Softball
By Matt Grisafi
ASSOCIATE EDITOR ©News of Delaware County 2002
When you pick up your copy of this newspaper next year, the 2003 NEWS of Delaware County All-Star Softball Team may look pretty darn close to this one.
That's because 22 of the 34 first- and second-team selections are underclassmen. Out of those 34 selections, there are 16 juniors, 11 seniors, five sophomores and one freshman.
This was a season dominated by underclassmen who - senior Haverford hurler Rachel Armes aside - led Havertown and Springfield to a split of the Central League crown.
With juniors Melissa Ciurlino, Lauren Crandley and Bridget Fogarty returning next season for Springfield, and the Fords bringing back junior Tracie Seagraves and sophomores Tara Colantuono and Lindsay Cull, there could very well be another split.
These underclassmen, along with a fine crop of seniors, make up the 2002 NEWS of Delaware County All-Star Softball Team.
High school all-stars were selected after consultations with area head coaches. Brief player profiles follow.
First team
Tara Colantuono (Haverford, sophomore, right field) - Ford leadoff hitter batted .417 and scored 20 of the team's 91 runs for the season... Used her terrific speed to lead the team with 10 stolen bases and a .500 on-base percentage... Struck out just five times all season... Great arm... All-Central League First-Team selection... Started and earned a All-Central League Second-Team honor last year as a freshman.
Lindsay Cull (Haverford, sophomore, shortstop) A first-year starter at shortstop, Cull responded with a great season in the field, committing just six errors... Has a great sense for the ball... At the plate, she hit .293 on the year and led the team in sacrifices... Struck out just three times... Also plays basketball for Haverford... All-Central League Second-Team selection.
Rachel Armes (Haverford, senior, pitcher) - The Fords' MVP and co-captain had a stellar season, racking up a 13-3 record with a 1.07 ERA... Struck out 117 in 111 innings while walking just eight... Incredibly, gave up just five extra-base hits all season... No slouch at the plate as she batted third and hit .290 with 15 RBI... Errorless in the field... All-Central League First-Team selection... Made second team as a first baseman last year... Headed to Millersville University for softball.
Tracie Seagraves (Haverford, junior, catcher) - The Fords' other co-captain and team leader, she batted clean-up and led the club in batting (.441) and RBIs (16)... Three-year starter struck out just twice all season at the plate and was perfect behind it, committing no errors... All-Central League First-Team selection for the second straight year.
Christina Ciletti (Upper Darby, junior, pitcher) - Royal hurler had a terrific season, posting a 13-6 record with a 1.00 ERA... Uses a variety of pitches, good control... Struck out 135 in 140 innings, walking just 30... Just one error in the field... Most Dedicated Player Award, co-winner for Upper Darby... All-Central League Honorable Mention selection.
Laura Stott (Upper Darby, sophomore, catcher) - Outstanding defensive catcher... Quick behind the plate with a strong arm... Batted .292 with six RBI... Most Dedicated Player Award co-winner for Upper Darby... All-Central League First-Team selection... Also played field hockey and basketball for the Royals.
Jackie Gaulin (Upper Darby, junior, left field) - Royals' team MVP batted leadoff and hit .344 with two homers and nine RBI... Flawless in the outfield, committing no errors this season... Very quick on the bases... All-Central League First Team selection... Also played soccer for the Royals.
Brittany Teal (Marple Newtown, senior, shortstop) - Tiger infielder led the team with a .471 average and drove in 18 runs... Hit six doubles, two triples and a homer... Four-year starter batted cleanup all four years... All-Central League First Team selection... Captain of the baseball, basketball and soccer teams at Marple Newtown... Attending West Chester University to play softball and basketball.
Jen Taggart (Marple Newtown, senior, second base) - Tiger leadoff batter hit .455 this season and led the team with 11 stolen bases... Hit two doubles, three triples and a homer... Two-year starter for the Tigers... All-Central League First-Team selection... "Great attitude," says Coach Bill Bradley, "She'll be sorely missed."... Also played soccer... Attending Millersville University.
Melissa Ciurlino (Springfield, junior, pitcher) - Cougar hurler dominated this season, posting a 17-5 record with a microscopic 0.67 ERA... Struck out 132 in 157 innings, walking just 11 batters... Faced 600 batters and allowed just eight extra-base hits all season... The competition batted just .179 against her... On offense, she batted .242 for the and was a good contact hitter... All-Central League First-Team selection.
Lauren Crandley (Springfield, junior, first base) - Cougar standout "is just as good defensively as she is offensively" says Coach Todd Odgers... Defensively, committed just one error... Offensively, she hit .342 with five extra-base hits and a league-leading 24 RBI... All-Central League First-Team selection... Also played soccer and basketball for Springfield.
Bridget Fogarty (Springfield, junior, third base) - Another all-around good player for the Cougars... Batted .313 and led the team with 21 runs scored... Solid defensively... "When the ball's hit to her, you know it's going to be an out," says Coach Odgers... All-Central League First-Team selection.
