H.S. softball: South Jersey's Mean 15 preseason rankings for '25

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Softball is back across South Jersey.

As the teams take the field this week, we take a look at some of the top teams in the region.

Here are our preseason rankings:

South Jersey Mean 15 preseason rankings​

1. Kingsway (Last year’s record: 23-3; ranking: 3). The Dragons return a solid core from last season’s sectional semifinal squad. Great lineup with plenty of experience hitters, including reigning Player of the Year Hannah Weismer. Tough schedule early as Kingsway will play Vineland, GCIT, Egg Harbor Township in the first three games and await a prime-time showdown in Holy City against No. 4 Gloucester on April 5.
2. St. Joseph (21-9, 4). The Wildcats will have a new battery, but junior pitcher Elaina Portalatin and sophomore catcher Riley Hunter have the skill to keep the team charged up. The Wildcats are the early favorite in what could be one of the Garden State’s toughest divisions – the Cape-Atlantic League American.
3. Vineland (26-3, 1). The Fighting Clan will have to replace some huge numbers in their lineup left by graduation, but the team processes a solid defensive group and one of the top players in the state in senior Leah Mears. If the pitching can take another step forward, Vineland will remain in the upper echelon of teams in South Jersey.
4. Gloucester (21-5, 5). The defending state Group 1 champs return a productive nucleus from that group. Along with Bailey Schoenfeldt and Ava Rodgers, the lineup has plenty of punch with Katelyn Zearfoss (.318 BA, 27 hits) and Gabbie Maldonado (.274, 17).
5. Northern Burlington (23-5, 6). The Greyhounds advanced to the Central Jersey Group 4 final last season and don’t be surprised if the team makes a return trip later this spring. With a ton of speed and power in the lineup and an ace in the circle, there’s plenty to like about this squad.
6. Egg Harbor Township (20-10, 2). The Eagles have reached the 20-win plateau in four straight seasons. Is a fifth on the way? EHT will have some key players to replace, but the Eagles always find a way to stay among the elite squads in South Jersey.
7. Cinnaminson (19-9, 11). After strong back-to-back seasons, the Buccos are no longer a surprise to anyone in South Jersey. Cinnaminson boasts a lineup with seven returning starters who produced 20-or-more hits last spring. Throw in ace Hannah Derbyshire and the Pirates appear ready to sail into championship waters.
8. Cherokee (15-9-1, 13). The Chiefs gained some valuable experience last spring and looked prime for a huge season. The team has depth in the circle and a lineup three players who had 30 or more hits last season in Luci Dandrea, Jordan Hreben and Kasey McNee.
9. Ocean City (17-10, NR). Keep an eye on the Red Raiders, who boast a solid 1-2 punch in the circle and plenty of production in their lineup. The team has won 37 games combined in the last two seasons following a 5-15 record in 2022.
10. Eastern (18-7, NR). The Vikings have increased their win total in each of the last three seasons, a span that has taken them from five to 18 victories. Will the trend continue? Armed with one of the state’s best pitchers in Sami Wakeley, the 20-win plateau is well within reach for this group.
11. Haddon Township (21-7, 10). Under new coach Pam McCabe, the Hawks will look to take flight again this spring. The team boasts one of South Jersey’s best two-way players in Jordan Strauss, but has plenty of depth in its lineup with senior Jamie Kozarski and juniors Julie Broderick and Mikayla Callahan.
12. Delsea (18-5, NR). If there’s one team you don’t want to get into a slugfest with, it’s the Crusaders. Delsea still packs plenty of punch with junior Juliana Baez and seniors Brianna Burke and Elle Coesfield, a trio that combined for 12 homers.
13. Audubon (18-6, 12). The Green Wave have been a model of consistency over the last seven seasons, producing 17 or more wins in each campaign before encountering rough waters in the postseason. A solid lineup with hitting machine Emma Speyerer leading the way, Audubon will look to take the next step this season.
14. Paul VI (20-9, 7). The Eagles have won 60 games in the last three years combined. Look for Paul VI to keep the winning ways going. The Eagles have plenty of firepower in their lineup with junior Danielle Audet (50 hits, .549 batting average) and seniors Camryn Harry (41, .461) and Quinn Cunningham (31, .360).
15. Rancocas Valley (13-14, NR). The Red Devils absorbed some growing pains along the way last spring, but the team will look to turn those bruises into muscle in ’25. RV’s offense is powered by senior Katie Dick and junior Ava Sweet, a duo that each hit over .400 last season.

Tom McGurk is a regional sports editor for the Courier-Post, The Daily Journal and Burlington County Times, covering South Jersey sports for over 35 years. If you have a sports story that needs to be told, contact him by email [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @McGurkSports. Help support local journalism with a digital subscription.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: South Jersey Mean 15 softball preseason rankings for 2025 season

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