Howard County 2024 high school softball season preview: Reservoir, Glenelg headline a deep county field

Mar. 19—By Jacob Steinberg — jsteinberg@baltsun.com

PUBLISHED:March 19, 2024 at 5:30 a.m.| UPDATED:March 20, 2024 at 12:09 p.m.

Howard County softball graduated a lot of talent from 2023, but also returns a plethora of All-County performers.

Eight of last year's 15 first team All-County selections graduated, but that still leaves several of the county's teams with marquee returners.

Reservoir is projected to be one of the county's top teams coming off a Class 3A state championship appearance. Glenelg, River Hill, Marriotts Ridge and Mt. Hebron are other teams area coaches expect to be near the top of the county standings.

Several other programs could see improvement this year as their younger rosters have built up varsity experience. Regular season action begins Thursday with the playoffs beginning on May 9. The state championships are scheduled for May 24-25 at the University of Maryland.

Howard County's 12 public school varsity teams are split between Class 2A West and 3A South. Glenelg is the county's lone representative in 2A West Region I, while Centennial, Hammond and Wilde Lake are in 2A West Region II. Howard, Long Reach, Marriotts Ridge and Mt. Hebron are part of 3A South Region I, while Atholton, Oakland Mills, Reservoir and River Hill round out the teams in 3A South Region II.

Here is a look at the teams. (Note: Not all teams submitted requests for information)

Atholton

Coach: Kirk Thompson, first season

2023: 4-16

Top returners: Juniors Adara Baldini (INF), Madeline Skaggs (C/IF/OF) and Kamryn Marable (OF).

Newcomers to watch: Sophomore Reagan Law (INF) and freshman Lauren Latour (IF).

On the diamond: Baldini, Skaggs and Marable figure to emerge as leaders for the Raiders after being key contributors as sophomores. Law is back after missing all of last year with an elbow injury while Latour will be another key contributor.

Coach's outlook: "With only two seniors and four freshmen, we are a young team looking to grow this season. I am excited about our player leadership, our work ethic and our players' support for each other. This, along with our talent will contribute to a successful season."

Centennial

Coach: Eddie Fowler, fifth season

2023: 4-14

Top returners: Senior Nicole Cavey (P); juniors Madeline Hall (CF) and Julia Braganca (SS); and sophomore Madaline Reese (3B).

Newcomers to watch: Sophomore Layla Schroyer (OF).

On the diamond: The Eagles are once again a young group and wont field a JV team. However, several of the Eagles have varsity experience, led by Cavey in the circle. Hall, Braganca and Reese will look to build on last year, while Schroyer comes over as a transfer from Marriotts Ridge.

Coach's outlook: "Our young team is ready and building a foundation for years to come. Everyone is excited to see what this year brings."

Glenelg

Coach: Anna Pallozzi, second season

2023: 17-3, Class 2A West Region II finalist

Top returners: Seniors Reese Holden (C) and Jamie Shaw (OF); juniors Bella Wisniewski (P/2B) and Maddie Stouffer (P/1B); and sophomore Rylie Thomas (SS).

Newcomers to watch: Sophomores Katie Ross (OF), Matte Duignan (INF) and Addi Pence (OF).

On the diamond: The Gladiators are bringing back an experienced pitching corps with Wisniewski, a second team All-County selection last year, Stouffer and junior Kaylie Brogan. Glenelg also has a veteran lineup led by Holden, Shaw and Kenzie Mayers. Thomas will be a key part of the infield at short, while Shaw, Ross, Pence and junior Abiola Owens give Glenelg a wealth of speed and range in the outfield.

Coach's outlook: "Between the newcomers and the returners we have this season I am looking forward to a fun season this spring. We are hungry to compete and hope to finish out as one the top teams in Howard County."

Hammond

Coach: Shanya Gordon, first season

2023: 0-19

Top returners: Senior Samara Lenz (P/C) and junior Elsie Butterfield (P).

Newcomers to watch: Junior Layla Walker (2B) and freshman Gabrielle Chillous (P).

On the diamond: Lenz and Butterfield give the Golden Bears some experience in the circle, while Lenz also led Hammond at the plate last season. Sophomore Cassia Biederman is expected to make an impact all over the field as a utility player, while junior Ariana Rodriguez is another pitcher who has the potential to provide more depth.

