The Gloucester City High School softball program has become one of the best in New Jersey since the dawn of the new millennium, built on the fundamentals of good pitching, excellent defense and timely hitting.
The first of six state titles came in 2000, with manager David Light and assistant coaches Harry Boulden, Jill Darrow and Maria Kerchersky at the helm teaching stars like Maddy and Ashley Boulden, Mindy Coxe, Mindy Myers, Rhonda and Shayne Bennett, Kasey Mason, Erin James, Vernoa Farley, Kelly Stafford, Dana Marchione, Rose Orsino and Liz Hutchinson how to play and win as a team.
The second of two Group 1 champions came the next year with the same core players, plus Chris Zuccarelli, Brittany Houser, Elisa Rojas, Robin Elder and Kelly Cree.
The 2005 Lions season began on a sad note, as coach Harry Boulden died in a tragic accident. Remembering his contributions to the program all year, Gloucester High went on to win its third Group 1 title. David Light was still the manager, and his new assistant coach was his daughter, Megan Mason (nee Light).
The players were Dana Blaylock, Kelly Cerrone, Beth Collins, Kelsey Cutler, Samantha Dobleman, Kasey Gorman, Amanda Greene, Jackie Leafey, Tina Londino, Amanda Multanski, Lauren Ross, Erica Smizer, Tiffaney Stiteler and Jena Zearfoss.
The Lions won its fourth Group 1 championship in 2009, led again by Manager Light and his assistant coaches, including daughter and son Megan and Dave Light, Jill Darrow and Rhonda Bennett.
The players were Jill Stafford, Taylor Chain, Tabitha Dick, Ashley Zaccaria, Grace Cooney, Courtney and Brittney Dolson, Crystal Barton, Teresa Anderson, Angela Harris, Samantha Bryszewski, Meghan Ryan, Kate Boulden and Ashley Grant.
Fast forward to 2024 and there were a lot of familiar faces on the coaching staff. Megan Mason was now the manager, and her dad was an assistant coach along with Jill Darrow, Jill Stafford, Susann Dybus and Scott Snyder.
Using the formula of good pitching, great defense and timely hitting, the Lions – who were now in Group 2 – won their fifth NJSIAA state championship.
The players were Olivia George, Valerie Hatterer, Ryleigh Hunter, Logan Thomson, Rylie and Kaelyn Zearfoss, Lauren Parry, Kloi Tighe, Ava Rodgers, Emma Dick, Alexis Ullman, Ava Moore and Bailey Schoenfeldt.
This year, with wins of 5-4, 5-4, and 3-2 in the three final games, the Gloucester City High School softball team won its sixth state championship in the past 26 years – an amazing run.
There were led by the same group of coaches, and the players included Ava Rodgers, Haylee Zuccarelli, Alexis Ullman, Bailey Schoenfeldt, Rylie Zearfoss, Gabbie Maldonado, Emma Dick, Lauren Parry, Vayda Pino, Kloi Tighe, Alyssa Frame, Kaelyn Zearfoss, Ava Moore, Sophia Daily and Ella Kirschner.
Either David Light or Megan Mason have been the manager for all six titles, building a strong foundation for the excellence of Lions softball that will continue through the rest of this century.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
“The Lady Lions softball team proved again that hard work and determination and dedication added up to a New Jersey Group II Championship. Your school and community take great pride in your accomplishments. You’re that best!” said Gloucester High alums Bob and Janet Bevan from the Class of 1962 and 1961.
