PITMAN — Rowan garnered nine of the 10 possible first place votes and is predicted to win the NJAC title this season based on preseason polling of the league's 10 head coaches. The Profs, ranked No. 3 in the NFCA preseason poll, are fresh off a run to third place in the 2024 NCAA national championship tournament.
TCNJ picked up one first place vote and is predicted to finish second and Ramapo is predicted third. Stockton, Kean, and Montclair State are also predicted to qualify for the six-team playoff by the end of the season. Rutgers-Camden - this year's dark horse - along with William Paterson, Rutgers-Newark, and NJCU round out the 10-team poll.
This year's NJAC softball tournament is slated to begin on Tuesday, April 29, at campus sites. The second round is set for Saturday, May 3, with all teams traveling to Kean. The tournament continues on Tuesday, May 6, at the highest remaining seed and wraps up with the finals on May 9-10 at the highest remaining seed.
NJAC Softball Preseason Poll
(first place votes in parentheses)
- Rowan (9)
- TCNJ (1)
- Ramapo
- Stockton
- Kean
- Montclair State
- Rutgers-Camden (dark horse)
- William Paterson
- Rutgers-Newark
- NJCU
KEAN
Kean looks to be in the hunt once again this year after going 13-5 in conference play with 29 overall wins last year. Although the Cougars need to replace the services of three All-Conference honorees in Eliza Filus, Melody Caces, and Karly Messina, they return a solid core of players. NJAC All-Conference First Team pick Maya Thompson is back to lead the offense. She posted the third-highest conference-only batting average and slugging percentage in the NJAC last year while posting a league-best 26 hits against league opponents. Nikki Lusnia, a Second Team honoree last year, will prowl the circle again. She got in 61 innings of work in NJAC play last year, with seven wins, and ranked third among league pitchers in conference-only strikeouts. With two all-conference honorees and a number of experienced returners and key newcomers, Kean is poised for a solid 2025 season.
Newcomers to Watch: Gina Mahlik (SS; Bernards HS), Kylie Petak (C/3B; North Hunterdon HS)
Head Coach Margie Acker: "Defensively, we will be looking for strong performances in the circle from Nikki Lusnia and battery mate Andee Perseponko. Our offense will be anchored by All-Conference returner Maya Thompson. Look for strong performances from newcomers Gina Mahlik and Kylie Petak, who will play a tremendous role defensively as well as provide an offensive spark."
MONTCLAIR STATE
The Red Hawks look to move up in the NJAC standings this year with a number of key returning players. First Team All-Conference outfielder Rileigh Glynn is the leading returning hitter, posting a .342 average last year with 41 hits, eight RBI, and a team-best 29 stolen bases. She is joined by outfielder Madison Leech and catcher Katie Brunner, who bring solid bats after both hitting north of .300 last year. Sage Rizzi will handle the majority of the pitching duties; she posted six wins with a 2.79 ERA and team-best 56 strikeouts last season.
Newcomers to Watch: Bella Bucy (P; Indiana University of Pennsylvania), Sophia Alonso (OF; Monmouth Regional HS)
Head Coach Nicole Degenhardt: "We are super excited to kick off the 2025 season! With a lot of new players in the program, the energy has been outstanding, and we're focused on getting 1% better every day while enjoying the process. Looking forward to great things from this team as we grow and compete!"
NJCU
The Gothic Knights are excited for their season and look to continue to improve in the deep NJAC. Senior shortstop Jordan Mendolla returns after hitting .322 last year and ranking within the top 10 in the NJAC in on-base percentage. Senior first base player Jaelynn Barrios provides another offensive spark, hitting .300 last season. Senior Mya Villanueva is back at third base and classmate Abigail Castro will be behind the plate once again, as the Knights look to their senior class for leadership. They will, however, need to find a solid pitcher to step up this year with no returning starters in the circle.
Newcomers to Watch: Meaghan Doyle (CF/SS; Barre, MA/Quabbin Regional HS), Elyze Lopez (P/OF; Granada Hills, CA/John F. Kennedy)
Head Coach Ashley Martinez: "NJCU expects to compete with the powerhouses of the NJAC this year. Each and every game we are going to continue to deliver to the best of our ability."
