Mount's Cianfrocca Jersey's Best
On Max Prep's 2026 National List

There are plenty of built-in advantages of growing up in Florida, California, Arizona or Georgia and being able to play softball in more months than not, which frequently translates into those high school players having an edge in terms of notoriety or in landing big-time Division I college attention.

And, while those individuals in the Sun Belt - whether it’s the Deep South or out West - may have the upper hand in terms of getting in more outdoor reps with Mother Nature’s warmer and sunnier glow, that doesn’t mean some of the very best players in America aren’t from the Northeast, including right here in the New Jersey.

Max Preps recently came out with its list of the ‘Best Softball Players In Every State Heading Into the 2026 Season’ and the pick as the No. 1 player in the Garden State is Mount St. Dominic’s senior Villanova University commit Jill Cianfrocca, who also happens to be the reigning 2025 statewide Player of the Year according to nj.com and Sideline Chatter’s Essex County Player of the Year.

While the young ladies in the South can get outside with early softball training sooner than any Jersey Girl right now, that doesn’t stop players like Cianfrocca or her Mount teammates, who keep going with workouts after summer and fall ball following last June’s crowning as the state’s No. 1 team after winning the NJSIAA Non-Public A state championship.

The Mount’s veteran standout first baseman definitely knows about delivering big-time hits. After all, her leadoff seventh inning solo home run proved to be the decisive run as the Lions captured its first overall Non-Public A crown since 2014 with a 4-3 victory over No. 1 ranked Donovan Catholic in the 2025 state final at Ivy Hill Park.

The 2-time SC Essex Player of the Year batted leadoff in a potent Mount lineup last spring while setting the table rather effectively, scoring 49 runs and knocking in 30 runs with 14 doubles and 10 home runs to go along with 33 walks, 10 stolen bases, a .516 BA and an impressive 1.044 slugging %.   

“Great players come up biggest when most needed,” Mount veteran coach Rob Stern said at the time and now the Lions’ senior leader is being mentioned right there with the best players in the country on the Max Preps pre-season list.

“It’s a great honor to even make that list with so many great players around this state and the nation,” Cianfrocca said. “I’m just so happy to be returning for another season with a great group of girls on our Mount team as we’ll look to defend our county and state titles.

“I definitely think there will be a target on our backs, but that fires us up even more to be a better team in 2026.”

Stern certainly relishes the knowledge that he has a historic Lions player, and one of the nation’s very best returning seniors, returning for another season in Cianfrocca.

“Jill is one of them and it is a tribute to what she has accomplished the past two seasons with us that she is on that list put out by Max Preps,” said the Mount head mentor. “She is one of the most complete layers I’ve ever coached, and it can be deceiving to some people because she’s much more than just a great power hitter.

“She extremely athletic and can steals bases with her great speed, she has a terrific arm and plays superb defense.”

“Villanova likes players who can hit the ball over the fence and she certainly does that!”     

The Mount will return almost its entire lineup from last year other than outfielder Carlee Paez (Sacred Heart University) moving on to the next level. Michigan commit Ava Kelshaw returns in the circle for her high school junior season along with other veterans such as junior shortstop Bella Ianitelli and Jill’s sister, sophomore infielder-pitcher Abby Cianfrocca, who filled in admirably as a pitcher last spring when Kelshaw was sidelined for a period of time with a back ailment.

“Abby is a good corner infielder and a tremendous hitter,” said Jill. “It’s great to have so many talented players returning this year, and we’re all excited to get going together in the outdoors, that’s for sure.”

Some of the Mount players, including the Cianfroccas, have been doing indoor training at Hustle Baseball and Softball in Fairfield.

“Our kids are working hard and we’re excited to getting going with our pre-season,” said Stern. “It looks like we should start out with a 25-player roster and numbers like that means a lot of competition for playing time which is a good thing.

“Our biggest hope right now is for better weather to come before we head into practice on March 9.”