2025 Shore Conference Softball Most Improved Player: Gabriella Bryce, Colts Neck

2025 Shore Conference Softball Most Improved Player

 

Gabriella Bryce, Colts Neck, Junior

Stats:

2024: .432 AVG, 29 Runs, 16 RBIS, 7 2B, 2 3B, 7 HR, 9 BB, 4 SB, .795 SLG

2023: .346 AVG, 23 Runs, 15 RBIS. 2 2B, 3, 3B, 1 HR, 3 BB, 3 SB, .481 SLG

 

The Cougars shortstop made big improvements at the plate in 2025 compared to 2024, especially in the power numbers. Bryce has improved her batting average every season since her freshman year, going from .295 in 2023 to .346 in 2024 and .432 this season. She hit over .400 this season despite consistently facing some of the best pitchers in the state. Bryce had to face several elite pitchers including two match-ups with Madison McDougall from St. John Vianney, three match-ups with Madilynn Boyce from Middletown North, three match-ups with Lily Hagan from Red Bank Catholic, and three-matchups with Emily Gaudio from Marlboro.

 

“Gabby worked extremely hard in the off-season and during the season both offensively and defensively,” Colts Neck head coach Anthony Iachello said. “Her hand-eye coordination is incredible, and she can hit to all fields. Gabby was able to hit for power as well as contact against the toughest pitchers in the state. She is a fierce competitor.”

 

Bryce also saw a big jump in home runs in 2025. Last year she hit one home run. This year she hit seven home runs with five of them coming within a five game span. Her remarkable run started in the quarterfinal round of the Shore Conference Tournament when she hit a solo home run in the top of the 8th inning to give Colts Neck a 2-1 win over Middletown North. In her very next game, she hit two home runs against Middletown South before following that up with a solo home run in the Shore Conference Tournament semifinal round against Marlboro. 

 

“When it came to our Shore Conference Tournament run Gabby was the spark for us offensively,” Iachello said. “Hitting for power and driving in runs in the lead-off spot was a huge reason for our overall team success. As the lead-off hitter she set the tone, but more importantly she was the leader out in the field. Her high softball IQ is what sets her apart from many players in the Shore. When the ball was put into play, she was the one that wanted it hit to her. She wanted to make the plays. Gabby was all over the field and was a major part on both sides of the ball.”

 

Not only did Bryce improve in power and average, she went from 23 runs scored to 29 and also drew more walks. One reason she drew more walks was because teams wanted to take the bat out of her hand, especially during the postseason. She was intentionally walked in her last two at-bats against Marlboro in the Shore Conference Tournament semifinal  game. 

 

Bryce continued her hot-hitting in the Shore Conference Tournament final. She led the game off with a double and scored the the first run to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead in the top of the 1st inning. She went from hitting two doubles in 2024 to seven doubles this season.

 

Bryce, who is committed to USC Upstate, returns along with the majority of the Colts Neck team that made the Shore Conference Tournament championship this season. She will enter her senior year with 89 hits, 11 away from the 100-hit milestone. With her returning in the field and at the plate along with Angela Sasso returning on the mound, Colts Neck will be one of the preseason favorites in 2026 in both the Shore Conference and Central Jersey Group 3.

 

 

Finalists:

Brynn Utter, So., St. John Vianney:

2024: .406 AVG, 4 HR, 5  2B, 28 RBI, 11 SB, .703 SLG

2023: .317 AVG, 0 HR, 2 2B, 14 RBI, 8 SB, .417 SLG

 

Grace Lombardi, So., Red Bank Catholic:

2024: .518 AVG, 22 Runs, 26 RBIs, 7 2B, 5 3B, 11 SB, .723 SLG

2023: .329 AVG, 16 Runs, 17 RBIs, 4 2B, 2 3B, 1 SB, .430 SLG

 

Julia Henderson, Jr., Holmdel:

2024: 120 IP, 1.58 ERA, 160 K, 15 BB, 27 ER

2023: 112 IP, 4.81 ERA, 112 K, 26 BB, 77 ER

 

Olivia Stillwell, Jr., New Egypt:

2024: .484 AVG, 33 Runs, 35 RBIS, 17 2B, 2 HR, .736 SLG

2023: .387 AVG, 10 Runs, 17 RBIS, 1 2B, 0 HR, .403 SLG