Wickliffe opens the 2025 season seeking a third straight Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division title.
The Blue Devils, who finished last season 14-4 overall and 10-0 in league play, return just four starters and five letter winners, but their core group of players is as good as any in the area.
“We are returning four solid core starters in Maddie Kita, Mackayla Gazdak, Amanda Peklay, and Leigha Blazetic,” said Wickliffe coach Marlana Mucciarone. “They are the foundation of the team, and I expect them to provide leadership and be good role models for the underclassmen. The underclassmen and newcomers are hungry to prove themselves and have been working hard every practice to improve and win a starting spot.”
With that group returning and several talented newcomers in the lineup, Muccarione’s expectations remain high.
“Overall, we should be competing for our third straight CVC championship this season,” she said. “I would also like to see us advance further in the state tournament. We are improving every day, which is exactly what needs to happen. We will undoubtedly experience both successes and failures throughout the season, but how we learn and rebound from our failures is what will allow us to grow and mesh as a team.”
Wickliffe will be challenged with a smaller roster this season.
“We have a small, limited roster, which causes a problem with depth and playing a separate JV schedule to develop younger players,” Mucciarone said. “Low numbers mean that there may be some shuffling of positions to put our best possible lineup on the field. The girls know that they need to have an open mind and be willing to play multiple positions to the best of their ability when asked because the decisions I make are based on what’s best for the team.”
The Blue Devils also will battle inexperience as many of the younger players don’t have varsity experience.
“We have a younger team,” Mucciarone said. “The girls don’t have a lot of time playing with each other, and some don’t have a lot of situational game experience. The only way to overcome this is by playing as much as possible. Unfortunately, game experience is one of those things I can’t coach, so, we will prepare the best we can in practice and learn a lot as the season progresses.”
Blazetic, a junior, earned first-team all-conference and honorable mention all-district honors last season and will be counted on to throw nearly every inning in the circle this spring.
Last spring, she went 10-4 with a 1.94 earned run average and 139 strikeouts to just 23 walks. She also batted .315 with 11 doubles and 15 runs batted in.
“Leigha will be the workhorse of our team again this year,” Mucciarone said. “She pitched 94 of 112 innings last year and will probably pitch more this season. She will start every game in the circle. Our coaching staff has been really impressed with her. She is stronger, faster, more consistent, and has more endurance. This is also true for her offensively. She had 17 hits last season, and 11 were doubles. She has more power and speed in her swing and will be in the 3-4-5 hole of the lineup to drive in runs. I’m truly excited to see her flourish this season, as she is one of the top pitchers in the area.”
Kita, a senior, is back behind the dish.
She earned first-team All-CVC honors after batting .375 with seven doubles, two triples, 16 runs scored, and 16 RBI. She also posted a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage.
“Maddie was our defensive rock last year and will continue being an intimidating force behind the plate this season,” Mucciarone said. “She is dependable, athletic, versatile, a good vocal leader, and is a smart aggressive baserunner. She has an astute knowledge of the game, which has earned her the responsibility of calling pitches this season, something that our coaching staff has not done with other catchers before. Offensively, she will be in the top part of our lineup, as she has a powerful swing and is very good at situational hitting to move runners into scoring position or drive in runs. She should have a great senior season, as long as she remembers to have fun and not put pressure on herself to do too much.”
Gazdak, a senior, will play shortstop.
She earned first-team All-CVC honors last spring after batting an eye-popping .510 with five doubles, a triple, two home runs, and a .860 on-base percentage. She scored 332 runs and knocked in nine more.
“Mackayla had a breakout season last year,” Mucciarone said. “She led the team in several offensive categories including batting average, runs scored, on-base percentage, and walks. Defensively, she did a nice job at third all season. Mackayla is a natural, versatile athlete. She has excellent hand-eye coordination, good glovework, and a strong arm. We may utilize Mackayla in various roles during the season defensively. We are moving her over to shortstop this season, but she may still see time at third or possibly second. Offensively, Mackayla was our leadoff last season because she had an excellent on-base percentage. We may use her in that role again this year or may drop her in the lineup so she can drive in more runs.”
