A prime-time performer on a statewide basis over the past few years, the common thought is that Merrimack Valley Conference softball might take a collective step back in 2025.
“We’ll find out quickly,” said Methuen High coach Jason Smith. “But it looks like overall the numbers and the talent level aren’t where they have been.”
Graduation took a monster chunk out of the Valley, starting in the circle where All-Scholastics/legends Julia Malowitz (Central), Brigid Gaffny (North Andover) and Whitney Gigante (Tewksbury) have all moved on. Eagle-Tribune All-Stars Sam Dion (Haverhill), Kiele Coleman (Methuen), Ella Mancuso (North Andover) and Jenna Roche (North Andover) also have graduated, leaving the MVC in a bit of a rebuilding mode.
“It will still be a challenge. It may not be as strong as it has been in previous years,” said Methuen’s Smith. “But it will be fairly balanced.”
Both sides of the ledger – MVC1 with Billerica, Central, Chelmsford, Methuen and Tewksbury; and MVC2 with Andover, Dracut, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lowell and North Andover – should be ultra-competitive, with no true standout.
“Central will reload, Chelmsford will be strong, and Billerica finished the year better,” said Smith, who will basically be starting from scratch in the circle after graduation three senior pitchers.
Warriors more seasoned
Andover coach Rick Quattrocchi liked Chelmsford and Billerica as well, noting, “I think we have a chance.”
And why shouldn’t he? The Warriors won 10 games a year ago with a roster chock-full of freshmen and sophomores, including Eagle-Tribune All-Star catcher Aria Fraser.
“Now that we have the year of experience under them, it’s a much different team, more confident,” said Quattrocchi. “I think we will hit. We had 61 stolen bases as a team last year, and I think we will have more this year.”
Both pitchers, Molly Purtschert and Mia Rousseau return. And so does Fraser, whom the coach called, “the best catcher in the league.”
Shortstop Alivia Baldwin and first baseman Eve Rittershaus earned second-team All-MVC honors a year ago. They will backbone the lineup.
Raiders hungry again
Central’s Malowitz, the three-time Eagle-Tribune All-Star and 2024 Co-Player of the Year, pitched the Raiders to the state semis and finals in back-to-back seasons.
Finding her replacement is the top priority of the spring. Chloe Salerno picked up varsity innings as a freshman and might have the inside track, but there is more pitching in the program.
“We graduated four awesome seniors who contributed day in and day out, so they will be missed,” said coach Stacy Ciccolo. “We have an amazing group of seniors who will lead us in the right direction, but with our incredibly tough schedule we will need contributions from many if we are to stay a contender in the state.”
E-T All-Star third baseman Caitlin Milner is a feared slugger, as is Olivia Moeckel, who will likely slide from outfield to catcher for her senior campaign.
UMass Lowell-bound first baseman Ava Perrotta and fleet outfielder Bella Boyer have been key cogs in each of the last two postseason Raider runs.
Hillies stepping it up
After missing the postseason by a mere .1192 on the MIAA power rankings, Haverhill is hungry to take a step for forward.
“We are excited and optimistic about entering the new season. We have a team of talented athletes,” said coach Hayley McCarthy. “This group has a solid foundation of experience and chemistry.”
Cayla Irwin did solid work in the circle a year ago, and both Emmalyn Proia (.377 avg.) and Gianna Pistone (.356 avg.) led the offense a year ago as freshmen.
They are joined by Reece Favalora, Ava Moscaritolo and Meredith Tabb in a sophomore class that hopefully sparks the continued program revival.
New leader in Lawrence
First-year head coach Shirley Peralta-Veras, an LHS alum, takes over the Lancer program after a winless 2024 campaign.
“While it was a difficult year, we’re focused on moving forward with a fresh perspective,” said Peralta-Veras. “We’ve lost a few key players, but the foundation we’re building together is focused on teamwork, trust, and hard work.”
Only three starters are back, led by two-year captain Yebriana Castillo. She likes what she has seen so far from the new regime.
“We’re making a lot of progress,” said Castillo, who looks like she will settle in between catcher and first base this spring. “It’s been better than ever. She brings a lot of confidence to our team. We can do this. We can play the game the best we can. We love her energy, too. She’s very cheerful.”
New-look Rangers ready
One of the youngest Ranger teams in recent memory, including four freshmen, is readying for battle.
“We have many holes to fill due to the graduation of some very talented athletes, but we are working hard at practice and scrimmages to find the right mix,” said Smith. “We will rely on our small group of returnees to lead this team. Our team speed will be counted on to be competitive.”
Smith turns to sophomore Arianna Marchand in the circle after a strong freshman season on JV.
Offensively, there should be speed and strength at the top of the lineup with first team All-MVC outfielder Adriana Delaney coming off a monster sophomore year (.398, 23 runs scored). Colleen McNamara (.366) and Bella Medeiros (.329) can both swing it.
Sophomore Melany Reyes will likely step in a short with Coleman now in the Merrimack College lineup.
Knights changing on fly
Graduating pillars like Gaffny, Mancuso and Roche shook the foundation. Coach Caitlin Flanagan is confident the support remains strong in the North Andover program.
“We have 10 returning varsity players so we hope to bring our experience to the field right away and get some wins early in the season,” said Flanagan. “We have some big bats back this year that will hopefully do some damage in the MVC.”
Those big bats are led by sophomore Riley Davis (.458, 15 RBIs) and senior Addy Crosby (.435, 20 RBIs). Meanwhile, senior Jess Voutour gets her shot in the circle.
Reggies juiced up
The Greater Lawrence Tech program welcomed over 60 girls at tryouts, numbers that should again bode well on the field first and foremost.
The Reggies have a chance every time they step on the diamond when all-conference junior Samantha Nasella steps in the circle. Eagle-Tribune All-Star catcher Naishaliz “Mya” German is also back behind the plate.
An already solid lineup with six returning starters got an added boost with the addition of Arielle Merlina, who hit .300 as a freshman at Lawrence High last spring.
“There has been excitement since the beginning of the year for this coming softball season,” said coach John Delaney. “With a lot of excitement and leadership we will go as far as our hard work and leadership take us.
“The CAC large will be one of the most competitive better leagues in the state.”
One final ride at Whittier
Kaylee Habib’s amazing run in the circle has one more act to play out.
The conference MVP and Eagle-Tribune All-Star pitched Whittier Tech to the CAC large and State Vocational titles a year ago, striking out 222 hitters. Habib, who will play at Wentworth, is one of just three Wildcats’ starters returning from the 19-4 club of a year ago.
Ainsley Rousseau is a two-year all-conference infielder, and Kayden Ouellette is a catcher/third baseman. All three are captains this year, who will be entrusted with bringing some fresh new faces along.
“We are eagerly anticipating the upcoming season and are dedicated to putting in hard work each day,” said coach Cheryl Begin. “Our goal is to return to the D1 state tournament this year.”