Landmark Conference 2025 Softball season preview

2024 Recap

Mother Nature threw a curveball at the Landmark Conference Softball Tournament, forcing the originally scheduled three-day event into an intense two-day battle. Despite the condensed schedule, Moravian University persevered to claim its 11th conference title last spring.

The Greyhounds opened the tournament Saturday with a pair of hard-fought victories, edging Lycoming College 3-2 and Catholic University 2-1 to secure a spot in championship Sunday. Meanwhile, Catholic and Lycoming both faced elimination but kept their seasons alive with wins over Juniata—Catholic prevailing 3-1 and Lycoming dominating in an 8-0 shutout.

Sunday’s action saw Lycoming continue its momentum with a commanding 10-0 victory over Catholic, setting up a title clash with Moravian.

In the championship game, Moravian struck first, plating two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Sage Snyder led off with a single and promptly stole second. After an out, Ajala Elmore ripped an RBI double to right field to bring Snyder home. Sydney Andrews followed with an RBI double of her own, pushing Moravian’s lead to 2-0.

Lycoming responded in the top of the sixth, trimming the deficit to 2-1 with an RBI double. However, Moravian answered in the bottom half of the frame. Snyder ignited the rally with a leadoff triple, and Emily Silberman reached on an error. Cassandra Farrell entered as a pinch runner before Elmore delivered the decisive blow—a towering three-run homer to left field.

For her clutch performance, Elmore was named the 2024 Landmark Conference Tournament Most Valuable Player. She finished the tournament 4-for-9 at the plate with three runs, four RBI, a double, and a home run, all while making several stellar defensive plays at second base.

PRESEASON POLL

After securing its 11th Landmark Conference title last spring, Moravian University enters the 2025 season as the favorite to repeat, earning the top spot in the Landmark Softball Preseason Poll. The Greyhounds collected 64 points and received eight first-place votes.

Catholic University follows in second place with 55 points and the remaining first-place vote. Susquehanna University (43 points) and Juniata College (40 points) round out the top four, with Lycoming College—last year’s runner-up—close behind in fifth at 39 points.

Drew University (29 points) and Wilkes University (28 points) sit in the middle of the pack, while the University of Scranton (16 points) and Elizabethtown College (10 points) complete the preseason rankings.

CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY

  • Head Coach: Sophie Maccarone (2nd Season)
  • 2024 Record: 28-15 (10-6 Landmark)

After another strong season that saw Catholic University notch a 28-15 overall record and a 10-6 mark in Landmark Conference play, the Cardinals are poised to contend once again in 2025. Catholic made its 13th straight trip to the Landmark Conference Tournament last spring and will look to extend that streak with a mix of veteran leadership and emerging talent.

The Cardinals return several impact players, led by Katie Scolese, a Second-Team All-Landmark selection last season. She’ll be a key piece in the infield following the departures of First-Team selection Sophia Fike and Honorable Mention honoree Mia Szap, who was also named Landmark Rookie of the Year.

In the circle, Catholic brings back an experienced pitching staff, headlined by Aubrynn Arcement, a First-Team All-Landmark selection last season. She’s joined by Alex Pley and Olivia Stinchcomb, who add depth both as pitchers and utility players. Amy Gastright, an Honorable Mention selection a year ago, also returns to provide a reliable bat in the lineup.

DREW UNIVERSITY

  • Head Coach Erica Mehalick (8th Season)
  • 2024 Record: 22-16 (8-8 Landmark)

After posting a 22-16 record and an 8-8 mark in Landmark Conference play last spring, Drew University enters the 2025 season looking to take the next step in conference contention. With a strong core of returners and key experience in the lineup, the Rangers are poised for another competitive campaign.

Drew brings back an experienced group, led by Teagan Bradley and Allie Porbansky in the circle. Mackenzie Pisani, an Honorable Mention All-Landmark selection last season, provides a steady presence at first base, while Fran O'Kleasky, also an Honorable Mention pick, returns to anchor the infield. Hailey Meierhofer, Delaney O'Donoghue, Josie Di Troia, and Olivia Magliacano round out a deep group of returners.

The Rangers will need to replace two key contributors from last season, including Madi Baldwin, a Second-Team All-Landmark selection, and Molly O'Brien. O'Brien was a two-time Landmark Player of the Year and a two-time First-Team All-Landmark selection, becoming just the third player in league history to win back-to-back Player of the Year honors. She also leaves Drew as the Landmark’s all-time stolen base leader with 93 swipes.

ELIZABETHTOWN COLLEGE

  • Head Coach: Bekah Slattery (3rd Season)
  • 2024 Record: 9-27 (3-13 Landmark)

Elizabethtown College enters the 2025 season aiming to build on its experience and improve upon last year’s 9-27 record (3-13 Landmark).

The Blue Jays return several key contributors, including Brooke Huczko, a Second-Team All-Landmark selection, and Hannah Long, an Honorable Mention pick. Kristen Aydelotte and Gianna Anzideo also return to provide leadership and depth.

Now in her third season at the helm, head coach Bekah Slattery leads a young roster featuring nine first-years, eight sophomores, five juniors, and just two seniors. With a strong underclassmen group and experienced returners setting the tone, the Blue Jays will look to take a step forward in a competitive Landmark Conference.