RAMAPO
Ramapo is fresh off a 32-win season and went 14-4 in NJAC play last year. The Roadrunners lost a core group of that squad to graduation, but have plenty of key returning players to make another run. Chief among them is three-time all-conference power-hitter Katie Rygiel. Last season she batted .444 with a .669 slugging percentage, ranking third in the NJAC in both categories. She posted a league-high 71 hits and belted a league-high 18 doubles. She is joined by All-Conference Second Team pick Hannah Hensler along with fellow experienced players Avery Kontura and Ysabellah Otero. Second Team honoree Marissa DiPaolo is back in the circle after leading all NJAC pitchers last year in opponent batting average while posting the conference's third-lowest overall ERA of 1.39. The Roadrunners have another solid pitching option in Kassy Stefanski, who ranked seventh in the NJAC with a 1.86 ERA, sixth with 100 strikeouts, and tied for third in overall wins (15).
Newcomers to Watch: Rebecca Airel (C; Immaculata HS), Emily Ehrmann (1B; Point Pleasant HS), Sonali Rodriguez (OF; Cherry Hill HS West)
Head Coach Bridgette Quimpo: "We lost an impactful senior class both on and off the field but we return an experienced and hungry team that went to the NJAC Finals and NCAA Regionals. This year we are looking to breakthrough since we have learned so much as a result of those experiences."
ROWAN
Rowan is coming off a thrilling season that saw the Profs advance to the national championship tournament and finish third overall in the country. The Profs posted 41 wins and went 16-2 in NJAC play to win the regular season and tournament title. The squad is loaded with All-Conference talent once again, including a pair of First Team pitchers in Rylee Lutz and Emily McCutcheon. Lutz is a three-time All-Conference pick and was the 2023 Pitcher of the Year. They are supported by a power-hitting lineup, including three-time All-Conference honorees Payton MacNair and Liz McCaffery along with two-time All-Conference pick McKenzie Melvin. All three were among the NJAC's top 10 in several offensive categories, led by McCaffery's team-best .396 batting average and .500 on-base percentage.
Newcomers to Watch: Makayla Veneziale (P; Manhattan College), Beth Doderer (P/UT; Central Regional HS), Sofia McBride (UT; Parsippany HS)
Head Coach Kim Wilson: "We are looking forward to continue building on last season's success. We return a large part of our roster from last year that has postseason experience, and our rookies have been working hard every day in practice - I am looking forward to seeing the team grow and compete together this year. We have a group with talent and experience, and I am excited to see what this season will bring."
RUTGERS-CAMDEN
Rutgers-Camden looks to get into the playoff hunt again this season after qualifying as the No. 6 seed last year. Although the Scarlet Raptors lost two All-Conference players in Kamryn Kennedy and Alexa McNee to graduation, there is a solid group of returning players with experience to make a run at it this year. Headlining the group is reigning NJAC Rookie of the Year and All-Conference Second Team pitcher Sammie Friel. The lefty was ranked fourth overall and best among freshmen last year in opposing batting average, and also was fifth overall and first among rookies in strikeouts (107) and strikeouts looking (33). The Raptors also welcome back a pair of experienced infielders in Luci Hutchinson and Alana Gannon along with outfielder Emily Dubiago. Dubiago can move baserunners, ranking tied for second in sac bunts last year. She also batted north of .300. Gannon and Hutchinson also bring solid bats, as Hutchinson led the Raptors in RBI last year and Gannon led in doubles.
Newcomers to Watch: Molly Skelly (RHP; Goldey-Beacom College), Ryleigh Lender (OF; Cherokee HS), Madi Carr (INF/C; Centenary University)
Head Coach Meredith McCarthy: "I think the success and experience this young group gained last season by qualifying for the NJAC tournament has set the standard for our program. With that being said, last season is in the past and as proud as we were to finish in the top six, we are focused on getting better and looking for more this time around."
RUTGERS-NEWARK
Rutgers-Newark seeks to move up the standings this year with an experienced group of returners along with a large talented incoming class. Keelin O'Brien was a Second Team All-Conference pick last year in the outfield, and also batted a hair under .300 while posting the highest number of RBI on the team. Marissa Houseknecht returns after hitting .302 last year and leading the team in total hits and doubles. Kalyna Figol also brings a solid bat, going .271 last year with 23 hits. Madison Umlauf will once again handle the majority of the pitching duties; she logged nearly 100 innings last year along with eight complete game efforts.
