Veteran Donovan Catholic softball team looks to regain some titles
March 28, 2025 at 7:00 a.m.
If something seemed a bit odd about the 2024 high school softball season, it was probably because Donovan Catholic, Toms River, did not win either a Shore Conference Tournament or NJSIAA Non Public A state championship (or both) for the first time in seven years.
Sophomore Molly Hoops, a Brick Township transfer, is one of three talented catchers challenging for a starting job. Photo by Victoria HayFrom 2018-23 (discounting the 2020 COVID-cancelled season), the Griffins won two Tournament of Champions titles, three state crowns and four SCT championships.
They came close to extending that streak to six straight seasons last year but lost a 10-9, extra-inning game to St. John VIanney, Holmdel, in the SCT final where “We were one hit or one great pitch away from winning it,” according to coach Debbie Schwartz.
It was definitely SJV’s year as the Lancers won the conference and state titles while going 26-1. They return ample talent from and are ranked No. 1 in NJ.com’s preseason Top 20 poll.
The good news for Donovan, which is ranked No. 4 in the state, is that it graduated just one starter from 2024 and many of its younger players got experience in big games.
“We have the pieces,” Schwartz said. “It’s about keeping everybody healthy and getting our pitchers to continue to grow and develop and giving them experience in the pressure cooker games, which we were in quite a bit last year. These kids are poised, they’ve worked hard. I feel like we have the pieces to take a run. Now they’re the drivers of the bus.”
Sophomore Izzy Cino, who hit .413 with 9 home runs last season, studies the pitcher during a scrimmage at-bat. Photo by Victoria Hay As usual, the Shore Conference and South Jersey Non-Public A is loaded with talented teams and Donovan will be in the mix. In a “down” year by Griffins’ standards, they were 23-5, won the B South Division title and claimed the inaugural South Jersey Classic tournament, which featured some powerful teams.
Catcher Emily Kurth graduated and is now leading Eastern University in hitting, but everyone else is back.
It all starts with pitching and the Griffins return four solid arms in seniors Sophia Senger (27.2 innings pitched, 1.77 ERA, 27 strikeouts) and Gia Gordon (47.1 IP, 2.66 ERA, 66 Ks), junior Dani Rodriguez (59.1 IP, 2.12 ERA, 73 Ks) and sophomore Gylian Hixenbaugh (24.2 IP, 1.42 ERA, 22 Ks).
“We have a couple number-one pitchers – that’s where we’ve seen some growth,” Schwartz said. “We haven’t given our kids enough innings because everybody is pitching, so we’re waiting to see who wants to take the number one. They’re all very talented and we can do some situational pitching and see who matches up better with other teams.
Senior third baseman Gia Gordon makes a throw from third base during a Donovan Catholic scrimmage. Photo by Victoria Hay“Sophia’s a lefty, she’s a calm in the storm and a big asset,” the coach continued. “Dani throws hard and has improved, Gylian is moving the ball really well and needs to be more consistent, and Gia throws hard. Another junior entering the mix is Caroline Kopp, one of our harder throwers.”
Battling for the starting catcher job is junior Jaelynn Nunez, a Toms River East transfer; junior Amelia Wescott, and sophomore Molly Hoops, a Brick Township transfer.
“We have options,” Schwartz said. “They’re all very qualified and ready catchers.”
The power hitting infield combined for 24 home runs and 119 RBI last year. It features first baseman Senger (.392, 5 HR, 30 RBI), sophomore second baseman Isabella Cino (.413, 9 HR, 23 RBI), senior shortstop Christina Ginez (.471, 8 HR, 43 RBI) and senior third baseman Olivia Kurth (.416, 2 HR, 23 RBI). Senior Gia Gordon can also play third.
The outfield has senior Gianna Apostolakos (.518, 21 RBI) in left and junior Bella Marie (.517, 22 RBI) in center, while freshman Julianna Vignets and juniors Maddie Kelliher and Kopp compete for the rightfield spot. Rounding out the roster is sophomore first baseman Mia Kelliher, who is currently out injured.
“We’re in good shape,” Schwartz said. “We have nearly everybody back, they’re all a little bit more experienced. We were in every game last year. We lost five of them and they were all very close. Even if the final score wasn’t close, they were close games until maybe a late hit or something.
“Those kinds of moments stick with you. As a player they aren’t easy to forget. So, they’re working hard.”
