Softball: Way-too-early Top 10 for 2025 plus analysis of Shore's major divisional shakeup

Even after just recently putting a final bow on the 2024 season to leave it for the history books, it's already time to look ahead at the 2025 softball season as some major changes are coming to the Shore Conference next spring. And arguably the most exciting of those changes is the addition of a reigning section champion to the league.

2024 SEASON WRAP: Shore coaches' All-Division teams, APP Coach of the Year, final Top 10 teams

Of course, that team cracked the ranking of the way-too-early top 10 teams listed below. And while that's an exciting development, the most impactful change was the significant overhaul of the divisions as they were completely realigned under a different format that should create more parity and a new set of storylines. That analysis is below, but first let's look at the top 10 teams for next season.

WAY-TOO-EARLY TOP 10

1. St. John Vianney

No surprises at the top as many doubted the back-to-back state champions heading into the 2024 season, and did so to their own detriment. The Lancers return the Gatorade NJ Player of the Year in Madison McDougall and key performers like Gabby Gonzalez and Elisabeth Figliolino in addition to most of the talented lineup. They will need to replace outfielders Giuliana Cardin and Jordyn Gautier as well as first baseman Isabelle Cattelona, but the Lancers have demonstrated they have a pipeline of talent and capable players ready to step into bigger roles.

2. Donovan Catholic

Donovan returns nearly every member of its incredible starting lineup, setting up another year of potent offense for the Griffins. They have great senior leadership from Christina Ginex, Olivia Kurth, Sophia Senger and Gianna Apostolakos in addition to talented underclassmen Izzy Cino and Bella Maria. The pitching staff should be much improved with everyone back after another year of growth and experience.

3. Red Bank Catholic

The Caseys lose some significant seniors, but still return seven regular starters and will once again be led by stars Nicole Knox and Lily Hagan. Those two are part of a robust class of talented seniors, as the team also has Lana Rudolph, Brianna Santangelo and Sophia Lasater returning in the lineup. That type of experience and camaraderie could be the key to RBC taking the next step in the postseason after several really great seasons.

4. Marlboro

The Mustangs have proven it is unwise to discount them, and it would be particularly inadvisable given what the team has coming into next season. Although there are several major losses from a strong class of 2024 seniors, the team brings back a fully healthy Emily Gaudio that should return to full form as one of the best pitchers in the Shore. Isabella Wuelfing was a welcome emergence as a newcomer, and they'll have two highly experienced players leading the way in Adison Ditillo and Aimee Notaro.

5. Middletown North

Similar to Red Bank Catholic, the Lions have a strong class of seniors leading the way as the team aims to finally breakthrough in the postseason after several very good seasons. Senior Madi Boyce leads the way as one of the most productive and electric pitchers in the state, and emerged as the team's top offensive threat this past season. Getting more offensive production is the key for Midd North, as they have several talented and experienced seniors like Adriana Lisotto, Natalie Trezza and Hailey Keiser that have been solid but need to take another step for this team to reach their lofty goals.

6. Southern

The Rams will have to replace multiple key seniors, but they have the look of a team primed to take a step forward in 2025 and potentially emerge as the best public team in Ocean County. It's a tale of two Emilys for Southern, as star pitcher Emily Evans is back along with multiple other capable pitchers. Evans also spearheaded the offense, proof that she's a well-rounded senior leader. Behind the plate is Emily Zellman, the terrific junior catcher. With those two paving the way and other key returners like Abigail Krill and Madison Groschel-Klein, the Rams should have high hopes next season.

7. Point Pleasant Borough

Point Boro lost the heart and soul of the team in the seniors graduating that helped turn the program around, but the Panthers still return their top two RBI leaders and three of the top four hitters by batting average. Also among that group of returners is Dakota Palmieri, who is one of the Shore's top pitchers in addition to her offensive production. They also started three freshmen that could take a major step in 2025 as sophomores.

8. Middletown South

There is common denominator among the top teams: nearly all of them have established pitching that can be relied on. And Middletown South has an incredibly bright future in that regard after the emergence of Riley Smith this past season. The Eagles are brimming with potential after their postseason run but they will need to navigate the loss of big class of experienced seniors that made up the bulk of the lineup. They lose four of their top six leaders in RBIs last season.

9. Colts Neck

The Cougars' 2024 season is certainly a bit of disappointment given the team's potential, but this is still a group led by talented and experienced underclassmen capable of having a breakthrough season in 2025. Junior Angela Sasso returns on the mound as one of the best pitchers in the Shore, and RBI leaders Julia Watkins and Gabriella Bryce are also back for Colts Neck.

10. New Egypt

And rounding out the top ten is the reigning Central Group 1 champion. New Egypt absolutely demolished postseason foes as the team cruised to a section title while outscoring opponents 48-8, and the closest game was still a five-run victory. The Warriors are a bit lower here as a smaller program that was only 12-9 heading into the postseason, but they finished the season red hot and return the entire team except for key 2024 senior Sara Scozzari. They'll be led by Megan Miller, who instantly becomes one of the Shore's top players after batting .538 with 37 RBIs and seven home runs in addition to 15 stolen bases.

DIVISION REALIGNMENT FOR 2025

Most of the exciting storylines in the aftermath of the overhaul of the Shore's divisions will have to wait until the softball season preview for next year. But here's a quick breakdown of the most important aspects of the recent changes.

First, the entire format is different as there is no longer a Central Division. Instead, there are three tiers of North and South in addition to a bottom tier known as the Coastal Division.

The Shore's perennial powers have been properly re-organized into the top divisions. This is particularly important with A North, which now boasts an astonishing five different teams that have won various section titles over the past five seasons (and four state champions). And of course, it pits two dominant Non-Public powers against each other in St. John Vianney and Red Bank Catholic. It's a similar story in A South, as Donovan Catholic will now be challenged more regularly by the likes of Southern, Central and Toms River East.

The lower divisions bring a fascinating level of parity. B North features teams like Midd South and Raritan, who held their own against tough competition. B South welcomes incoming power New Egypt alongside two very strong Group 2 programs in Wall and Manasquan.

And there's intrigue in C North and C South as well as the Coastal Division because teams that have historically struggled might now be positioned to dominate. Shore Regional went 10-12 in one of the toughest divisions, but the Blue Devils will now be a power in C North. The same could be true for Barnegat in C South. And Trinity Hall, which was in the same division as Shore Regional, has a young talented roster that could dominate the Coastal Division.

Take a look at the reorganized divisions below.

A-North

Red Bank Catholic

St. John Vianney

Middletown North

Colts Neck

Marlboro

Freehold Township

A-South

Donovan Catholic

Southern

Jackson Memorial

Central Regional

Point Pleasant Boro

Toms River East

B-North

Raritan

Matawan

Holmdel

Monmouth

Middletown South

Freehold Boro

B-South

Manasquan

Wall

New Egypt

Howell

Toms River North

Pinelands

C-North

Manalapan

Shore Regional

Rumson-Fair Haven

Keansburg

Ocean Township

Henry Hudson

St. Rose

C-South

Toms River South

Barnegat

Brick Memorial

Point Pleasant Beach

Lacey

Manchester

Coastal

Trinity Hall

Red Bank Regional

Keyport

Jackson Liberty

Neptune

Long Branch

Lakewood

Ranney

Brick Township

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Softball: Way-too-early Top 10 for 2025 plus analysis of Shore's major divisional shakeup