Grace Corner joins a prestigious list as just the second Marple Newtown player to be named Daily Times Softball Player of the Year, following Heather Ericcson in 1993. Grace stood at the center of one of the most successful runs in Marple Newtown High School history. She helped guide the Tigers to back-to-back District 1 Class 5A championships in 2024 and 2025 — and played a pivotal role in securing the school’s first Central League title since 1999.
Grace grew up in Broomall with her parents and two younger sisters. Always athletic, she tried a few different sports as a young girl including swimming, diving and tennis. But she didn’t actually pick up a bat and glove until she was in eighth grade.
“During the pandemic, there weren’t many structured activities going on and my mom encouraged me to join NSPL’s (Newtown Square Petticoat League) Fall Ball,” recalled Grace. Although she had never played softball before, Grace said she discovered she really enjoyed the sport and after the fall season was over, she joined the NSPL Rebels’ Travel team as well as a Delco tournament team.
When Grace started high school at Marple Newtown, she tried out for the school team, assuming she’d make the Junior Varsity. “I didn’t think I was good enough for Varsity.” But she not only made the Varsity team, she quickly developed her skills as a catcher and by mid-season that year she was calling her own games. “At first Coach Snow taught me how to call games and later that season I embraced the challenge of calling them myself,” she said. That season Grace learned how to scout hitters, study spray charts and tailor game plans to the pitchers’ strengths.
During her sophomore year, Grace suffered some adversity with a back injury and was unable to play tennis and compete in softball tournament teams. She continued dealing with back pain and undergoing Physical Therapy her junior year. “There were definitely some times when I was in a lot of pain, but I learned how to manage it,” she explained. That year, Grace helped lead the team to the Districts, where they defeated West Chester
East. “Ever since I was a freshman, I was determined to win a district championship!”
That determination was also instrumental in the Tigers’ impressive 2025 season, which ended with a 20-3 record and another District Championship, defeating West Chester East. Throughout the season and playoffs, not only were Grace’s skills behind the plate impressive, but she also had a .482 batting average. She finished her career with more than 100 hits and 100 RBIs.
But it wasn’t just the wins and stats that made Grace enjoy her last season as an MN Tiger. “Senior year was definitely my favorite season and not just because of how successful we were,” said Grace. “We all bonded together really well, and together we had so much chemistry. Everybody supported each other. It was an experience I’ll never forget.”
Grace said she also enjoyed becoming a leader and embraced her role as a captain. “ I really liked building trust with young pitchers like freshman Ally Snyder and sophomore Ava Kelly. As a Captain, I noticed players really looked to me for advice and confided in me,” she remarked.
Not only did Grace have the honor of being the Daily Times Player of the Year, she was also named 2nd team All-State, 1st team All-Central and All-Delco along with some of her teammates. Now, as a recent Marple grad, Grace is looking to take a gap year before deciding what’s next. She’s not ruling out playing college softball. “Next season I’ll be an assistant coach for MN,” she said. “I just love softball!!”
Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors congratulates Grace and the Marple Newtown High School Softball team on their District Championship! We wish them luck next season!