Preseason Coaches Poll | Record Book
Nicole Torlincasi, Dickinson
Dickinson (15-20, 4-12 CC, 7th place)
Head Coach: Matt Richwine (Shippensburg '99), 15th season
Team Page | Roster | Schedule | 2015 Statistics
All-Time Record: 453-576-3 (.440)
Preseason Poll Projection: 8th
Centennial Titles: 1 (2010)
Key Returnees: Casey Ditzler, Sr, IF, 0.362, 24 RBI; Grace Edelson, Sr, IF, .400, 22 RBI, 3 HR, All-CC 2nd Team; Nicole Piet, Sr, IF/OF, .333, 20 RBI; Emily Rosenberg, So, P, 9-9, 3.87 ERA, 82 K; Nicole Torlincasi, Jr, OF, 0.343, 18 RBI, 5 HR.
Key Losses: Becca Garlinger, IF/OF, .269, 13 RBI.
Outlook: Dickinson should have no problem putting runs on the board this season. The Red Devils return the heart of its lineup in Ditzler, Edelson, Piet, and Torlincasi. These four upperclassmen recorded over half the teams hits (142 of 254) and compiled 84 RBI and 10 home runs last season. In the circle, Rosenberg will look to build on her solid first year campaign. Dickinson will rely on its upperclassmen to lead the team to a higher finish in the conference standings than last year.
Isabel Schaefer, Franklin & Marshall
Franklin & Marshall (23-11, 9-7 CC, 5th place)
Head Coach: Mike Cooperstein (Penn State), 9th season
Team Page | Roster | Schedule | 2015 Statistics
All-Time Record: 467-506-2 (.480)
Preseason Poll Projection: 5th
Centennial Titles: 0
Key Returnees: Melissa Bollmeyer, So, INF, 0.373, 17 RBI, 14 SB, All-CC 2nd Team; Patricia Crigler, Sr, OF/C, 0.336, 16 RBI; Crystal Good, So, C/INF, 0.280, 20 RBI; Erin Russel, So, C/INF, 0.327, 18 RBI; Megan Ryan, Jr, P/IF, .283, 27 RBI, 3 HR; Isabel Schaefer, So, P, 11-8, 1.91 ERA, 113 K, All-CC 2nd Team.
Key Losses: Justine Lohrey, P, 7-2, 3.76 ERA, 26 K.
Outlook: The Diplomats return the core of the lineup that just missed a playoff berth in 2015. Franklin & Marshall will have strong pitching with all-conference selection Schaefer returning in the circle. At the plate, lead-off hitter Bollmeyer will fuel the offense with her bat and speed on the bases. Leading the team in RBIs last season, Ryan and Good will be counted on to bring in runners again this season. Both boasting averages over 0.300 in 2015, Crigler and Russel will be consistent hitters in the lineup. F&M will set its sights on making its first trip to the Centennial Conference tournament.
Steph Zengel, Gettysburg
Gettysburg (30-14, 11-5 CC, lost to McDaniel in CC final)
Head Coach: Annette Hunt-Shepherd (Maryland '97), 3rd Season
Team Page | Roster | Schedule | 2015 Statistics
All-Time Record: 659-362-3 (.645)
Preseason Poll: 1st
Centennial Titles: 3 (1994-99-2007)
Key Returnees: Jamie Abell, Jr, SS, .414, 33 RBI, All-CC 1st Team; Wendy Folfas, So, UT, 0.330, 20 RBI; Meghan Hisgen, Sr, 2B, .300, 25 RBI; Stephanie Leonardo, So, 3B/OF, 0.362, 21 RBI; Aileen Reilly, So, P, 17-4, 1.46 ERA, 108 K, All-CC 1st Team; Steph Zengel, Sr, OF, .422, 41 RBI, 2015 CC Player of the Year, All-CC 1st Team.
Key Losses: Emily Hall, C/1B, .281, 22 RBI; Ashley Iannone, 3B, 0.308, 25 RBI, All-CC 2nd Team; Melissa Tighe, OF, .400, 25 RBI, 36 SB, All-CC 1st Team.
Outlook: The Bullets are ready to return to the postseason in 2016. Gettysburg will have one of the top pitchers in the conference in Reilly. Middle infielders Abell and Hisgen will lead the defense that turned a conference best 25 double plays last season. Abell, Hisgen, Folfas, and Leonardo will contribute at the plate along with reigning CC Player of the Year Zengel, who was the 2015 conference leader in RBIs with 41. Look for the Bullets to be at the top of the conference standings this season.
