By Olivia Trasser
Staff Writer
The Colleges’ softball team entered the 2025 season earning the No. 2 spot in the New Jersey Athletic Conference preseason coaches poll. With a veteran core and one of the strongest pitching duos in the conference, the team is set on a season with championship aspirations.
After finishing out the season 26-11 last year and coming up just one game short of an NJAC Championship series appearance, the College returns determined to reclaim their spot at the top of the conference.
Their journey began this past weekend on Feb. 23 in Greensboro, North Carolina, where they split their season-opening doubleheader with a 6-2 win over Greensboro College and a hard-fought 2-0 loss to Roanoke College.
At the plate, the Lions boast a dangerous lineup led by fifth-years Kaci Neveling and Julia Kinnaly.
Neveling, a four-time All-NJAC and National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Region First Team honoree, returns after leading the conference in stolen bases (41) and ranking third in runs scored (45) last season. Kinnally, the 2023 NJAC Player of the Year, topped the team in batting average (.403), hits (48), doubles (14) and RBIs (33).
For Neveling, this season is about leaving everything on the field. “For my personal goals, I would say that my main focus in my final year is to just leave everything out on the field and step away with no regrets,” said Neveling, an elementary education and psychology major.
Neveling not only wants to see the team holding up the NJAC Championship title come May, but also make a deep postseason run looking to take home the NCAA Championship title as well.
“Every year, my main priority is to work as hard as I can to help the team reclaim the NJAC Championship title and make a postseason run, but especially with this year being my last, it would be a great feeling to leave this program with a championship win,” said Neveling.
With a combination of speed, power and veteran leadership, this offense will be one of the toughest challenges to come up against in the conference. While the offense is loaded with experience, the Lions’ biggest strength may come from the circle.
The pitching duo of sophomore Maya Knasiak and junior Elizabeth Gosse helped the College finish second in the NJAC in team ERA (1.79) last season, and both return to lead the offense.
Last season, Gosse posted a stellar 1.10 ERA, the second-best in the NJAC, while Knasiak followed closely with a 1.76 ERA in her freshman campaign. Adding onto Knasiak’s list of accomplishments, she led the Lions in innings pitched (103.1) and strikeouts (122), the fourth most in the conference.
While the Lions are focused on making a deep postseason run, their approach remains steady when facing the best in the Division III game.
“When thinking about facing top competition, our team preparation stays the same,” said Neveling. “The main focus is taking the season one game at a time.”
The College will be back on the road Sunday, March 2 to face DeSales University. This non-conference matchup will look to build momentum for the Lions going into NJAC play come the end of March.