Chris Wontroba (Archbishop Prendergast, junior, pitcher) - Arguably the best pitcher in the county... Posted a 12-3 record with an incredible 0.28 ERA... Allowed just four earned runs all season... Struck out 134 batters in 97 innings, walking just 20... At the plate, hit .518 with four triples and 17 RBI... Hard-worker... Catholic League South MVP... All-Catholic League First-Team selection... Competed on Prendie's championship bowling team.
DeAnna Lane (Archbishop Prendergast, senior, second base) - Panda infielder batted .383 and led the team in sacrifices and stolen bases (eight)... Excellent defensively... Com- mitted just three errors all season with a .978 fielding percentage... Three-year starter... All-Catholic League First-Team selection... Will attend Penn State University's Delco campus and play softball.
Kate Douglas (Archbishop Prendergast, senior, catcher) - Panda catcher called pitches for the dominating Wontroba... On offense, batted .279 with an on-base percentage over .450... Two-year starter... All-Catholic League First-Team selection... Undecided on post-high school plans.
Kelli Anne Meehan (Cardinal O'Hara, sophomore, pitcher) - Lion hurler had a dominating season, posting a 10-5 record with an amazing 0.85 ERA... Struck out 117 batters in 114 innings, walking just 15... Hard worker, very consistent... All-Catholic League First-Team selection.
Jackie Fiorello (Cardinal O'Hara, senior, center field) - Lion outfielder batted .302 this season and led the team in runs scored with 12... Flawless in center field, committing no errors... All-Catholic League First-Team selection... Also played soccer for O'Hara... Will attend Penn State University.
Nicole Tangradi (Archbishop Carroll, senior, first base) - Patriot infielder was Carroll's team MVP... Batted .414 and led the team with three triples and two homers... Second on the team with 21 RBI... Played an errorless season defensively.
Courtney Mahoney (Arch-bishop Carroll, senior, catcher) - Patriot standout was excellent defensively... Committed no errors this season... Winner of the team's Outstanding Defensive Award... Batted .377 and was second on the team with 11 walks.
Second team
Carolanne Bianco (Haverford, junior, center field) - Ford three-year starter led the team in stolen bases with nine... Very good speed... Leads by example... Batted .265... All-Central League Second-Team selection.
Kara Janos (Haverford, freshman, first base) - Only freshman on Fords varsity team... Batted .261 with two triples, a homer and 10 RBI... Hits with power... Steady defensively as witnessed by .965 fielding percentage... All-Central League Honorable Mention selection.
Caitlin Sweeney (Upper Darby, junior, center field) - Royal outfielder was a defensive standout... Good speed and a strong arm... Threw two runners out at the plate this season... Reacts very quickly to the ball... Batted .237... All-Central League Honorable Mention selection.
Jen Riccio (Marple Newtown, senior, catcher) - Tiger catcher "kept the team loose" says Coach Bradley... Hit .414 this season with 19 RBI... All-Central League Second-Team selection... Wants to be a chef and will attend The Restaurant School in Philadelphia.
Melissa Bennett (Marple Newtown, junior, third base) - Outstanding defensive third-sacker committed just two errors this season... Very steady offensively as well and batted .300 with eight RBI... May play catcher next season for the Tigers.
Meghan Borbidge (Spring-field, junior, catcher) - Cougar standout was excellent defensively and committed no throwing errors... Blocks the plate well... Offensively, improved at the plate and hit .286 with nine RBI... Rarely strikes out... All-Central League Second-Team selection.
Val Turner (Springfield, senior, shortstop) - Cougar infielder was excellent defensively... On offense, batted .224 with five extra-base hits and had two game-winning hits... Led team with 12 walks... A National Honor Society member... Also played tennis for Springfield... Will attend the University of Virginia.
Jess Gallen (Archbishop Prendergast, junior, right field) - Prendie outfielder led the Pandas in runs scored and walks (11)... Second on the team in sacrifices... Moved from infield to the outfield this season and committed no errors... All-Catholic League Second-Team selection.
Bria Scheb (Cardinal O'Hara, sophomore, catcher) - Lion catcher led the team with a .415 average... On base half the time (.500 on-base percentage)... Drove in 12 runs... All-Catholic League Second Team selection... Also played field hockey for O'Hara.
Lauren Schmucker (Cardinal O'Hara, senior, infield) - Lion infielder played shortstop and second base this season... Batted .298... Led team in walks and was second in RBI with 11... On base over half the time with a .526 on-base percentage... Will play softball for the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.
Lauren Pachioli (Archbishop Carroll, junior, third base) - Patriot infielder was second on the team in batting with a .469 average and led the team with 27 RBI... Tied for the team lead with 30 hits... Struck out just twice all season... Very good defensively as well and committed just two errors this season.
Jen Murray (Archbishop Carroll, junior, shortstop) - Patriot infielder batted .431 and scored 10 runs... Also very good defensively and committed just four errors all season.