Kristin Tatum, Haverford
Haverford (25-10-1, 12-4 CC, lost to Gettysburg in CC semifinal)
Head Coach: Erin Brooks (Fordham '04), 2nd season
Team Page | Roster | Schedule | 2015 Statistics
All-Time Record: 288-398-3 (.420)
Preseason Poll Projection: 2nd
Centennial Titles: 2 (2006-2014)
Key Returnees: Jessica Koshinski, So, 3B, 0.357, 15 RBI, 2015 CC Rookie of the Year, All-CC 1st Team; Kristin Tatum, Sr, C, .400, 29 RBI, 7 HR, All-CC 1st Team; Sara Tauriello, Sr, P, 12-2, 1.35 ERA, 77 K, All-CC 2nd Team; Emily Winesett, Jr, P, 10-4, 2.19 ERA, 78 K.
Key Losses: Dayle Comerford, IF, .417, 29 RBI, 4 HR, All-CC 1st Team; Julie Garlick, OF, 0.276, 23 RBI; Jill Schnall, 2B, .309, 25 RBI, All-CC 1st Team; Lauren Touey, INF/OF, 0.360, 14 RBI.
Outlook: The Fords graduated a talented senior class, but will still be a title contender this year. Look for Tauriello and Winesett to share the pitching responsibilites and Tatum to steady the defense from behind the plate. At the plate, Tatum's power gives her the ability to change a game with one swing. Earning All-CC first team honors as a freshman, Koshinski will be a player to watch this season. Haverford is poised to return to the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year.
Jamie Weisser, McDaniel
McDaniel (29-12, 14-2 CC, d. Gettysburg in CC final; lost to Salisbury and Va. Wesleyan in NCAA Regional)
Head Coach: Phil Smith (Pfeiffer '86), 13th season
Team Page | Roster | Schedule | 2015 Statistics
All-Time Record: 614-396-1 (.608)
Preseason Poll Projection: T3
Centennial Titles: 6 (1994-95-98-2002-04-12-15)
Key Returnees: Carly Deichman, So, 2B, 0.364, 10 RBI, All-CC 2nd Team; Tayler Hishon, So, 3B, 0.320, 32 RBI, All-CC Honorable Mention; Olivia Kipe, Jr, SS, .311, 22 RBI, All-CC Honorable Mention; Stacie Maring, Sr, OF, 0.296, 19 RBI, All-CC 2nd Team; Lindsey Miller, Jr, OF, 0.355, 26 RBI, All-CC 2nd Team; Jamie Weisser, Jr, OF, 0.375, 29 RBI, 6 HR, All-CC 1st Team.
Key Losses: Caroline Brehm, Sr, P, 23-8, 1.38 ERA, 241 K, 2015 CC Pitcher of the Year, All-CC 1st Team.
Outlook: McDaniel returns six All-CC selections from the lineup that won the 2015 conference title. Combining for 109 RBI and 14 home runs last season, Hishon, Weisser, Miller, and Kipe will power the offense. Deichman will continue to produce at the plate after finishing with one of the team's best averages last year as a freshman. Maring gives the Green Terror speed on the bases and will anchor the defense in the outfield. If McDaniel can find a steady replacement for standout pitcher Brehm, they should be back in the playoff conversation.
Nicole Iannarone, Muhlenberg
Muhlenberg (16-18, 10-6 CC, lost to Haverford in CC semifinal)
Head Coach: Marisa DeStasio (Binghamton '05), 7th Season
Team Page | Roster | Schedule | 2015 Statistics
All-Time Record: 589-514-2 (.534)
Preseason Poll Projection: 6th
Centennial Titles: 5 (2000-01-03-09-11)
Key Returnees: Amie DeFeo, Sr, OF, 0.306, 15 RBI; Haley Fedak, So, UT, 0.280, 21 RBI, 3 HR; Nicole Iannarone, Sr, OF, .302, 10 RBI, 14 SB; Amelia Shelley, So, C, 0.315, 9 RBI, All-CC 2nd Team; Taylor Trifiolis, Sr, INF, .242, 15 RBI.
Key Losses: Kelsey Jones, P, 11-8, 3.93 ERA, 68 K; Alyssa Schell, OF, .337, 11 RBI, All-CC Honorable Mention.
