Florida Gulf Coast League: Ramping Up for 2021 with Roster News (Including Returners & New Players)

After a successful first year of playing softball last summer in the Sunshine State—when much of the fastpitch world was shut down due to COVID-19—the Florida Gulf Coast League (FGCL) is getting ready for the 2021 season with 10 teams getting ready for action.

Click HERE to see why the FGCL was one of our Top 15 Stories of 2020!

There will be 10 teams this year and on Monday the league announced the 125 players who are as of now expected to compete this summer.

Said one FGCL official: “There is definitely some serious talent coming this way!”

Here’s a look at the team rosters including coaches, returning players and new additions as they stand at this point…

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2020 Champs Myakka City River Mocs

• Michaela Transue returning as head coach.
• Seven returners including league MVP Mack Leonard (Ill St), Gabby Benson (GA St), Madi Davis (UCF), Kaylee Erickson (BYU), Claire Ginder (Furman), Ari Quinones (UW) and Lizzie Shubert (Stetson).
• Newcomers include Madison Harris (UVA) and Casey Goguts (GA Tech), along with Grayson Radcliffe (Indiana), Jazzy Contreras (Oregon), Saxon Radcliffe (ETSU), Paige Rauch (Villanova).

Manatee Squeeze

• Head coach, Kara Dill (Texas A&M).
• Returners include Kenna Wilkey (Northwestern), Megan Ricks (FGCU), Taylor Johnson (Wisconsin), Nikki Cuchran (Northwestern),
• Newcomers are Carsyn Saabye (FSU), Erin McDonald (Wichita St), Lauren Shaw (Iowa), Madison Owens (South Carolina), Maddie Bejarano (UCF), Molly Rainey (UCF), Jordan Moore (Samford), Maddie Gallagher (South Carolina), Cam Cecil (Long Beach St)

Bradenton Slice

• Gina Snyder returning as head coach (JU GA).
• Returners: Maddie McPherson (GA Tech), Riley Ludlam (Furman), Adi Reese (Murray St College), Neleigh Herring (Wichita St), Breanna Roper (GA Tech), Maddi Banks (Ole Miss), Ashley Blessin (Marshall), Jazmine Dodd (Alabama St),
• Newcomers are Jessi Puk (Ole Miss), Taylor Herschbach (Valparaiso), Camille Corona (Texas), Grace Jewell (UCF), Kendal Cook (Missouri)

Pioneers

• Erica Beach returning as head coach with Karlie Milburn (Michigan GA) assisting.
• Returners include: Kara Saylor (Stetson), Kayla Howald (Campbell), Sophie Hannabas (Southeastern LA), Cammeo Presutti (FAU), Jordyn Petty (Barry), Taylor Gilmore (Colorado St),
• Newcomers: Kailey Christian (Delaware), Tyler Trott (Colorado St), Jada Smallwood (Maryland), Hanna Garber (Delaware), McKayla Timmons (Ball St), Abi Annett (North Florida), Paige Pfent (North Florida), Carsten Puckett (Clemson), Kaitlyn Tucker (Presbyterian)

Siesta Key Phinz

• Head Coach Aaron Vail (Furman).
• Players include: Maia Radar (Oregon St), Erin Brown (St. Johns), Jaeda McFarland (Maryland), Emma Whitfield (Clemson), Mazie MacFarlane (Utah St), Mackenzie MacFarlane (Utah St), Mia Kraimer (South Dakota), Abi Stuart (Clemson), Lexie Webb (Fresno St), Rachael Hathoot (New Mexico), Izzy Owen (New Mexico), Alyssa Pinto (San Diego St), Kinley Stewart (GA Tech), Blake Neleman (GA Tech), Kaitlyn Orme (Ferris St), Kat Rodriguez (Quinnipiac), Catie Dobbs (Syracuse)

Sarasota Circus

• Head Coach Carsyn Gordan (PBA GA), Assistant Coach Aleima Lopez (Ole Miss GA).
• Players include: Stormy Kotzelnick (UW), Jordyn Wolfe (Louisville), Jocelyn Alonso (FIU), Natalie Morgan (Furman), Riley Grunberg (UTSA), Taylor Medina (USTA), Kasey Fava (UCF), Ellie Armistead (Georgia), Kayla McGory (UNF), Jenna Greene (Presbyterian), Megan Schumacher (Missouri), Riley Frizell (Missouri)

South Bradenton Skeeters

• Head Coach Cara Parker (Santa Fe), Assistant Coach Marisa Runyon (TTU).
• Players: Melina Livingston (Penn St), Emily Winburn (Delaware), Lauren Klein (Stetson), Bailey Turnbow (ETSU), Morgan Britt (UNCW), Chloe Lee (Marshall), Aly Harrel (Marshall), Jamaica Flowers (AL State), Sterling Hairston (Campbell), Rachel Warrens (George Mason), Cally Kildow (Arkansas), Raegan Conley (FAU), Kayleigh Roper (Michigan St), Morgan Shannon (St. Leo), Alex Storako (Michigan)

Anna Maria Aquanauts

• Head Coach Ellie Cooper (FSU/New Zealand WNT), Assistant Coach Courtney Gettins (Alabama/Vol Asst Texas).
• Players Kinsey Goelz (Florida), Bailee Richardson (Ga St), Bailey Grossenbacher ((FIU), Wylie Glover (Wichita St), Daisy Hess (GA St), Mallorie Black (GA Tech), Zoie Smith (Bucknell), Kayla Jensen (Quinnipiac), Zoie Smith (Bucknell), Kat Grill (Alabama), Avery Goelz (Florida)

Bradenton Lynx

• Head Coach Lindsay Fico (Santa Fe).
• Returners: Devyn Flaherty (FSU), Haley Lee (Texas A&M) Mekayla Frazier (Elon), Lauren Hobbs (Stetson), Gaby Ruiz (FIU), Ashlee Lykins (Furman).
• New players: Jack Busch (Pitt), Nyah Morgan (Stetson), Hallie Wacaser (Florida St), Maggie Trgo (Western Kentucky)

Manatee Impact

• Head Coach Savannah Webster (Winthrop). Assistant coaches include Mike Scott, Maddie Antone and Chuck Goodwin all of Winthrop.
• Returners: Jensen Howell (Northwestern St), Savanah Henley (Purdue), Morgan Scott (UNC Greensboro), Peyton Darnell (USC Upstate), Tiffany Domingue (USC Upstate), Hannah Goodwin (Clemson)