Gwynedd-Mercy College Women's Softball

David Hoch took over the Gwynedd Mercy University softball program prior to the 2019 season. Before becoming a Griffin, Coach Hoch led served as the head coach at Penn State Abington (2010-2015) and took Archbishop Wood High School (2006-2010) to four Catholic League postseason appearances. Coach Hoch led Gwynedd Mercy University to an Atlantic East Conference (AEC) postseason appearance in his first season at the helm, governing the Griffins to the #6 seed with a 2-8 league mark. Gwynedd Mercy University made the AEC postseason again in 2021, this time serving as the #5 seed after a 4-14 conference season (4-20 overall). The Griffins finished 2022 at 5-25 overall and 3-9 in AEC play. The campaign was highlighted by All-AEC Second Team honors for Shylynn Cordero ’24 and Grace Scally ’24. Gwynedd Mercy University opened the 2023 season with their best start in program history thanks to six straight wins at the Fastpitch Dreams Classic. They were led to the #6 seed in the 2023 Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Softball Championship Tournament by juniors; third baseman/pitcher Grace Scally '24 (2nd Team) – who second straight All-AEC Second Team selection - second baseman/pitcher Ashley Focht '24, and second baseman/left fielder Shylynn Cordero '24. Senior first baseman Allison Ross '23 batted in five runs in a 12-3 five-inning victory over #4 Neumann University to advance the Griffins to the second day Championship Pod Play, but a lack of offense against the eventual league champion, #1 Cabrini University ended Gwynedd Mercy University's first double-digit win season under Head Coach Dave Hoch on a 17-18 (4-8 AEC) overall mark.   In 2024, Coach Hoch led the Griffins to their best conference record (5-7) since 2018. WIth a 16-23 overall record and a 5-7 conference record, the Griffins earned the #4 seed heading into the AEC Tournament. The #4 Griffins fell to #6 Cabirini University (L, 5-10 on May 3) and the #1 Centenary University (NJ) (L, 2-4 on May 3) ending the 2024 season.    Overall Conference Year W L W L Notes 2019 9 23 2 8 AEC Tournament (#6) 2020 1 7 0 0 *Season halted due to COVID-19 pandemic* 2021 4 20 4 14 AEC Tournament (#5) 2022 5 25 3 9 2023     17 18 4 8 AEC Tournament (#6) 2024     16 23 5 7 AEC Tournament (#4) 2025 12 25 5 5 2026 9 26 3 9 Totals 73-167 (.304) 26-60 (.302)  

Natalie O'Neill '24 joined Gwynedd Mercy University men's and women's track and field coaching staff as an assistant prior to the 2025-2026 season. O’Neill was a four-year standout on the Gwynedd Mercy University women’s track and field team with five All-Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Second Team medals and 115 career points in AEC Championship competition.   O’Neill joined the Gwynedd Mercy University women’s track and field team in her sophomore year (2021-2022). She garnered a pair of All-AEC Second Team honors at her first AEC Track and Field Championship with her finishes in the Heptathlon (2nd, 2,201 points, 8 points) and the 4x400-Meter Relay (2nd, 4:31.71, 8 points); her finishes in the 100-Meter Hurdles (5th, 18.70, 4 points), 400-Meter Hurdles (4th, 1:17.77, 5 points), and 4x100-Meter Relay (3rd, 56.37, 6 points) helped her score 31 points of the Griffins 118 points (3rd of 5). Despite missing All-AEC status as a junior (2022-2023) and senior (2023-2024), O'Neill played a huge role in Gwynedd Mercy University’s finishes at the league championships. She recorded 17 of the Griffins’ 26 points (5th of 5) at the 2023 league championship and 24 of the Griffins’ 47 points (4th of 5) at the 2024 league championship. As a graduate, O’Neill added All-AEC Second Team honors in the 100-Meter Hurdles (2nd, 18:10, 8 points), 400-Meter Hurdles (2nd, 1:14.11, 8 points), and High Jump (2nd, 1.4, 8 points), before eventually contributing to 43 of the Griffins’ 64.5 points (5th of 6).   O’Neill was also a four-year member of the Gwynedd Mercy University women’s basketball team (2020-2024). In 80 career games played (42 games started), she totaled 371 points (3.9/game), 494 rebounds (6.2/game), 64 assists (.80/game), 23 blocks (.29/game), and 57 steals (.71/game).   O’Neill earned her bachelor’s degree in early education and special education from Gwynedd Mercy University in 2024. She is currently pursuing a master’s education with an anticipated graduation in May of 2026.