Youthful group hopes to lead Millersville softball to success in 2025

Youthful group hopes to lead Millersville softball to success in 2025

2/6/2025 4:00:00 PM | Softball

By: Wes Champlin, Athletic Communications Graduate Assistant

MILLERSVILLE, Pa. —By listening closely around Seaber Softball Stadium, one can hear the winds of change howling across the turf and through the Millersville Marauders' home dugout. After back-to-back seasons with nearly an identical core intact, the graduation of eight lineup or rotation mainstays bring the 2025 edition of the Millersville softball team into uncharted waters.

When the team arrives on the field for its home debut against Jefferson on Feb. 12, 2025, those gusts of uncertainty will be replaced by a sense of excitement about what this new-look squad could do. To offset the number of players lost to graduation, Probst brought in 10 newcomers: nine freshmen and one sophomore transfer. Couple that with the yearly progression of returning starters in the field like Kendra Bumgardner, Victoria Fuss and Carly Vaughan, and it is easy to see why those around the team are looking forward to this year.

"We're going to play the game a little different this year than we have in the past," head coach Jen Probst stated. "I think it will catch teams off guard. In addition, the conference hasn't seen our three returning pitchers much, and with five new arms they won't know what to expect from our staff. I'm looking forward to watching this new team create their identity and work together to contribute to the team's success."

It will be no easy task to fill the shoes of last year's graduating class. Among that group was All-American and holder of 11 team batting records Aleese Angelo, All-PSAC selections Gabby D'Ottavio and Gabi Turner, and holder of six team pitching records Alex Schaefer. In the field, the Marauders' task is to replace 255 starts and 780 at-bats. The losses may have been even greater on the pitching staff, as Schaefer and fellow departee Morgan Crutcher combined to throw 231.1 of the team's 323.1 innings pitched in 2024. Despite those achievements, the most notable loss may have been off the field, according to Probst.

"The biggest thing we lost was leadership," Probst explained. "In preparation, last year we had a mentorship program where our seniors took players interested in leadership and worked with them one on one to make the transition this year smooth. All our upperclassmen have shown great leadership qualities which led us to have a very successful fall while getting the 10 new players dialed in quickly."

However, despite leaving the playing field, a few members have stuck around to assist with this year's squad as part of the team's 8-person coaching staff. The experience of former Marauder outfielders Taylor Campagna and Marli Schreiner have been a big help to Probst and assistant coach Justin Sykes, especially when it comes to helping the newcomers adjust.

"(Having them around has) helped a lot because they've had the experience of going through the program," Sykes said. "TC (Campagna) and Marli, since they're both outfielders, they help me with the outfield. It's also been good for them to teach about the past and explaining what needs to be done to be able to become a more successful team; they've been a big help."

The additions to the coaching staff have been another major difference between seasons. Probst was the team's only coach heading into 2024. Since then, she's added an assistant coach, a catching coach, two volunteer assistants and three student assistants.

While no position is set in stone, there is a small contingent that will almost certainly play a large part in dictating the Marauders' success. Leading the way is Bumgardner, who is one of just three seniors on the roster. In addition to being a good defender out in center field, the native of Centre Hall, Pa. spent last season as the team's leadoff hitter and hit .327 while scoring 38 runs. Another strength of Bumgardner's is her versatility, as she's a viable two-way player and has seen time at second base when not roaming the outfield.

One of the most potent bats in the Marauder lineup last season was shortstop Fuss, who compiled a .900 OPS while batting mostly out of the ninth spot. One of the more interesting dynamics heading into this season is where she will bat, as her most productive days came when batting in that nine-hole.

That versatility will be a theme with every member of Probst's returning group. Sophomore Vaughan appeared both behind the plate and at the third base bag last season but has added first base to her repertoire as well. She flashed some pop at times in her 45 games as a rookie and looked to put it together down the stretch, with a seven-game hitting streak in the campaign's final weeks.