Coach's outlook: "This team has the potential to build this program up to what it used to be. We have many skillsets and talent to compete with other teams around the county."

Howard

Coach: Chuck Rice, 24th season

2023: 9-12

Top returners: Seniors Nicole Parker, Jordan Howell and Clara O'Connor; sophomores Hadley Coleman and Kirstein Black.

Newcomers to watch: Sophomore Meleah Hannie.

On the diamond: The Lions are returning nine members of last year's team, including four seniors and four juniors. Parker, a Rutgers-Newark commit, is Howard's leader in the circle, while Howell and O'Connor are in their fourth seasons on varsity. Black and Coleman played some of their best softball late season, and Black will share time in the circle with Parker.

Long Reach

Coach: Heather Clausen, fourth season

2023: 12-6

Top returners: Seniors Taylor Slonac (SS), Madison Wise (OF) and Amelia Bross (P/OF); junior Jazmin Yoshimura (OF/2B); and sophomore Jordyn Isom (C).

Newcomers to watch: Freshmen Riley Slonac (P/UTL), Mackenzie Daffan (P/UTL) and Abby Richardson (OF)

On the diamond: Taylor Slonac, the anchor the middle of the infield, possesses great speed on the base paths with 12 stolen bases last season. Wise and Bross return as integral parts of the starting lineup and the outfield. Isom will be Long Reach's No. 1 catcher this season, coming off a second team All-County nod as a freshman. Meanwhile, Riley Slonac, Daffan and Richardson will add an infusion of youth in their first seasons on varsity.

Coach's outlook: "I am looking forward to this season. We have four seniors that are great leaders on the field and four freshman players that are eager to show off their skills. We have a mix between experienced returning varsity players and new eager athletes. They are ready this season to show off their skills and win some games."

Marriotts Ridge

Coach: Renard Parson, 11th season

2023: 12-7, 3A East Region I finalist

Top returners: Senior Jasmine Smith (P/SS/OF) and Brynne Mellady (C); junior Olivia Ober (P/IF); and sophomore Gianna Peluso (OF).

On the diamond: Smith is coming off a strong junior season with a .417 average and 20 stolen bases. Mellady hit .404 as a junior and is the leader of the Mustangs defense from behind the plate. Ober finished with a 1.80 ERA last year, while Peluso is coming off a five-home run freshman season. Jasmin Kirkland, Giuliana Marsili, Sienna Williams and Ava Hammer are also expected to make an added impact.

Coach's outlook: "We should finish in the top half of the county. We will need to shore up our defense up the middle and will need to increase our team batting average and our offensive production throughout the lineup to make a deep run in the playoffs. Our pitching depth is something that most teams around the county don't have so it will be a matter of keeping teams off balance and pounding the strike zone and allowing our defense to work."

Mt. Hebron

Coach: Mark Graydon, eighth season

2023: 6-11

Top returners: Senior Kathrine Williams (LF); sophomores Abby Magdar (P), Kaelyn Cisna (SS) and Danielle Green (C).

Newcomer to watch: Sophomore Alyssa Perez (2B)

On the diamond: The Vikings are one of Howard County's younger teams, but many of the now sophomores gained valuable time on varsity last year. Magdar, Cisna and Green all started last year and will look to build on their freshman seasons. Williams is the veteran of the group and her leadership will be key for the young Vikings.

Coach's outlook: "As a young team last year (eight freshman) we had some challenges that needed to be addressed and I believe that over the summer months and during the practice weeks the players have made the necessary improvements and adjustments that will make them very competitive in the county."

Oakland Mills

Coach: Sherwin Maggay, first season

2023: 1-17

Top returners: Seniors Paige Andrews (P/OF/UTL) and Viky Valverde (P/SS/UTL); junior Sophia Chapman (P/OF/INF); and sophomore Tanvi Kalia (C/3B).

Newcomer to watch: Sophomore Kimari Taylor (C/INF)

On the diamond: Andrews returns as a first team All-County performer last year with a team-best .543 average and 25 hits. Valverde is back as a defensive anchor, while Chapman headlines the pitching staff as a three-year varsity starter. Kalia started as a freshman, while Taylor is making the leap from JV last year. Senior second baseman Daniela Cifuentes and left fielder Darlene Lee will be key defensively as well.

