More than half of Harford County softball coaches identified Patterson Mill as the team to beat this season. The Huskies return five seniors from a team that went 19-3 and won its fourth straight regional title last season.
Chasing the Huskies are Fallston, Bel Air and Harford Tech, coaches said. Still, everyone in the UCBAC is eying two-time defending Class 2A state champion Rising Sun, which figures to be at the top of the conference’s realigned Conowingo division.
This will be the first season of the conference’s adjustments, forgoing the annual realignment model with Chesapeake and Susquehanna divisions and going to three fixed divisions of five teams each (Tydings: Aberdeen, Bel Air, Fallston, Joppatowne and Patterson Mill; Hatem: C. Milton Wright, Edgewood, Harford Tech, North Harford and Havre de Grace; Conowingo: Perryville, North East, Rising Sun, Bo Manor and Elkton).
Most coaches told The Aegis they’re excited to see a renewed importance for the regular season as a conference championship returns to the UCBAC. Some worry what the changes could do for existing rivalries and teams that will struggle to compete in their new divisions.
Meanwhile, John Carroll hopes to repeat as IAAM A Conference champions. The Patriots will face local foes C. Milton Wright, Patterson Mill and Fallston this season.
Here’s what to watch for this season in Harford County softball.
Aberdeen
Coach: Amelia Speed, second season
Last year: 1-17
Top returners: Senior Lia Lucas (pitcher/utility); juniors Madelyn Hopp (infield) and Tamia Williams (infielder/pitcher).
Newcomers to watch: Juniors Alyssa Bauer (pitcher/utility) and Lily Haines (outfield); sophomore Aubrey Moore (utility).
Coach’s outlook: “We are hoping to work heavily on batting this year. The team acquired a brand new pitching machine, which should help the team lock in their hitting techniques.”
Bel Air
Coach: Nicole Cosgrove, seventh season
Last year: 6-11, region champions
Top returners: Senior Sofia Gallahue (pitcher/outfielder); junior Amelia Mason (infield); sophomore Alaina Torence (catcher).
Newcomers to watch: Senior Taylor Rothgeb (infielder); sophomore Addison Schrengost (utility); freshman Emily Riley (infielder).
Coach’s outlook: “We are looking forward to a competitive season. The goal is a run at the regional championship into the state tournament.”
C. Milton Wright
Coach: Jeff Dwyer, fourth season
Last year: 9-8
Top returners: Senior Kendra Miller (infield); junior Isabelle Youngworth (utility); sophomore Julianna McJilton (outfielder).
Newcomers to watch: Sophomore Gracie Newby (catcher); freshman Kamryn Alford (outfielder).
Coach’s outlook: “The Mustangs made some improvement in 2024. The main nucleus of the team is back, so improvement is expected in 2025. CMW appears to have more depth this year but still a young team. In order for CMW to take it to the next level, it has to win close games with the better teams in the region.”
Edgewood
Coach: Isabella Bungo, fourth season
Last year: 11-9
Top returners: Seniors Valeria Gutierrez (utility), Olivia Nerad (pitcher) and Mekiyah Stevens (utility).
Newcomer to watch: Freshman Cammy Velasquez (outfielder).
Coach’s outlook: “In order to stay in the mix, our team needs to work through tough innings. We have the talent, we just need to be mentally tough.”
Fallston
Coach: Brian Frist, second season
Last year: 13-6
Top returners: Juniors Sara Frist (outfielder), Abigail Marmen (infielder) and Allyson Underwood (pitcher).
Newcomer to watch: Sophomore Caitlyn Hornyak (pitcher).
Coach’s outlook: “We are excited about the new divisional format for the Upper Chesapeake Bay Athletic Conference. We are currently in the competitive Tydings Division with Patterson Mill. In order to be in the mix, all nine returning varsity players will need to excel offensively and remain consistent in the field.”
Harford Tech
Coach: Mark McClaskey, second season
Last year: 3-12
Top returners: Seniors Mikayla McJilton (pitcher/outfielder) and Shiloh Wall (shortstop/pitcher); junior Lyric Strong (infielder).
Top newcomer: Sophomore Violet Mulieri (outfielder/catcher).
Coach’s outlook: “In order for us to have a successful season, we will need to have timely hitting. The bats got turned on too late in some games last year. I am looking forward to seeing consistent pitching and to having our defense backing up our pitchers.”
Havre de Grace
Coach: Jeff Thompson, sixth season
Last year: 14-4
Top returners: Seniors Kinsey Mentzer (outfielder/catcher) and Lillia Dalton (pitcher); junior Sarah Weitzel (infielder).
Newcomers to watch: Senior Keira O’Keefe; freshmen Lily Jones and Jalynn Ludd
Coach’s outlook: “We are highly motivated and optimistic about our 2025 season. Keys to success are staying focused when facing adversity and maintaining a consistent approach at the plate against what should be some of the best pitching in the area. This should prepare us well for a successful postseason run.”
John Carroll
Coach: Sherry Hudson, 10th season
Last year: 17-2, IAAM A Conference champions
Top returners: Seniors Kallissa Coats (shortstop) and Juli Aragon (catcher); junior Savannah Claycomb (outfielder).
Newcomers to watch: Sophomores Mia Anderson (infielder) and Kylie Hinkleman (infielder); freshman Lily Rasmussen (infielder).
Coach’s outlook: “We lost seven players from last year’s team but should be competitive. It may take us some time to jell because we will have quite a few underclassmen in key positions with little varsity experience.”
Joppatowne
Coach: Duane Keller, first season
Last year: 3-11
Top returners: Seniors Ashley Merson (pitcher), Taylor Horsey (shortstop) and Kaylee Coffey (outfielder).
Newcomers to watch: Freshmen Megan Stienmiller (first base), Kylie Benner (catcher) and Gabby Gardner-Garison (third base).
Coach’s outlook: “We’re looking forward to becoming a closer team throughout the season.”
North Harford
Coach: Mary Ramsey, first season
Last year: 7-11
Top returners: Seniors Ava Wimer (infield) and Briana Billings (utility); junior Ashlie McMillan (pitcher).
Newcomers to watch: Freshmen Chloe Greb (utility) and Alyssa Aungst (outfield).
Coach’s outlook: “I’m looking forward to a solid season. This is a great group of players and I hope to see them grow each week no matter the outcome of an individual game. As long as they continue to be relaxed and enjoy the sport, I think we will do well.”
Patterson Mill
Coach: Jeff Horton, 11th season
Last year: 19-3, region champions
Top returners: Seniors Lily Baldwin (pitcher/infielder), Izzy Hiebler (catcher), Kenzie Knight (outfielder), Audrey March (pitcher) and Savannah Reedy (shortstop).
Newcomer to watch: Junior Mia Jelen (outfielder)
Coach’s outlook: “I’d really like to see our team play with high energy and have a lot of fun this year. All we have to do is play to our potential and we will be in the mix.”
Have a news tip? Contact Taylor Lyons at tlyons@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/TaylorJLyons.
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