2024 Softball Season Preview
MCCC softball is coming off one of their best seasons after finishing 40-10 in 2023 and one win shy of tying the program record for wins (41). The Vikings return All-Region and All-Conference pitcher Shea Krebs (Robbinsville, NJ/Robbinsville HS) who went 18-4 in 2023 and had 123 strikeouts in 109.1 innings pitched. The Vikings also return Maya Patel (Burlington, NJ/Burlington Township) who had 71 hits last season and 20 home runs. Patel had 86 RBIs, which was tenth best in the nation and earned All-Conference honors.
Sophomore infielder Cierra Acevedo (Hamilton, NJ/Hamilton West) hit .416 for the Vikings and had 74 hits, 51 RBIs, 15 doubles and seven triples. Sophomore catcher Abby Bell (Hightstown, NJ/Hightstown HS) had 47 hits in 41 games last spring and 38 RBIs.
In addition to a small, but strong core of returning sophomores, the Vikings bring in many talented freshman to the 2024 team. Freshman Isabella Bonacci (Hamilton, NJ/Steinert) was the 2022 CVC (Colonial Valley Conference) and Area Player of the Year. Bonacci helped lead Steinert to a Group 3 state title, striking out 144 batters with a 1.58 ERA while also batting .333. Freshman infielder Kelci O’Dell (Wrightstown, NJ/Northern Burlington) helped Northern Burlington reach the sectional final last spring. O’Dell hit .400 with 34 hits, 28 runs and 17 RBIs and earned Trentonian All-Area honors.
Freshman infielder Madison Jobes (Roebling, NJ/Florence Twp. Memorial) hit .500 in her junior year of at Florence and had 35 hits. Freshman outfielder Makenna Spak (Hamilton, NJ/Steinert) was a member of Steinert’s state title team who has speed and the ability to get on base. Spak hit .295 with 22 RBIs and 23 hits last spring for the Spartans. Freshman utility player Natalie Santiago (Ewing, NJ/Ewing HS) hit .329 with 25 RBIs and 26 hits. Santiago is expected to split time catching and in the outfield.
Other newcomers expected to contribute include freshman Ada Kaschl (Brussels, Belgium/European School of Brussels III) who played on the U15 and U18 Belgium National Team and played in the European Championships in Prague last spring. Freshman pitcher Jessica Adams (Levittown, PA/Harry Truman) has lots of high school innings under her belt and will help bolster the Vikings’ pitching rotation. Freshman Angelina Guida (Monroe, NJ/Monroe Township) had a career batting average of .319 at Monroe Township HS and will help bolster the Vikings infield. Freshman Emily Wyzykowski (Westampton, NJ/Rancocas Valley) hit .290 for Rancocas Valley last spring and will add depth in the Mercer outfield.
The strength of Mercer’s returning sophomores along with many talented freshman should allow the Vikings to be competitive again this season. The Vikings will look to win Region 19 with a chance to qualify for the NJCAA World Series. Ryan Zegarski will be entering his 20th season as Head Coach and has 558 career wins. Zegarski’s proven success along with a talented roster should make the Vikings competitive in the 2024 season.
The Vikings open the season on March 9th in a doubleheader at Anne Arundel CC. Their home opener will be a doubleheader on March 12th vs RCSJ Gloucester.
For the latest on MCCC softball, visit: https://www.mccc.edu/athletics_women_softball.shtml
Pitcher Shea Krebs went 18-4 for the Vikings last spring and earned All-Region and All-Conference honors
Maya Patel had 86 RBIs for the Vikings last spring and 20 home runs
Infielder Cierra Acevedo had 74 hits for the Vikings last spring
Catcher Abby Bell hit .379 for the Vikings last season