JUNIATA COLLEGE

  • Head Coach: McKenna Garlock (3rd Season)
  • 2024 Record: 18-19 (10-6 Landmark)

After finishing 18-19 (10-6 Landmark) and securing a spot in the conference tournament, Juniata heads into 2025 looking to build on its first full-season postseason appearance since 2017.

The Eagles are led by reigning Landmark Coach of the Year McKenna Garlock and return several key contributors, including First-Team selections Ali Superka and Alex Douglass, as well as Second-Team honorees Morgan Brumbaugh and Jessie Hunt. Claire Thomas also returns after earning Honorable Mention recognition last season.

Juniata brings a balanced roster into the season, featuring four first-years, six sophomores, four juniors, seven seniors, and two graduate students. The mix of experience and young talent should help the Eagles remain competitive as they look to build on last year's success. While they’ll need to replace key departures in Kassandra Roush, Lauren Fisher, and Caleigh Love, Juniata has the pieces in place to stay in the Landmark postseason picture.

LYCOMING COLLEGE

  • Head Coach: Melissa Montoro (12th Season)
  • 2024 Record: 18-16 (8-8 Landmark)

In its first season as a member of the Landmark Conference, Lycoming finished 18-16 (8-8 Landmark) and made an impressive run to the championship game as the No. 5 seed. The Warriors now look to build on that success in 2025 with a solid core of returners leading the way.

Avery Eiswerth, a First-Team All-Landmark utility player, headlines the group, along with Rachel Daub, a Second-Team selection behind the plate. Claire Alexander, Alex Eckerson, Mallory Rodarmel, and Hailee Sobieski also return to give Lycoming experience across the diamond.

The Warriors will have to replace Kylie Russell, Kylie Segraves, and Rachel DeWolfe—with DeWolfe earning Honorable Mention All-Conference honors last season—but with a strong returning lineup, Lycoming is well positioned to make another run in the postseason.

MORAVIAN UNIVERSITY

  • Head Coach: Josh Baltz (3rd Season)
  • 2024 Record: 31-10 (13-3 Landmark)

After claiming the 2024 Landmark Conference title and finishing with a 31-10 (13-3 Landmark) record, Moravian returns a deep and talented roster as it looks to defend its championship. Head coach Josh Baltz, last year’s Landmark Coach of the Year, brings back a strong core, including multiple All-Conference selections.

Marcie Silberman, who set the Landmark single-season home run record with 16, headlines the returners after earning First-Team honors, along with Lindsey Gawrys, Ajala Elmore, and Sage Snyder. Sarah DeStefano and Shayla Morgan earned Second-Team recognition, while Sydney Andrews was an Honorable Mention pick. In the circle, Natalie Otto returns after a Second-Team All-Conference season, alongside Kyra Holtje.

The Greyhounds will need to replace Madi Cunningham, a Second-Team selection, and Emily Silberman, a First-Team honoree, but with an experienced lineup and a deep pitching staff, Moravian is well-positioned to remain at the top of the Landmark Conference.

UNIVERSITY OF SCRANTON

  • Head Coach: Caitlyn Seamster (4th Season)
  • 2024 Record: 21-19 (4-12 Landmark)

After finishing 21-19 (4-12 Landmark) in 2024, the University of Scranton is focused on getting back to the Landmark Conference Tournament after missing the postseason last year. The Royals return a strong core, including Celia Totaro, an Honorable Mention All-Landmark selection, along with Kylie Rochford and pitchers Juliana Janezic and Carley Noble to provide stability on both sides of the ball.

Scranton will have to replace Sarah Stepnowski, a four-time All-Conference selection and the Landmark’s all-time triples leader (20), as well as Jessica Stadler.

However, fourth-year head coach Caitlyn Seamster adds seven first-years to the roster, joining a group that includes six sophomores, four juniors, and five seniors ready to fight for a spot in the Landmark postseason.

SUSQUEHANNA UNIVERSITY

  • Head Coach: Caressa DeRossett (3rd Season)
  • 2024 Record: 19-18 (9-7 Landmark)

Susquehanna heads into the 2025 season looking to build on last year’s Landmark Conference Tournament appearance, returning a strong core while adding 12 first-years under Coach DeRossett.

First-Team All-Landmark shortstop Lexi Palumbo anchors the infield alongside Katelyn Dugery and Hannah Roland, providing leadership on both sides of the ball. Brianna Jones and Amanda Amerman return to lead the pitching staff, bringing experience and consistency to the circle.

Offensively, Palumbo, Dugery, and Emily Deitch will be key contributors as the River Hawks aim to remain in the postseason mix.

WILKES UNIVERSITY

  • Head Coach: Jackie Klahold (6th Season)
  • 2024 Record: 21-15 (7-9 Landmark)

Wilkes enters the 2025 season aiming to build on last year’s 21-15 campaign, returning key contributors while looking to stay competitive in the Landmark Conference.

Reigning Landmark Pitcher of the Year Lauren DeMarco headlines the Colonels’ roster after a dominant season in the circle, where she posted a 1.00 ERA on her way to First-Team All-Conference honors. She’s joined by Second-Team selections Mia Butka and Hana Cross, both key pieces in the lineup.

While Wilkes will have to replace the leadership of Hayden and Haylee Calaman, as well as pitcher Sami Hendershott, a strong core remains as the Colonels look to push for a postseason spot in their second full season in the league.