The College’s softball team is more than ready to get their season underway. The Lions are back in the swing of things and are excited to show the talent they have built up over the offseason. Last season showcased great talent as the team ended with an impressive record of 26-17.
The Lions have a tough feat this season, as they were picked third overall in the NJAC preseason poll. With a total of 10 schools in this conference, this should give the team much incentive to play hard and fight until the end. Montclair State University was ranked first, followed by Rowan University.
This team is led by four returning Conference all-stars: senior infielder Ashley Sogluizzo, senior outfielder Liz Huttner, senior infielder Kelly Hommen and senior outfielder Michelle Casale. Sogluizzo won All-NJAC First Team honors last year for her particularly spectacular performance at second base, while Huttner has received the All-NJAC Second Team position twice.
Hommen and Casale both won prestigious 2012 All-NJAC Honorable Mentions for their performances at third base and outfield, respectively.
The players are excited to get this season started. Their first game was supposed to be on Friday, March 1 against Messiah College, but was postponed to a later date. That date is yet to be determined.
The freshmen on the team are looking forward to their collegiate play debut.
“As a freshman, I am very excited to be at TCNJ and part of the strong softball legacy here,” said freshman infielder Jacqueline Oram. “We have many talented returners as well as a big, hard-working freshman recruit class this year, so I would expect you will see a successful 2013 season. We have been training hard all year and can’t wait to get to Florida to get the season started.”
Oram is one of many freshmen making their appearances on the diamond this season, a total of 11 new members.
The other players also seem very accepting of the new faces as well.
“We have a large freshman class that adds to the talent of our returning players. Hopefully, we will see great things from our team as our season begins,” freshman pitcher Ashtin Helmer said.
The Lions will now begin their season in Clermont, Fla., where they will travel to on spring break and play a total of 12 games to prepare themselves for the rest of the season. They feel like they are ready to show what they have accomplished.
This season looks to be a very promising one for the Lions. Despite the delay of their first game, the pieces are all there for the team to succeed once they hit the field.
It looks likes sunny Florida will be the place to begin that success, and attempt to carry it over to the remainder of the season.
