Powder Puff Power

The Mermaids and She Shells, a collection of 30 athletic women, took to the Winterberry Athletic Field for the second annual Powder Puff Game on March 7. This year’s attendance topped last year’s with almost 400 cheering supporters!

Preparation for the game started in early November 2025, with a message to all prospective players asking, “Are you ready, ladies?” The Marco Island Senior Softball League’s men’s draft had just finished and it was time for the ladies to start training for the Powder Puff Game. A sign-up link was sent showing options for uniforms, and it had to be pink!

Coaches were locked in and it was decided that two couples would split the coaching duties, making it a wife-coached team versus a husband-coached team. Cindy Cunningham and Sandra Grygorcewicz coached the She Shells and predicted at least one victory dance number, while husbands Craig Cunningham and Big George Grygorcewicz coached the Mermaids team and had an astronomical confidence level in the outcome.

Co-chairs Michele Evangelista and Kim Coyle said that the popularity of the Powder Puff Game spread through word of mouth. “Come on, let’s have some fun,” was their message, and “the enthusiasm was contagious,” added Coyle.

The teams sported 15 players each and the game became a symbol of community spirit blended with empowerment.

The Rhinestone trophy was polished and sparkling, waiting for the winner. Karen Caster, a player from She Shells, threw out the first pitch. Caster has been married to pitcher Ed Caster for almost 50 years, and last year threw the inaugural pitch while receiving chemotherapy treatment. She is now cancer free – a great moment to celebrate!

In the end, the She Shells came away with the win, beating the Mermaids 9-8. Carol Nemmers and Cherise Cuevas Loy of She Shells each pounded out three hits to lead the She Shells; Nemmers spends her free time chasing pickleballs and golf balls and husband Dick plays for the DaVinci’s Team of the Men’s Senior Softball League. Cuevas is a minister and museum volunteer who does marriage and vow renewals. She is also a Florida family mediator and Virginia attorney.

Lisa Kramer and Teresa Krebs from the Mermaids team led with three hits each.

A big thank you to all the free-spirited Powder Puff players and co-founders Coyle and Evangelista for adding Powder Puff games to the Marco Island Senior Softball Games schedule. Evangelista is known affectionately for her “beauty, smarts, a brain that shops in her sleep, and a nickname of Pickles.” Coyle is a proud mom of three and a member of the 2025 Scavenger Hunt team!

CJ Fastpitch Players and coach Courtney Jordak-Fields brought some players to the game and participated in some of the pre-game events. They are the newest addition to fastpitch softball with two teams of girls at the 8u and 10u levels. Thank you to players Amelia Morze, Aubrey Trevino, Bella Shaughnessy, Cameron Hudspeth, Gracie Ogg, Harper Hansen, Meghan Dolan, Monroe Gentile, Morgan Rohletter, Savannah Burgin, Vivienne Tierney, Brielle Hudspeth, Emma Nesmith, Harper Radlovacki, Isabella Carmarillo, Peggy Clark, Talulah Gentile, Sailor Peters, and Ava Adams.

The Powder Puff game wouldn’t be nearly as fun without all the fans and family members who support the Marco Island Senior Softball Men’s Division. And of course, another big thank you goes to the 2026 Powder Puff corporate sponsor, Cav’s Kitchen and Cocktails.

She Shells Team roster: Janet Bergman, Karen Caster, Kim Coyle, Linda Friend, Barbara Goralski, Deb Lashley, Cherise Cuevas-Loy, Chris Mitchell, Carol Nemmers, Linda Nicholas, Julie Rogers, Jodi Price, Connie Vander Aarde, Gabby Stigall, and Carree St. Angelo. She Shells coaches were Cindy Cunningham and Sandra Grygorcewicz.

Mermaids Team roster: Michele Bartholomaus, Trina Clarkson, Michele Evangelista, Lisa Kramer, Teresa Krebs, Suzy Masulis, Kim Nelson, Kim Parker, Carmela Patrozza, Nancy Phillips, Pam Stat, Patti Thomas, Carol Willert, Carolyn Walsh, and Shelly Turski. Mermaids Coaches were Craig Cunningham and Big George Grygorcewicz.