Outlook: With 12 underclassmen on its roster, Muhlenberg has a young team for the 2016 season. The Mules will look to seniors DeFeo, Iannarone, and Trifiolis to lead the team. DeFeo and Trifolis led the team in RBIs last year with 15 apiece; Iannarone's ability to hit for average and steal bases makes her dangerous on offense. After impressive freshman seasons, Fedak and Shelley will continue to be key contributors. If the newcomers have an immediate impact, the Mules may be back in the playoff hunt this year.
Mary Olesnavich, Swarthmore
Swarthmore (5-17, 1-11 CC, 8th)
Head Coach: Renee Clarke (Rutgers '88), 13th season
Team Page | Roster | Schedule | 2015 Statistics
All-Time Record: 350-583-1 (.375)
Preseason Poll Projection: 9th
Centennial Titles: 0
Key Returnees: Christen Boas Hayes, Sr, IF, 0.408, 17 RBI; Mary Olesnavich, So, P, 3.83 ERA, 34 K; Sarah Planthaber, Jr, OF, 0.403, 13 RBI; Frankie Ponziani, So, P, 3.50 ERA.
Key Losses: Emma Madarasz, C, .413, 5 RBI; Chelsea Matzko, OF, .273, 6 RBI; Laurie Sellars IF, .239, 6 RBI.
Outlook: In the field, Swarthmore will be led by sophomore pitchers Olesnavich and Ponziani. After good first years in the circle, they will be counted on to keep runners off the bases. After leading the team in batting average and RBIs, Boas Hayes will power the offense again this season. Batting over 0.400 last season, Planthaber will help put runs on the board for the Garnet. Swarthmore will take a step in the right direction this season.
Zoe Heinke, Ursinus
Ursinus (13-20, 1-13 CC, 9th place)
Head Coach: Samantha Campo (McDaniel '04), 4th Season
Team Page | Roster | Schedule | 2015 Statistics
All-Time Record: 611-356-2 (.632)
Preseason Poll Projection: 7th
Centennial Titles: 5 (1995-96-97-2005-08)
Key Returnees: Casey Derella, Jr, INF/OF, 0.289, 11 RBI, All-CC 2nd Team; Zoe Heinke, Sr, P/OF/2B, .200, 20 RBI; Rachel Hyman, So, INF, 0.353, 10 RBI; Kaitlyn Willis, So, P, 6-5, 2.31 ERA, 57 K.
Key Losses: Ellen Goldstein, 1B/2B/OF, .253, 11 RBI; Delia Mercurio, OF, .289, 23 RBI.
Outlook: Ursinus will have to replace the production of Goldstein and Mercurio at the plate, but all-CC selection Derella and Hyman will be up for the challenge. Heinke will be a key player for the Bears by impacting the game from the plate and the circle. Look for Willis to pitch for the Bears as well this year; her 2.31 ERA was third best amongst first year pitchers last season. Ursinus may not be ready to return to the playoffs in 2016, but they will be a formidable conference opponent.
Clare Hofstedt, Washington College
Washington College (16-18, 6-8 CC, 6th Place)
Head Coach: Lacey Lister (Salisbury '06), 8th season
Team Page | Roster | Schedule | 2015 Statistics
All-Time Record: 321-504-4 (.389)
Preseason Poll Projection: T3
Centennial Titles: 1 (2013)
Key Returnees: Paige Briganti, Sr, OF, 0.323, 15 RBI, All-CC 2nd Team; Taylor Harcum, So, P/1B, 2-1, 3.19 ERA, hit 0.444, 7 RBI; Clare Hofstedt, Sr, OF, 0.350, 5 RBI, All-CC 1st Team; Hannah Spohn, So, 1B/3B, 0.267, 18 RBI.
Key Losses: Christine Anderson, P/OF, 2.50 ERA, Hit .352, All-CC 2nd Team; Kristin Cooper, P/OF, 11-5, 1.43 ERA, 105 K, Hit .320, 20 RBI, All-CC 1st Team; Suzanne Patinella, SS/2B, .298, 16 RBI, All-CC 2nd Team.
Outlook: The senior class, who won the program's first title as freshmen, will look to bookend their careers with championships. Washington College will have one of the best outfields in the conference with Briganti and Hofstedt back in the lineup. At bat, look for Spohn and Harcum to bring runners home. Harcum will also step in to help replace one of the program's best pitchers in Cooper. Washington College graduated a few key players, but still may have all the pieces in place to make an appearance in the postseason.