Softball to open Saturday with lofty expectations
The MCLA Softball team made the NCAA tournament a year ago after sweeping through the MASCAC tournament. The Trailblazers will have lofty goals in 2016, including having their eyes on a return trip to the tournament
North Adams, MA- In 2015, the MCLA Softball program began with many question marks in head coach Jamie Trudeau's first season. The club started slowly, however they rebounded to go 9-5 in MASCAC play and then promptly swept through the MASCAC tournament earning a trip to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1995.
The Trailblazers are hoping that history repeats itself as they are the favorites to win the league again in 2016. The Trailblazers return a host of veterans, including all conference performers Rachel Quackenbush (RHP) and Michaela DiNicola (OF). Here is a look at the 2016 team as they prepare for the season opener on Saturday in Clermont, FL.
Off the Mound-
The Trailblazers return one of the top pitchers in the region in Rachel Quackenbush. The senior has set school records for strikeouts in a season and holds the career record as well. She won 10 games last season and picked up 3 saves while compiling a miniscule 1.65 ERA. The righthander struck out 179 batters in 148.2 innings pitched. Quackenbush will be counted on to log significant innings if the Trailblazers are to be successful.
MCLA lost its number two starter to graduation in Amanda Meczywor which means that junior Katelyn Henault will have to pick up the slack. She appeared in five games a season ago, a number that will be much higher in 2016.
In the Infield-
MCLA will return four regulars from the infield off of last year's team. Returning at third base is Abby Lucas. The senior batted .297 last year with 6 doubles, a triple and a homer. She drove in 14 runs in 2015. Fellow seniors Angelica Perfido and Sierra Bailey also return. Perfido played mostly shortstop in 2015 and hit .292 for the Trailblazers, while Bailey saw action at numerous infield slots and hit. 261. Both should see plenty of action in the infield.
Returning behind the plate will be another senior Jenn Sicinski. She rapped out 7 doubles and drove in 13 runs while proving her worth as a quality backstop for the Trailblazers. Lucas also has some experience behing the plate and could battle for some time.
Newcomers in the infield include freshman Chelsea Coleman and Samantha Boyle, who returns to the Trailblazers after taking 2015 off. Both should compete for starting slots with Coleman playing up the middle primarily and Boyle on the corners.
In the Outfield-
MCLA will also return a host of outfielders who saw plenty of action in 2015. Returning to patrol center field is senior Michaela DiNicola. The left handed hitter led the team with a .328 batting average a year ago with 40 base knocks. She also stole five bases. Joining her in the outfield is junior Alex Romano. She totaled 27 hits last season which included 5 doubles.
Sophomore Julie Watson returns as well after a freshman season that saw her appear in 31 games and collecting 17 hits. Others competing for time include sophomores Fran Belli and Jamie Meehan. Both saw limited action in 2015 but should have increased roles this year. Freshman Katie Berghela should also compete for time in the outfield after a strong fall season for MCLA.
Schedule
The MCLA Softball schedule begins on Saturday as they attempt to defend last season's MASCAC tournament championship beginning with their annual trip to Clermont, FL. The program will compete in a 40 game slate, including ten games on the southern swing.
All games in 2016 will be doubleheaders. MCLA opens up on March 12th with games against UMass-Boston and Clarkson in the sunshine state. The Trailblazers will then play Endicott and Lasell University on the 13th before earning a day off. Head Coach Jamie Trudeau's troops will return on the 15th to challenge Norwich and Becker and on the 16th play Rutgers-Newark and regional power Ithaca.
Following another off day, the Trailblazers conclude the ten game swing with matchups against North Central (IL) and Allegheny. MCLA will then have twelve days off after returning north and will open the northern slate on March 30th on the road at RPI. The following day marks the home opener (3/31) when they host Southern Vermont.
The Trailblazers will open defense of their MASCAC crown on April 2nd when they travel to Salem State. MCLA will then play a pair of non league DH's during the week hosting Lyndon State (4/5) and traveling to Amherst (4/6). The Trailblazers return to conference play on the 9th when they host Framingham State at Zavattaro athletics complex.
The busy schedule continues as MCLA has road tilts at Bay Path (4/12) and Sage (4/13) before hosting MASCAC foe Fitchburg State on the 15th. The conference slate continues on Patriots Day when MCLA will travel to Mass. Maritime.
MCLA will then take the short trip to local foe Williams College (4/20) before starting a six game homestand. MCLA will host Bridgewater State on the 23rd and Coach Trudeau's troops will then battle Westfield State at home on the 26th. The homestand wraps up with Castleton coming to town on the 28th.
The Trailblazers wrap up the MASCAC and regular season with a road game to Worcester State on the 30th. The program will defend their conference title the following week as games are scheduled to start on May 5th.