Peklay, a junior center fielder, earned first-team All-CVC honors last spring after batting .318 with 13 runs scored, 10 RBI, 15 walks, and a .615 on-base percentage. She also posted a 1.000 fielding percentage.
“Amanda captained the outfield last year and she will resume that role this season,” Mucciarone said. “She did not make any errors last year, so I anticipate she will continue to be locked-in while also mentoring our left and right fielders. Due to her natural athleticism, I can also bring her into shortstop if needed. At bat, I have high expectations that Amanda will have the confidence she needs to play a bigger role near the top of the lineup. Her speed and versatility from the right and left sides of the plate make her an ideal 1-2 hitter.”
Senior Natalie Blatnick is back at third base after earning honorable mention All-CVC honors last spring. She also could see time in the outfield.
“Natalie has been one of our most improved players,” Mucciarone said. “She is one of those kids who I really enjoy because she is coachable, hard-working, and has a positive, team-oriented attitude. She played several roles last season as a utility player but will find herself in a starting role this year at third or in the outfield. She has a lot of speed, and we plan on harnessing it offensively.”
Junior Lorelai Nichols will play first and could see time in the circle in relief of Blazetic.
“Lorelai is determined, hard-working, and a quick study,” Mucciarone said. “This makes her a versatile player who can handle any position. She is projected to be the starting first baseman this season while also providing relief to Leigha as our number-two pitcher. At bat, I am excited about what Lorelai brings to our lineup. She is strong and can really drive the ball.”
Sophomore Madelyne Prosuch will play in the outfield, sophomore Ava Parsons will see time in the outfield and infield and sophomore Sophia Ervin will play outfield or first base. Sophomore Abby Sulyok also can play in the dirt or in the grass.
“Our sophomores are a very determined, hard-working group. They are improving daily both offensively and defensively. They will all find themselves in various roles this season as we find what combinations work best for the team.
Freshman second baseman Audrey Musgrave has made a positive impact in her first few weeks with the program.
“Audrey brings us some new youthful, talent and energy,” Mucciarone said. “She is a natural middle infielder and will start at second base or shortstop this season. In addition, I anticipate she will provide us with some offensive momentum. I am excited to see what she does this year.”
Wickliffe’s returning starters are among the best in the area and with their supporting cast, the Blue Devils have the potential to do something special this season.
“Our four returning starters provide us with a lot of talent and experience,” Mucciarone said. “Overall, we have a very versatile group of athletes willing to do whatever it takes. They are open to trying new techniques, new positions, or even learning how to bunt or slap from the left side. They ask questions. listen to instruction and want to get better and be successful.”
In order for Wickliffe to reach its potential, the Blue Devils must maintain their focus on playing fundamental softball and learning from their mistakes.
“To be successful this season, we need to translate the basic fundamentals we work on every day at practice to the games,” Mucciarone said. “The girls need to be open, understanding, and accepting of new and changing roles on the team as we find what combination is most effective. We also need to be coachable, consistent, and improve our mental toughness. When things don’t go our way, we need to learn from it but not dwell on it. To quote Ted Lasso, we need to ‘be a goldfish.’ I believe in this team and in our abilities to have a successful season.”
The Blue Devils added the slogan “Failure is success in progress. Always be a work in progress,” to their team shirts this season. It’s a constant reminder to always think about the next pitch.
“In softball, as in life, every failure teaches valuable lessons that bring you one step closer to success,” Mucciarone said. “It is not the opposite of success, but rather a part of the journey towards it. Mistakes and setbacks are essential for growth. They provide opportunities for learning and instill a mindset of continuous improvement. No one ever reaches a state of perfection, but we should always strive for it.”
