It's time to return to the pitching circles in Morris and Sussex counties. The softball season begins Monday, and many of the area's top teams are preparing to challenge for a championship this season.
Here are the first Morris/Sussex Top 10 rankings of the year.
10. Morristown
Last season: 14-11
The Colonials won a playoff round before being losing in 10 innings to Bergen Tech in last season's North 1, Group 4 quarterfinals. Callie Volker tossed 194 strikeouts last year and is back for her senior season. Juniors Ella Watson and Morgan Langsdorf are among the many returning starters who hope to keep Morristown in contention.
9. Sparta
Last season: 16-7
Sparta provided headaches for opponents last season and expects to do so again with 13 returning varsity players. The Spartans fell in the North 1, Group 3 semifinals and have senior star power hoping to avenge that exit. Gabrielle Heim and Grave Conrad combined for 159 innings pitched and 223 strikeouts, while Alexa Berry batted .361 last season and slugged .590.
8. Whippany Park
Last season: 18-10
The Wildcats remain one of the more dangerous small schools in the area after 18 wins and a trip to the North 2, Group 1 final last year. Some important seniors are gone, but experience remains with senior Ellie Williams, who had 46 hits and 38 RBIs last year. Williams averaged nearly a strikeout per inning in the circle for Whippany Park, and keeps a core in tact with senior Mikaela Schwippert and junior Alessandra Middleton.
7. High Point
Last season: 17-9
Reaching the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex tournament semifinals, as well as the sectional final in North 1, Group 2, the Wildcats flew under the radar with a strong freshman group last spring. Pitcher Grace Meyers was stellar in the circle with 135 strikeouts in 111.1 innings, while Daphne Mathews hammered 39 hits. Senior Mikayla Conklin is still a problem for opposing pitchers with 53 hits and 40 stolen bases last spring.
6. Randolph
Last season: 20-5
A run shy of a sectional final last season, the Rams return with a strong squad in 2024 and move up a division on the strength of a 20-win campaign a year ago. Autumn Liebhauser is back after clobbering 11 home runs and joins an experienced core of juniors with Hannah Bermudez and Rebecca Dasti. Sophomore catcher Cassidy Smith bolstered the Randolph lineup with a .507 average as a freshman.
5. Pope John
Last season: 14-11
The Lions are young but talented enough to contend with the non-public elite, falling in last season's North, Non-Public A semifinals. Olivia Cilli is back after a 180-strikeout freshman season, while junior Grace Bobbie and sophomore Abbey Davis lead a talented infield poised to contend in the NJAC American.
4. Roxbury
Last season: 22-5
The Gaels hopes to return to county and sectional finals after a stellar spring last year. Roxbury fell a run short in the North 1, Group 3 final but remains one of the top public-school teams in the state. Senior Hailey Errichiello is back in the circle after amassing 248 strikeouts in 132 innings last season. Errichiello also leads the offense alongside junior Ryan Mullen and sophomore Sidney Ribnicky.
3. Jefferson
Last season: 25-8
The Falcons reached the Morris County semifinals and went undefeated in the Freedom division before falling in the Group 2 state final. Pitcher Kama Skrek struck out 189 batters in 175.2 innings as a sophomore, and also registered 40 hits and driving in 35 runs. Skrek is one of six returning players with more than 20 hits last season, including junior Katie Koprera and sophomore Kylie Plunkett.
2. Morris Knolls
Last season: 24-5
Reaching the Group 3 final last spring, the Golden Eagles return with a lineup mostly in tact despite the loss of three impactful seniors to graduation. The duo of Sofia Cruz and Taylor Heinemann combined for 73 hits as freshmen and hope for strong sophomore seasons in 2024. Pitcher Leah Kleczkowski is back for her senior season after 103 strikeouts in 110 innings in the circle last spring.
1. Morris Catholic
Last season: 24-7
A trio of impactful seniors are gone from last season's group that reached the Non-Public B final, but the Crusaders remain atop the area. The Morris County Tournament champions are talented top to bottom, from seniors Kate Heslin and Ella Mizeski to sophomore Sofia Reisinger, who will assume the primary pitching duties in 2024. Reisinger also helps her case at the plate with 15 doubles as a freshman to lead the team.
Also considered (last season's record in parentheses): Hanover Park (14-12), Montville (16-10), West Morris (19-8)
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Softball: Morris/Sussex Top 10 rankings entering the 2024 season
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