Wickliffe enters the 2026 season with a familiar expectation—compete for championships.
The Blue Devils have built one of the area’s most consistent programs, and that standard continues to shape the mindset heading into another spring.
“We have won the last three conference championships and four in the past five seasons,” said head coach Marlana Mucciarone. “That level of sustained success has helped establish our reputation as a formidable opponent. We know there will be challenges along the way. We will make mistakes, and we won’t come out on top every time, but I believe that every player understands that when you put on our uniform and step onto the field, you are representing Wickliffe Softball, and you do so with pride and confidence.”
With that foundation in place, Wickliffe once again builds around a dominant presence in the circle and a lineup that blends leadership with versatility.
Blazetic sets the tone
Everything starts with senior pitcher Leigha Blazetic, who anchors both the lineup and the circle as one of the most impactful players in the area. She’ll again handle every inning while hitting in the heart of the order.
“Leigha is one of the top pitchers in the area. Last season she broke the school record for most strikeouts in a season with 211,” Mucciarone said. “She, without a doubt, is the fulcrum of our team. She pitched every inning last year, and that is the plan again this year. At bat, Leigha will be in the 3-4 hole to drive in runs with her powerful swing. Every season she has shown tremendous improvement due to her dedication, hard work, and focus on becoming faster, stronger, and more agile – and it clearly shows.”
Leadership and versatility up the middle
Senior Amanda Peklay sets the tone at the top of the lineup and gives Wickliffe flexibility defensively, where she can play center field or move into the infield if needed.
“Amanda has provided consistency and reliability to the outfield since she was a freshman,” Mucciarone said. “Now, as a senior, she will continue this role in centerfield, but may find that we need her in the infield at shortstop due to her situational understanding of the game. In whatever role she finds herself, she will excel due to her natural athleticism and softball IQ. She also provides leadership by giving guidance and instruction to teammates. Offensively, Amanda provides versatility, being able to bat from either side of the plate. This, along with her speed, makes her an ideal 1-2 hitter. I believe this will be her best year yet.”
Junior Madelyne Prosuch continues to give the Blue Devils options across the field, capable of settling in at shortstop or center field while remaining a key presence near the top of the lineup.
“Hands down, Madelyne was most improved from last season,” Mucciarone said. “She went beyond my expectations. Due to injury or certain situations, she played almost every position last season. And she did it flawlessly because she is a quick study and very coachable. Madelyne has first-step quickness, good range, technique, instinct, and a strong arm.”
Building out the lineup
Behind the plate, junior Abby Sulyok steps into a larger role, with the ability to also contribute at third base when needed.
“Abby is one of our most determined players and has made considerable progress since last season,” Mucciarone said. “She will be behind the plate much of the time or at third if she is not. I am excited to see her hard work pay off this year, both in the field and at bat.”
Sophia Ervin adds athleticism and power at the corner spots and in the outfield.
“Sophia’s athleticism has made her an asset,” Mucciarone said. “She will spend time at third, first, or even the outfield. At bat, she exhibits the perfect combination of bat speed and power to drive the ball hard.”
In the middle infield, sophomore Audrey Musgrave provides consistency and defensive reliability while holding down second base.
“Audrey’s athletic ability and skill set make her a natural middle infielder,” Mucciarone said. “She is our most consistent and technically sound fielder. She provided the infield with stability last year at second base and will likely spend most of her time there again this season.”
Depth and development
Wickliffe’s versatility continues with sophomore Sofia Bucar, who can fill virtually any role on the field, while Ava McGarry and Madison Rusnak continue to grow into key contributors.
“Sofia is our most versatile player because she can literally play any position,” Mucciarone said. “This makes her extremely useful and valuable for us. I really feel that her improved confidence will help her have a breakout season. Ava is determined and has been working hard to improve all aspects of her game. She will probably spend most of her time at first because of her consistency. Madison is probably the player who has surprised me the most. She is a much stronger player this year, which has improved her all-around game. She is also a great teammate, encouraging, and helps keep a positive atmosphere in the dugout.”
Freshman Elizabeth Prosuch is also working into the mix as she adjusts to the varsity level.
“Being a freshman is hard because you need to acclimate to the program and its expectations,” Mucciarone said. “But Liz has been up to the challenge. She is coachable and has made considerable improvement since we started.”
Challenges and mindset
Wickliffe will rely on growth and adaptability as the season unfolds, particularly with a roster still building chemistry.
“One challenge we face is inexperience,” Mucciarone said. “We have a relatively young group, and many of them haven’t had much time playing together or in game-like situations. That kind of experience can only come from being in those moments.”
Standard remains the same
The approach remains rooted in confidence and mentality as the Blue Devils look to sustain their success.
“For our team to be successful this season, we must overcome the mental barriers that can hold athletes back, like fear of failure, lack of confidence, and anxiety,” Mucciarone said. “Our motto this year is ‘I can and I will.’ We need to play freely and not be afraid of mistakes, because they are an inevitable part of the game.”
With Blazetic leading the way and a versatile lineup forming around her, Wickliffe once again enters the season with the tools to compete for another CVC title.
Wickliffe Softball
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