A group of eight District 2 graduates, six of them freshmen, contributed to the Marywood University softball team producing a winning season in 2021.
The Pacers finished 6-6 in the Atlantic East and 9-8 overall. Marywood’s only first-team, all-conference selection, one of its two second-team selections, both of its main pitchers and the player that produced two dramatic, weekly award-winning efforts played for Lackawanna League schools.
Gianna Marsico, a sophomore from Old Forge, was the first-team America East selection.
Marsico went 5-3 with a 6.13 earned run average in nine games. She made seven starts and completed five of those games, including a shutout.
In 45 2/3 innings, Marsico gave up 77 hits and 11 walks while striking out 24.
Hailey Rapisardi, a redshirt junior from Montrose, made the second team as a first baseman. In 14 games, including 13 starts, she batted a team-high .356.
Mara Hamm, a freshman pitcher/infielder from Abington Heights, completed eight of her nine starts as a pitcher. She went 4-4 with a 3.32 ERA while striking out 30 in 59 innings during which she allowed 82 hits and 17 walks.
Hamm also batted .250 while starting every game.
Samantha Baltrusaitis, a freshman outfielder from Lackawanna Trail, twice hit seventh-inning, game-winning grand slams, both of which resulted in America East Hitter of the Week awards.
Baltrusaitis started every game and led the team in homers (7), RBI (22), slugging percentage (.830) and runs scored (12) while batting .327.
Emily Rose, a shortstop/second baseman from West Scranton, started every game as a freshman. She led the team with four doubles and three sacrifices, was one of the players to share the lead with one triple and batted .327.
Rae Hatala, a freshman first baseman/third baseman from Scranton Prep, batted .281 in 13 appearances, including 9 starts.
Nina Kozar, a freshman catcher/first baseman from Abington Heights, and Abbey Stalter, a freshman outfielder from Lakeland, each played in nine games.
Kozar started all of her games and led the team in 10 walks, helping her build a .484 on-base percentage while batting .200.
Stalter was a starter in seven of her games. She stole a team-high five bases and batted .316.