.
“I think we’ll be better in mid-May,” Hathorn said. “But everything is new.”
Windsor’s answer in the circle is still up in the air, with Rumrill, Williams and freshman Carah Rugg all listed as pitchers, although Hathorn would like to keep his experienced seniors in the field. The Yellowjackets have six freshmen starting on varsity this year and have enough for a junior varsity squad.
Coach: Jane Hoisington (4).
Leagues: Marble Valley League, VPA Division II.
Last Year: 7-10, lost in first round to Middlebury.
Returnees: Seniors — Gabbi Rozumek, Elizabeth Fitzpatrick, Kaila Lemmer. Juniors — Hannah Reali, Madison Moore, Heather Blanchard, Loretta Blakeney. Sophomores — Olivia Newcity, Emily Surrell, Kennedy Moore, Emma Walker.
Newcomers: Junior — Alexis Fitzgerald. Sophomore — Leah Titus, Carissa Kinsman.
Analysis: With all but two starters returning from last year’s team, Woodstock head coach Jane Hoisington hopes that some of last year’s one-run losses can turn into victories. With some consistency in the circle and versatile shortstop Gabbi Rozumek entering her senior season, Hoisington likes her team’s chances.
“We have pieces, but when the pieces come together, I think we’ll play good ball,” Hoisington said. “I said to them that it’s really up to them to keep working and to keep focusing. … I think it’s going to be a fun team.”
Junior Madison Moore returns pitch for yet another year, though Hoisington said backup pitchers are in the works to get Moore some relief this season.
Coach: Dana Huntington (7).
League: NHIAA Division IV.
Last Year: 13-4, first-round loss to Nute.
Returnees: Seniors — Tori Clough, Nikita Duling, Dee Martin, Rainie May. Junior — Mariah Corliss. Sophomores — Suzanna Bazzell, Maggie Daly, Kyleigh Lamarre, Alyssa Prest.
Newcomers: Senior — Tricia Sackett. Juniors — Brooke Simano, Gabrielle Taylor. Sophomores — Kera Butson, Julianna LoCascio, Morgan McHugh.
Analysis: Woodsville head coach Dana Huntington has spent a lot of time trying different combinations from his defense early this season, a given after graduating all-state pitcher Lottie Page.
“We’ve moved a lot of kids around,” Huntington said. “We only have one girl returning to her same spot in the lineup. Defensively, we’re learning and making some mistakes in the field that we won’t later on.”
Sophomore Alyssa Prest takes over the pitching duties for the Engineers, looking to build on a great regular season that ended with a disappointing first-round exit to 10th-seeded Nute. Huntington said expectations are the same to be one of the best teams in D-IV.