Newcomers to Watch: Mia Aquino (P; Passaic Valley HS), Charli Peter (P; Pope John XXIII Regional HS), Kristin Kloss (INF; Bayport-Blue Point HS (NY)), Maddy Haack (INF; Mercy College), Ellery Mahoney (OF; Pennsbury HS (PA))
Head Coach Jaclyn Davis: "We are looking forward to a great season building off of our foundation with the addition of a strong freshmen class and the experience of our dedicated returners. We expect to be competitive in and out of conference and hope to make a playoff push!"
STOCKTON
The Ospreys aim for another run at the conference tournament after going 13-5 in league play last year and putting up 24 wins. They have the personnel to do just that, with the return of reigning NJAC Pitcher of the Year and two-time All-Conference pick Nerina Tramp along with three-time All-Conference selection Charli Czaczkowski and fellow All-Conference pick Alexa Panagopoylos. Tramp registered 158 strikeouts last year to rank second overall while recording a 1.70 overall ERA and 0.97 conference-only ERA. She posted a league-best 79 strikeouts against NJAC opponents. Czaczkowski ranked sixth among all NJAC players in conference-only batting average, hitting .418 with a .600 slugging percentage. Panagopoylos was also among the NJAC's top 10 in slugging percentage last year with a .538 clip. Emily Spencer also brings back experience at second base and also ranked second in the NJAC with 15 doubles last year. The Ospreys welcome Emma Coldsnow, a transfer from powerhouse Salisbury, who hit .280 last season on a team that advanced to the Super Regionals.
Newcomer to Watch: Emma Coldsnow (C; Salisbury University)
Head Coach Mav Hering: "We have a strong core of returners in key positions and have added some new young talent. This senior class has really stepped up as leaders and mentors on and off the field. We are excited to see what this group can achieve this season."
TCNJ
The Lions are typically in the hunt for an NJAC trophy and this year should be no different with a slew of multi-year All-Conference honorees back. Kaci Neveling, a four-time All-Conference pick, ranked sixth in overall batting average last year (.395), fifth in slugging percentage, and third in runs scored (47), while outpacing the rest of the conference by far with 42 stolen bases. Two-time All-Conference selection Julia Kinnally is among the conference's top returning hitters as well after she went .374 against NJAC opponents last year and was tied for fourth in conference-only doubles with 13. McKayla Yard, a 2023 Second Team pick, has been solid contributor in all her years for the Lions and was one of the top players last year at driving in runs with 23 RBI. Two-time All-Conference pitcher and 2023 Rookie of the Year Elizabeth Gosse will be in the circle once again. She posted the lowest conference-only ERA (0.86) among league pitchers last year while holding opponents to just .197 against her. Maya Knasiak will also be back in the circle after ranking second in the NJAC in conference-only strikeouts last year (70).
Newcomers to Watch: Grace Bouillard (C; Hillsborough HS), Olivia Santos (OF; St. John Vianney HS), Jess Sciafani (INF; Manalapan HS)
Head Coach Sally Miller: "We have a lot of experienced players returning with some inexperience at pivotal positions that we need to settle in at. We will be challenged with a completely different pre-conference schedule than in past years. We are excited to start our game schedule and grow as a team with every opportunity we get to compete."
WILLIAM PATERSON
William Paterson welcomes head coach Kathy Hill for this season, who takes over a squad looking to improve on last year's record. She will have a core group of seniors to provide the leadership spark, including utility player Lauren Hutchison, catcher Kylie Bythrow, outfielder Courtney Schwark, and pitcher Lindsey Acker. Hutchison, Bythrow, and Schwark are experienced starters, and Acker looks to step in after limited action last season. Junior Lilah Guthy is also back with plenty of experience. She posted a .316 batting average with six RBI and was also the team's primary pitcher. She hurled over 90 innings last year.
Newcomers to Watch: Brandi Shortway (OF; Midland Park HS), Grace Abraham (3B; Hackensack HS)
Head Coach Kathy Hill: "William Paterson Softball is expecting to take the field giving each team in the NJAC close, competitive games this season. We will be building on what we have and looking to re-establish the strength of the program."