Junior Hailey Watlington started 2024 hot at the plate while playing mostly at third base but enters this year listed as a utility player. Someone who may appear on both ends of the throw during a steal of second base is second-year player Angelina Edwards. She both caught and played second during her freshman year, something that looks to continue heading into the upcoming season. Edwards is one of a few lefty batters on the team and features a smooth stroke from that side of the plate.

Another sophomore that figures to play a factor in this season's outcome is infielder Jiana Maniscalco. Maniscalco has made noise with her bat during the fall's games and learned a new position in third base this offseason; it wouldn't be a surprise to see her spend significant time there this year.

Bryn Spoerl enters her final season as a Marauder and appeared in 26 games mostly as a pinch runner or defensive replacement in the outfield last season. The senior made it count when she did bat, hitting .308 in limited plate appearances. Ellie Soucy had a similar role to Spoerl in 2024 but could get increased run in her junior season. A spot that sophomore Cameron Witte could play is first base, where there are a bevy of options but none with extended collegiate experience because of the durability of Turner over the years. Allyson Black played in the outfield last season and showed some pop, putting up a .455 slugging percentage in her 22 at-bats over 25 games. She profiles as the prototypical large target at first base with a 5-foot-10 frame. The final few involved in the first base competition are Vaughan, sophomore transfer Mollie White and senior pitcher Angelina Saverase.

In freshmen Bryn O'Connor, Jocelyn Langer, Emilee Slotcavage and Cara Mazzucco, Millersville has a glut of young outfield talent ready to fill the spots around Bumgardner. O'Connor earned first team all-conference and all-state honors as a shortstop in her junior & senior seasons while Langer was named first team all-conference her final three seasons at division 6A Pine Richland. Mazzucco and Slotcavage were both four-year letter winners at their respective high schools and Mazzucco twice earned all-conference honors. The final novice in the field is catcher Lexi Pickett, who hit a whopping .478 during her career at Biglerville High School.

"All our new players have improved, and with so many open spots in the starting lineup, I see a lot of them getting time," Probst said of the contingent of newcomers.

A similarly thorough youth movement has occurred within the Marauder bullpen, where senior junkballer Saverase is one of just two upperclassmen on the staff (excluding Bumgardner). She's made 47 of her 48 career appearances in relief and put up a 4-1 record in 23 games last season. The other returner is junior Nicolina Pezzone, who made seven starts in her 23 appearances in 2024 including a 5.2 inning stint against Kutztown on April 23. She will most likely have a crack at becoming one of the Marauders' two gameday starters in 2025, and Probst is excited about what her two upperclassmen could do this season.

"Nicolina and Angelina (Saverase) are ready to step into more innings on the mound this season," Probst said. "They're both coming off a strong fall and have completely different arsenals, so it will be a great one two punch."

Beyond that pair is five newcomers who are all competing for innings. White was mentioned as part of the crowd at first base, but the former West Virginia Wesleyan Bobcat may spend more time in the circle than in the field; the sophomore displayed her two-way ability in her lone season as a Bobcat, tallying eight hits at the plate and tossing 28.2 innings on the rubber. Delaney Troxell and Peyton Bechard come to Millersville after putting up truly spectacular numbers in high school. Bechard was a three-time all-region honoree at Northwest High and racked up 37 wins while pitching to a 1.51 ERA over her four seasons. Troxell's resume is equally as impressive, as she totaled 641 strikeouts and just 13 walks during her career for a 49.3 K/BB ratio.

Four-year letterwinner Ava Nelson and 2024 second team all-state selection Rebecca Opperman round out the group. Opperman put up a 1.75 ERA with 130 strikeouts as a senior at West Chester East while Nelson had an outstanding 27-4 record during her high school career including a 12-0 mark in her final season.

This youthful Marauders team begins its journey on Friday, Feb. 6 at Goldey-Beacom. All game days will be doubleheaders, so game one begins at 1 p.m. while game two is scheduled for 3 p.m. The team's much anticipated return to Seaber Softball Stadium is on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 1 p.m. & 3 p.m.