LINWOOD – Mainland Regional is hoping that a better start to the softball season this year will lead to bigger returns at the end after a 10-11 record in 2023.
Behind four-year starters Bella D’Agostino at pitcher and Denver Obermeyer in the infield, the Mustangs are hoping they can start where they left off last year in winning four of the last six games while taking No. 2-seeded Moorestown to 10 innings in the Group III South Jersey quarterfinals before falling.
“We were playing some really good softball down the stretch of the season,” Mainland softball coach Brian Smith said. “We’re hoping we can carry that through to this year. We are hoping to start off with some momentum and feed off those other teams.”
Obermeyer was part of Mainland’s volleyball team, which won the Group III South Jersey title for the first time in program history in the fall. The Mainland girls basketball team is coming off of a state championship a few weeks ago.
Smith said there is a lot of optimism on campus that they would like to keep that successful streak going in the spring. He said Mainland softball, though, will go as far as D’Agostino and Obermeyer can take them.
“They are both four-year starters so they bring a lot of experience,” Smith said. “Now in their senior years, we hope they bring a lot of leadership to this team. Bella has been one of the top pitchers in the (Cape-Atlantic League) for several years. We expect her to continue that and have a tremendous year.
“Denver had a great year as a sophomore. We’re looking for her to play that all-around game and lead us in the field. She’s having a great pre-season with the bat so we’re looking for her to be the spark and run-producer in our lineup this year.”
Shortstop will be a new full-time position for Obermeyer, who was Mainland’s full-time first baseman her freshman year and then moved over to third base for the past two seasons.
“Rayna Molina had been playing shortstop for us the past couple of years and she’s now graduated,” Smith said. “Denver is looking forward to filling those shoes and anchoring our infield at shortstop this year.”
Smith said when it comes to leadership, D’Agostino and Obermeyer will provide the Mustangs with different looks.
“I believe Denver is more vocal,” Smith said. “Bella leads more by example in letting her performance in the circle speak for her. I will say that both of them have a love for the game. It’s something they share and it shines through in each of their games.
“They love to play the game and when things are going well they have smiles on their faces. That joy for the game spread through the team. It infects the whole team.”
Bella Barretta is also a four-year letter winner for Mainland while another senior, Bella Virgili, had to undergo a knee operation and will miss most of the season.
“[Baretta] has been a quieter part of our team who has had an impact and is kind of one of those unsung players,” Smith said. “Bella Virgili, our fourth senior, just had knee surgery. We’re hoping that there’s good news from that. There is a slight chance she can come back before the end of the season.
“We’re going to miss her. She was someone as a junior who really stepped up for us. She was not well-known when she stepped up and was a middle-of-the-order hitter for us so we’re going to certainly miss that. Replacing that will be tough to do.”
Smith said many of the new starters will be playing their most extensive time ever at the varsity level and admitted some of the experience will come “trial by fire” as they are put into positions to produce.
One sophomore who earned valuable experience starting as a freshman last year was Bella Scittina. Smith said she will be leaned on to add some offense to the Mustangs lineup as well as take a key defensive position.
“Bella will be our catcher and hit No. 3 in our lineup,” Smith said. “We’re looking for her to open a lot of eyes this year. She is extremely solid behind the plate and has a powerful bat. She’s going to need to step up for us and be a key to our offense.”
Junior Leiloni Deleon-Carney, who mostly played junior varsity last year, will take over at first base for the Mustangs. Smith said she has the capability of being a key offensive contributor.
“She had a few at-bats for us last year on the varsity level,” he said. “I think she’s going to be a surprise this year. She’s a strong girl with a lot of power in the bat. We’re looking for her to open some eyes.”
Sophomore Kaia Bergman, who saw limited varsity experience a year ago, will take over full-time duties at second base.
Smith said rebuilding the infield will be one of the keys to watch for his team this year as they work on replacing three starters.
“Replacing three infielders is going to be tough to do,” Smith said. “There’s a lot of experience that we lost and we’re going to need a lot of these younger girls to pick up the slack.”
Smith said two more freshmen will likely break through the starting lineup. While he said they have the skills to help the Mustangs, he wants them to spend time learning how the play the game at a high level from the veterans.
“I don’t want to put too much pressure on them but they are both promising young players,” Smith said.
He said the Cape-Atlantic League is always hard with traditional tough teams like Cedar Creek and Egg Harbor Township, which Mainland will face early. He said those games, along with the traditional rival contest against Ocean City, will be great measuring stick games that will prepare the Mustangs for the post-season.
– By CLYDE HUGHES/For the Sentinel