Coach's outlook: "As the coach, I'm truly excited about our young varsity team's potential to compete and excel defensively. With five players bringing travel softball experience to the table, our batting lineup is shaping up to be strong. Our team has also welcomed a new senior pitcher to our roster, complementing the two returning pitchers from last season. This addition has solidified our pitching rotation, ensuring that we have a reliable option for every game. With this depth in our pitching staff, we anticipate keeping our opponents on their toes and swinging for the fences or missing for Ks.

"What's even more promising is the positive attitude and teamwork mindset displayed by each player during our preseason interviews. It's very clear that everyone is fully committed to the team's success. With this level of dedication and talent, I anticipate multiple victories for us this high school softball season."

Reservoir

Coach: Julie Frisvold, 18th season

2023 : 23-1, Howard County Champion, 3A state runner-up

Top returners: Seniors Michelle Mason (C/OF) and Andaiye Smith (P/IF); juniors Abbie Frisvold (P/UTL), Cambell Sagin (1B) and Shelby Granzow (SS).

On the diamond: Despite losing Maggie Frisvold and Courtney Johnson to graduation, the Gators return a plethora of talent. Mason is moving from the outfield to be the primary catcher, while Smith, a Howard University commit, is back healthy after being limited by injury last season. Abbie Frisvold will split time in the circle after hitting a school record .621 last year with 23 extra-base hits and 48 RBIs. Sagin hit six home runs last year and registered a school-record 50 RBIs, while Granzow also hit over .400 last season. Sophomores Catherine Yourishin and Keira will look to build on strong freshman seasons, both hitting over .460.

Coach's outlook: "We are thrilled to have many of our players back this year. However, our focus is on discovering our new identity and maintaining our playing style. The team can achieve success by accepting the challenge of identifying their core values and adopting a collaborative mindset."

River Hill

Coach: Marni Rosenbaum, 19th season

2023: 13-6

Top returners: Senior Lux Sheplee (P/2B); juniors Zoe Pachoca (SS) and Katarina Thompson (P/1B); sophomores Annie Levine (P/1B), Brooke Blakeslee (OF/3B) and Mary Maiorana (C).

Newcomers to watch: N/A

On the diamond: Pachoca is coming off a strong sophomore season where she had a team-leading 32 RBIs and 31 runs scored, also hitting .422. Levine, Blakeslee and Maiorana headline a strong sophomore class in their second season on varsity. Thompson and Sheplee were two of the team leaders in batting average last year, with Thompson hitting .462.

Coach's outlook: "We lost two, four-year varsity starters, but we return six players from last year's team. We have a strong core and many of our players are returning to a program that they are familiar with. We look to again be very versatile with girls playing multiple positions and I'm excited to see how much we grow over the season and improve. Annie Levine and Katarina Thompson look to lead the hawks from the mound and Zoe Pachoca and Lux Sheplee return to the middle infield for a third year together."

Wilde Lake

Coach: Tee Dronenburg, 14th season

2023: 14-5, 3A East Region II Finalist

Top returners: Seniors Keira Kusmaul (1B), Lea Russo (2B), Jayden LaFavors (3B), Katherine Barger (OF) and Selena Martinez (OF).

Newcomers to watch: Freshmen Allison Bickerton (P/SS) and Olivia Bixler (C/SS/OF).

On the diamond: The Wildecats lost several impactful players from last year's team, but the five seniors are expected to lead this year's group. Beyond Bickerton and Bixler, Ainslee Torres returns for her junior season after playing on junior varsity as a freshman.

Coach's outlook: "We graduated eight players from last season's starting nine; three of those players were pitchers and five are now playing at the collegiate level. So, we are a very new team this season. However, our entire group has prior playing experience from either the JV, varsity, or travel level, so we have a solid starting point to build off of. Many team members played together at the JV level and work well as a team.

"I'm very excited about the team dynamics and camaraderie that has already been on display. The team likes each other, roots for each other and are working together for a common goal: getting 1% better every day. We are really honing in on fundamentals and doing the little things right. I believe that hitting will be our strength this year, as we have a solid top of the line-up that will be able to get on base, and above-average speed. I know the girls are excited to get out there and show how hard they have been working."

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