Senior Sophia Senger, one of four quality pitchers for Donovan Catholic, fires a pitch during a preseason scrimmage. Photo by Victoria Hay
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If something seemed a bit odd about the 2024 high school softball season, it was probably because Donovan Catholic, Toms River, did not win either a Shore Conference Tournament or NJSIAA Non Public A state championship (or both) for the first time in seven years.
Sophomore Molly Hoops, a Brick Township transfer, is one of three talented catchers challenging for a starting job. Photo by Victoria HayFrom 2018-23 (discounting the 2020 COVID-cancelled season), the Griffins won two Tournament of Champions titles, three state crowns and four SCT championships.
They came close to extending that streak to six straight seasons last year but lost a 10-9, extra-inning game to St. John VIanney, Holmdel, in the SCT final where “We were one hit or one great pitch away from winning it,” according to coach Debbie Schwartz.
It was definitely SJV’s year as the Lancers won the conference and state titles while going 26-1. They return ample talent from and are ranked No. 1 in NJ.com’s preseason Top 20 poll.
The good news for Donovan, which is ranked No. 4 in the state, is that it graduated just one starter from 2024 and many of its younger players got experience in big games.
“We have the pieces,” Schwartz said. “It’s about keeping everybody healthy and getting our pitchers to continue to grow and develop and giving them experience in the pressure cooker games, which we were in quite a bit last year. These kids are poised, they’ve worked hard. I feel like we have the pieces to take a run. Now they’re the drivers of the bus.”
Sophomore Izzy Cino, who hit .413 with 9 home runs last season, studies the pitcher during a scrimmage at-bat. Photo by Victoria Hay As usual, the Shore Conference and South Jersey Non-Public A is loaded with talented teams and Donovan will be in the mix. In a “down” year by Griffins’ standards, they were 23-5, won the B South Division title and claimed the inaugural South Jersey Classic tournament, which featured some powerful teams.
Catcher Emily Kurth graduated and is now leading Eastern University in hitting, but everyone else is back.
It all starts with pitching and the Griffins return four solid arms in seniors Sophia Senger (27.2 innings pitched, 1.77 ERA, 27 strikeouts) and Gia Gordon (47.1 IP, 2.66 ERA, 66 Ks), junior Dani Rodriguez (59.1 IP, 2.12 ERA, 73 Ks) and sophomore Gylian Hixenbaugh (24.2 IP, 1.42 ERA, 22 Ks).
“We have a couple number-one pitchers – that’s where we’ve seen some growth,” Schwartz said. “We haven’t given our kids enough innings because everybody is pitching, so we’re waiting to see who wants to take the number one. They’re all very talented and we can do some situational pitching and see who matches up better with other teams.
Senior third baseman Gia Gordon makes a throw from third base during a Donovan Catholic scrimmage. Photo by Victoria Hay“Sophia’s a lefty, she’s a calm in the storm and a big asset,” the coach continued. “Dani throws hard and has improved, Gylian is moving the ball really well and needs to be more consistent, and Gia throws hard. Another junior entering the mix is Caroline Kopp, one of our harder throwers.”
Battling for the starting catcher job is junior Jaelynn Nunez, a Toms River East transfer; junior Amelia Wescott, and sophomore Molly Hoops, a Brick Township transfer.
“We have options,” Schwartz said. “They’re all very qualified and ready catchers.”
The power hitting infield combined for 24 home runs and 119 RBI last year. It features first baseman Senger (.392, 5 HR, 30 RBI), sophomore second baseman Isabella Cino (.413, 9 HR, 23 RBI), senior shortstop Christina Ginez (.471, 8 HR, 43 RBI) and senior third baseman Olivia Kurth (.416, 2 HR, 23 RBI). Senior Gia Gordon can also play third.
The outfield has senior Gianna Apostolakos (.518, 21 RBI) in left and junior Bella Marie (.517, 22 RBI) in center, while freshman Julianna Vignets and juniors Maddie Kelliher and Kopp compete for the rightfield spot. Rounding out the roster is sophomore first baseman Mia Kelliher, who is currently out injured.
“We’re in good shape,” Schwartz said. “We have nearly everybody back, they’re all a little bit more experienced. We were in every game last year. We lost five of them and they were all very close. Even if the final score wasn’t close, they were close games until maybe a late hit or something.
“Those kinds of moments stick with you. As a player they aren’t easy to forget. So, they’re working hard.”
Senior Sophia Senger, one of four quality pitchers for Donovan Catholic, fires a pitch during a preseason scrimmage. Photo by Victoria Hay