Garden City, N.Y.- One year removed from the program's first NCAA appearance since joining the Northeast-10 Conference, the Adelphi University softball team looks to keep the momentum going and will kick things off on March 2 against the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
 
The Panthers have a veteran laden roster led by a senior class of eight. In all 14 of the 16 players on the roster have collegiate playing experience, which will give Adelphi depth and flexibility to go along with a wealth of game experience that could prove vital as a new coach takes the helm after the off season resignation of Paige Smith, who moved onto Seton Hall.  
 
After the resignation of Smith, University of Buffalo graduate Breanne Nasti, one of the most dominant offensive player in UB softball history and the holder of eight career records was tabbed. She then added fellow Long-Islander Ophir Sadeh to keep watch over the infield and the bullpen, allowing her to work with hitters and the outfield.  
 
This year's team and staff face a stiff challenge in a stacked Southwest Division that features three regionally ranked teams from a year ago, including region number one Southern Connecticut State. The Conference's Softball Coaches preseason poll reflected the regional strength from a year ago, selecting Adelphi third in this year's Southwest Division, receiving one first-place vote. Adelphi was selected behind Southern Connecticut State University, who received 11 first places votes and the University of New Haven.
 
BULLPEN
The Panthers are loaded both behind the plate and on the mound, featuring two catchers with significant collegiate game experience in Elizabeth Lindner and Meghan Heiser. Heiser was the team leader in home runs a year ago, notching eight and posted the highest slugging percentage at .517.
 
Freshman Stephanie Barbaro has also been added to the group, who combined with the seniors will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the field. “Similar to our pitching staff, I feel our catchers complement each other well,” says Coach Nasti, “with each highlighting strengths in different areas of the position”.
 
Adelphi returns all three starting pitchers from a year ago, led by senior Devon Kelly, who boasted an impressive 1.82 ERA in 33 appearances and 161.2 innings pitched.  Senior Laurin Watts also returns after throwing 118.1 innings last season and fanning 114 batters. Junior Katie Andrews rounds out the trio and is coming off a 9-3 season and 28 appearances on the mound.
 
“I am excited to see what will come out of the bullpen this season,” says Nasti. “The fact that we have three experienced upperclassmen pitchers who complement each other well can prove to be a huge advantage for us.”
 
 
INFIELD
As team strewn with seniors, the Panthers have high expectations especially in terms of position players where they have nine returners and addt two newcomers. However, the team does have one hole to fill after the key loss of first baseman Amanda Krier, who batted .326 last year with 34 RBI, too graduation.
 
The middle of the field will be anchored by returning three-year starters and seniors Jeanine Leo and Heather Salerno who saw action in all 56 games a year ago and have been the center of Adelphi's defense for the past three years. They each posted fielding percentages above .930, score 49 runs and drive in 29.
 
“Keeping with the theme of experience, athleticism, and versatility, we are able to function within a system that allows our infielders a great deal of freedom to trust their instincts in any situation,” comments Nasti.
 
Sophomore Victoria Wink, who was also named to the NE-10 All Rookie team after last season, will continue to provide strong defense at third base, while looking to improve at the plate and raise her .306 average. “Our infield is extremely versatile,” Nasti explains, “with a number of athletes capable of playing multiple positions well.”
 
Renee Marchewka will be used as a utility infielder so the staff can take advantage of her ability to play all four positions, while newcomer Jordan Catalano will compete with Andrews for reps at first base.
 
 
OUTFIELD
Last season's table-setter and NFCA All-Region Honoree Emily Dorko, will remain a fixture at the top of the line-up and in center field where she'll be joined by, sophomores Kayla Reiger and Jaclyn Binstock. Dorko led the Northeast-10 Conference in stolen bases (35) and hits (75) and put up an impressive .405 batting average last spring. Reiger and Binstock had strong freshman campaigns, hitting .336 and .331 with a combined 32 runs batted in and 47 runs scored, earning Reiger a spot on the NE-10 All-Rookie team and Binstock a third-team all-conference nod.
 
“What impresses me most about our outfield is the amount of speed we have, allowing for a great deal of range and ground covered,” commented Nasti. Last season there were 161 combined put-outs for all five returning outfielders.
 
Senior Amy Caird and junior Courtney Sullivan round out the outfield and are expected to see plenty of game action as Caird appeared in 42 games a year ago with 12 starts and Sullivan saw action in 26 games.
 
SCHEDULE
The Panthers are scheduled to play host to two Northeast-10 Conference opponents and one East Coast Conference team before traveling to Florida for their southern swing, where they are slated to compete in 12 games over seven days at the Rebel Games in Kissimmee. Among their competitors in Florida will be Minnesota State University-Mankato who was ranked #1 in their region at the conclusion of last season and NCAA Regional participants Ashland, Wayne State and cross island rival LIU-Post.
 
Upon returning back to the northeast, the Panthers will begin conference play Tuesday March 19 at 3:30 p.m. with a single game against Pace University, which will kick start the conference schedule, as Adelphi will play an NE-10 opponent in seven out of eight contests. In mid-April the Brown and Gold will squeeze in a non-conference double headers against one of the CACC's best, Caldwell and ECC power Dowling, before closing out the regular season on the road against St. Rose on April 28.  
 
Despite such a challenging slate of games, the Panthers will keep their focus on the task at hand, “Our team knows my philosophy is not based in looking ahead and discussing goals and expectations, however I do feel strongly about our capabilities and the distances we can go as a team,” Nasti explained.