Softball selected second in MASCAC preseason poll, ready to usher in Trudeau era
The MCLA Softball program has been selected to finish 2nd in the MASCAC preseason poll. The Trailblazers kick off their season next Saturday in Clermont, FL.
March 5, 2015
North Adams, MA- In May of 2013, the MCLA softball team was one game away from punching their ticket to the NCAA tournament. The Trailblazers couldn't seize the moment and weren't able to secure that elusive win. Now, after taking a step back in 2014, the Trailblazers look to once again knock on the door of a MASCAC championship and an NCAA tournament berth.
According to the MASCAC preseason poll, the Trailblazers are one of the favorites to snag the title. MCLA was selected to finish second in the recently announced poll.
MCLA returns five core players who came up short in 2013 and eight returners from last year's squad that went 13-17 overall and 9-5 in conference. The 9-5 record last year in conference was still a solid showing last year, but that was mainly on the arm of junior pitcher Rachel Quackenbush. Quackenbush improved on her first campaign with MCLA, even though her record didn't reflect. Quackenbush was only 9-10 last season despite posting a 1.91 era and collecting 196 strikeouts in 128 innings pitched.
The reason for the Trailblazers struggles was the inability to push runs across. In 2013 MCLA hit .250 as a team, but in 2014 that fell to .206.
Michaela DiNicola and Amanda Meczywor were the two bright spots at the dish last season and look to be catalysts once again in a strong offense. DiNicola hit .329 last season and Meczywor reached base at a .375 clip. The Trailblazers also welcome back infielder Angelica Perfido, Perfido sat out last year, but hit .270 the year before. The Trailblazers also have utility player Abigail Lucas returning, who has served as a useful bat off the bench in her first two seasons with MCLA. Lucas is a career .271 hitter and hit .324 last season for MCLA in a reserve role.
Jennifer Sicinski also returns for MCLA as she led the team in extra-base hits in 2014 and is slick with the glove.
While MCLA knows the offense needs to be better, how much they achieve this year will be decided on the mound. Pitching and defense is the formula to having a successful season. Quackenbush has been historic since she arrived on the North Adams campus. The team will rely on her to be the ace of the staff and log a lot of innings again in 2015. Meczywor has been a solid #2 over the last two seasons, posting a 3.65 era last season and will continue to be a change of pace off the mound in 2015 for MCLA.
The Trailblazers will also have new direction this year as Jamie Trudeau takes over the program for the first time in 2015. Trudeau has inherited a team that has gone 19-9 in conference play over the last two seasons and knows this team has a chance to win. "We expect to be competitive within the conference this year both defensively and now offensively. The return of senior captain Amanda Mezcywor and junior Rachael Quakenbush on the mound gives us great chance to win, and we have worked hard in the off-season to develop our offense."
MCLA opens up in a little over a week with their annual spring trip. The Trailblazers will open on March 14th with a doubleheader versus Smith and the University of New England in Clermont, Florida. The schedule also includes its home opener versus Salem State on March 28th. They will host a pair of NESCAC schools, when they take on Amherst College April 8th and Williams College on April 27th. The Trailblazers will face two-time defending MASCAC champ Bridgewater State at Bridgewater on April 20th.