Jen Cybularz (Archbishop Carroll, junior, second base) - Patriot infielder was batted .462... Led the team with 19 runs scored... Tied for the team lead with 30 hits... Struck out just five times all season... Outstanding defensively and committed no errors this season... As a pitcher, posted a 0.90 ERA... Struck out 25 batters in 31 innings while walking just five.
Sara Jacoby (Archbishop Carroll, junior, center field) - Patriot outfielder batted .361 and was third on the team with 15 RBI... Struck out just four times all year... Very good defensively and played an errorless center field this year.
Catholic League South First Team Sheena Sweeney, Archbishop Carroll (MVP pitcher) Chrissie Wontroba, Archbishop Prendergast Jackie Giacobetti, Cardinal O'Hara (MVP) Tricia Lafferty, St. Maria Goretti Christine McCarty, Cardinal O'Hara Caitlin Miller, West Catholic Tina Szambelaiz, Little Flower Gina Batavick, Hallahan Audrey Braenig, Archbishop Prendergast Jackie Fiorello, Cardinal O'Hara Lyndsy Cannon, Hallahan
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Second Team Mary Mower, Hallahan; Kelly Ann Meehan, O'Hara; Jeannine Mara, Hallahan; Amanda Cellucci, Prendergast; Erin Livingston, Carroll; Jackie Lawson, O'Hara; Amber Caresto, Goretti; Deanna Lane, Prendergast; Sara Shemeld, West Catholic; Lauren Schmukler, O'Hara; Amanda Davis, West Catholic; Jackie Filipone, Little Flower.
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Inter-Academic League First Team Erica Fleming, Germantown Academy Casey Hare, Episcopal Academy Jackie Howard, Notre Dame Melissa Iacobucci, Shipley Kaitlyn Klagholz, Agnes Irwin Lauren Love, Shipley Elizabeth Manning, Penn Charter Erica Miller, Baldwin School Molly Pardue, Notre Dame Allison Pavero, Notre Dame Julie Myers, Shipley Jessica Taylor, Germantown Academy
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Honorable mention Carol Ann Fabbi, Penn Charter; Natalie Georges, Baldwin; Brynn Marks, Episcopal Academy; Joanna Mikhail, Agnes Irwin; Caroline Seider, Penn Charter; Brittany Stepter, Shipley.
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2001 Player of the Year
Kate Reisch - Haverford
First team all delco
kate reisch - haverford - pitcher kate refsnyder - interboro - pitcher sheena sweeney - carroll - pitcher christina baldwin - interboro - catcher robin berry - upper darby - infield jackie elkind - ridley - infield jen beam - chichester - infield erin livinston - carroll - infield michele consorti - garnet valley - outfield tina diferdinando - garnet valley - outfield tara betham - interboro - outfield lindsey field - sun valley - dh
second team all delco
melissa ciurlino - springfield - pitcher crissy wontroba - prendie - pitcher christina ciletti - upper darby - pitcher tracie seagraves - haverford - catcher diana frosch - interboro - infield emily thomas - interboro - infield kate beam - penncrest - infield jackie biacobetti - o'hara - infield mary adam - garnet valley - outfield kyle potter - upper darby - outfield sara jacoby - carroll - outfield brittany teal - marple - dh *************************************************************
first team - all central
kate reisch - pitcher - haverford tracie seagraves - catcher - haverford robin berry - shortstop - upper darby kyle potter - outfielder - upper darby eileen brill - dh - upper darby brittany teal - shortstop - marple beth young - center fielder - marple jackie elkind - 3rd baseman - ridley kristen ryan - catcher - ridley christine joy - outfielder - penncrest kate consorti - utility player - penncrest jackie cifuni - utility player - springfield kate depaul - infield - conestoga kelly zagol - outfield - conestoga
second team - all central
jen riccio - catcher - marple carrie dardine - outfield - marple melissa ciurlino - pitcher - springfield lauren crandley - infield - springfield christina ciletti - pitcher - upper darby kate beam - infield - penncrest gina nardello - infield - penncrest rachel armes - infield - haverford tara colantuono - outfield - haverford amy stankiewicz - outfield - strath haven joyce orobono - dh - ridley heather dilalla - utility player - ridley kara zagol - infield - conestoga
2001 Softball All-Star Team with Prendergast's Crissy Wontroba, Deanna Lane; O'Hara's Kelli Ann Meehan; Haverford's Kate Reisch, Tracie Seagraves, Rachel Armes; Upper Darby's Robin Berry (St. Joseph's), Kyle Potter, Christina Ciletti; Springfield's Val Turner, Lauren Crandley, Melissa Ciurlino. Second team: Springfield's Meghan Borbidge; Marple's Brittany Teal, Erin Duthie; Prendergast's Amanda Cellucci (Albright), Audrey Braeuning (Albright), Kate Douglas; O'Hara's Jackie Giacobetti, Christine McCarty (Albright); Haverford's Tara Colantuono; Upper Darby's Laura Stott.
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