Garden City, N.Y.- The Adelphi University Softball team opens 2014 on Saturday, March 8 in Winter Haven, Florida against Ohio Dominican and look to build on the success they had in 2013, under then-first year Head Coach Breanne Nasti. Last spring the Panthers finished 41-19 and advanced to the NCAA Division II East Super Regional for the first time in program history. However, the Brown and Gold lost eight veteran players from a year ago and this year's squad is built on youth, power and toughness.
 
Expectations for the Season
 
The expectations for the Panthers going into this season are straightforward, to work hard and compete every day and every game. "We, as a coaching staff believe it is better to focus on the daily process than to think and discuss goals and expectations," Nasti explained.
 
The goal for the Brown and Gold is to be a fundamentally sound team that plays smart softball. The 2014 squad will focus on being disciplined, accountable, proactive, and hard working. The Panthers will also be dedicated to learning and improving all season. "When we take care of the  everyday the results will take care of themselves and will be positive," Nasti stated.
 
Junior Victoria Wink echoes Nasti's belief that the squad needs to let the results take care of themselves. "We have been working hard day-by-day in preparation for our season. We plan on continuing to work hard every moment and let the results take care of themselves."
 
Team Must Move Forward
 
Although last year's season was historic, the dynamics of every season are different. "While it is important to feel proud of our accomplishments and share them with others, we must always look forward and aim to do the very best with what we have," Nasti said.
 
Adelphi got a taste of a deep NCAA run last season and are hungry for more in 2014. "We ended last season strong and we have brought that same passion and dedication into this season as well. Our first game is days away and we could not be any more excited to get out there," Wink stated.
 
Squad Returns a Strong Core
 
The Panthers return three starters, senior Katie Andrews and junior infielder and outfielder Victoria Wink and Jaclyn Binstock.
 
Andrews had a career season in 2013 earning NFCA All-Region, Daktronics All-Region, and NE-10 All-Conference statuses after hitting .380 with 38 RBI and 70 hits. However, this season Andrews will be asked to perform on the mound as well as with the bat.
 
Wink is coming off of an historic season that saw her set an Adelphi single season record with 57 RBI, while hitting .370 with 71 hits, and 15 doubles. Those numbers at the plate, combined with her defensive abilities at the hot corner, earned her inclusion on the NFCA All-Region, Daktronics All-Region and NE-10 All-Conference teams.
 
Binstock put together a solid season in 2013, hitting .310 with 26 runs scored and 40 hits in an injury shortened campaign. With two strong seasons in an Adelphi uniform on her resume, Binstock will be expected to be a major contributor this spring.
 
Impact of Upperclassman
 
Since taking over the head coaching job, Nasti believes that everyone on the team is capable of being a leader. "While we do not have official captains, we will look to our juniors and seniors for the majority of our leadership and to speak on behalf of the team when need be."
 
Despite being outside only a handful of times this spring, the upperclassman worked to keep the morale of the team high. "Their passion and desire to do great things is evident in their actions and we will rely on them to reinforce our messages as well as express their own," Nasti explained.

Squad Graduated Eight Players from Last Year's Team
 
The Panthers lost eight veterans from last year's regional toping squad, including the entire middle of the infield, catchers Elizabeth Lindner, Meghan Heiser, pitchers Devon Kelly, Laurin Watts, second baseman Heather Salerno, shortstop Jeanine Leo and centerfielder Emily Dorko.
 
Although the squad lost such a large core of players to graduation, Nasti believes that there is enough talent in a Panther uniform this season to keep Adelphi's place at the top of the East Region pile secure.  "While you can never "replace" those you lose, we feel confident in the fact that we have brought in the right type of people and athletes to continue the tradition of excellence we have here at Adelphi," Nasti stated.
 
Stepping into the hole behind the plate left by the graduation of Linder and Heiser are sophomore Stephanie Barbaro and Delaware University junior transfer Mary O'Reilly. "Steph spent a great deal of last year learning our systems and gaining knowledge. We feel this to be a huge advantage for her and we are looking for her to pass that along to our newcomers," Nasti said.
 
Freshmen Danielle Cutuli, Christina Palmenteri and Melaney Reichelt will compete for playing time in the middle infield, helping to ease the pain of losing four year starters Leo and Salerno. Cutuli, Palmenteri and Reichelt will not only be needed in the field but on the base paths, where their speed will help Adelphi keep teams off balance.
 
Sophomore Jordan Catalano proved herself capable of handling the bag at first base last season with a .321 batting average in 22 appearances, including 12 starts and will provide Adelphi with depth and flexibility, along with Andrews.  
 
Leadoff Legend
 
Dorko turned in a season for the ages in 2013, missing out on a .500 batting average by just .005. She also swiped 21 bags and is the program's all-time steals leader. Her 107 hits, a program single season record, and 57 runs, another program record, will be missed and helped her to NFCA and Daktronics All-American nods.
 
"There is no doubt we will miss her bat at the top of our line-up," Nasti said. "But, we feel that the speed of our newcomers, their combined bats and excitement will ease the loss and keep players on the bath paths."
 
2014 Schedule
 
The Panthers open the 2014 season with a swing through the Sunshine State. Adelphi will compete in the Rebel Games, and will also take on nationally recognized programs from the University of Tampa and St. Leo University.  "We believe every game we play is just as important as the previous game, as well as the next game. We don't add significance to any one game over another," Nasti explained.
 
Conference play starts the fourth week in March when the Brown and Gold take on Saint Michael's College and Saint Anselm in doubleheaders on March 22^nd and March 23^rd. "We expect the Southwest Division to once again be a strong division and look forward to competing in three- game series with many of the best teams in the Northeast-10," Nasti stated when asked about the Southwest Division.
 
The Panthers also have a critical, late season seven game, in five day stretch, away from home, April 15-19 that features Regional power Caldwell and NE-10 foes New Haven and AIC. The squad finishes the season with a three game homestand against NE-10 foes, the University of New Haven on April 22^nd and the College of Saint Rose on April 25-26^th.