May 28, 2010
Despite losing two of its top three hitters and one of its all-time top pitchers to graduation at the end of last year, the Siena softball team has high hopes for the 2010 season and believes it can finish even better than last season's 12-31 record.
Head Coach Deanna Parks enters her fourth season at the helm with a balanced mix of both youth and experience. Senior Lauren Weingart anchors the group both on the field and in the middle of the lineup and looks to complete one of the best careers in Siena softball history by going out on top. Versatile junior Courtney Brinkman and sophomore Amanda Filippazzo look to continue their success both in the circle and at the plate. Add in a now seasoned group of sophomores who shined last season combined with one of the best incoming classes in recent history and there is reason to believe that the Siena softball team can take the next step and return to the MAAC Championships in 2010.
PITCHERS
The Saints are anchored in the circle by sophomore ace Amanda Filippazzo. The West Islip, N.Y. native emerged as Siena's top pitching option during her freshman campaign when she posted five wins and a team-best 3.03 ERA. Filippazzo demonstrated strong swing and miss potential as well as she fanned 102 batters - the third highest single-season title in program history. Filippazzo is expected to anchor the rotation again this year as she looks to take the next step and become one of the premier hurlers in the MAAC. Filippazzo also has shown the ability to be a competent option at the plate, where she hit .256 a year ago and should see time once again this season in the middle of the Saints' lineup.
Like Filippazzo, junior Courtney Brinkman is also extremely versatile and a key barometer to the Saints success once again this season. Brinkman had an up and down season in the circle in 2009, but showed flashes of her potential with some dominant outings. While Filippazzo is projected as the ace, expect to see Brinkman take a more prominent role as the Saints' second option in the circle this season. When not in the circle, Brinkman has proved to be a consistent presence at the plate and whether she is pitching or playing in the outfield, should see the bulk of time near the top of the Saints' lineup.
Freshman Amanda Ferro, who will be used primarily for her bat as a position player, could see action as well in the circle. The local product from Clifton Park, N.Y., Ferro was a First Team All-State selection at Shenendehowa where she led the Plainsmen to the Section II Championship while posting a 21-2 record with 206 strikeouts and a 0.76 ERA.
CATCHERS
Sophomore Nastasha Powlowsky burst onto the scene last year to secure the starting spot behind the plate and was the only Saint to play and start in all 43 games. Entering last season, the catcher position had been a major question mark following the graduation of one of the all-time greats Andrea Piela, but Powlowsky proved to be a more than suitable replacement both behind the dish and batting at it. A strong defensive catcher, Powlowsky committed just four errors while throwing out 31% of would-be base stealers and called solid games day in and day out. Her performance at the plate was a bonus, where she showed a flare for the gopher ball in ranking second on the team with her four home runs. Powlowsky will once again anchor the vital catcher position as one of the top young backstops in the MAAC.
Classmate Jen Duell and freshman Alexis Gonzalez could also see some time spelling Powlowsky this season. A versatile player who is likely to see time once again at a number of positions, Duell was more than a serviceable backup last season and returns as one of the Saints' top utility players. Gonzalez, who was a two-time Louisville Slugger/NFCA High School All-Region selection at Hauppauge High, has a strong bat and gives coach Parks another top hitting option in the lineup.
INFIELDERS
The left side of the Saints' infield this season may turn out to be the best in the conference. Senior Lauren Weingart is expected to shift to the hot corner at third base this season, while highly touted freshman Shannon Jones has the stranglehold on shortstop.
One of the best hitters in program history and a Preseason All-MAAC selection, Weingart battled through some injuries to lead all regulars with a .267 average with seven home runs and 26 RBI last season. A versatile defender who can play three of the four infield positions, Weingart should be a solid fit at third base. In the lineup, Weingart anchors the middle of the order as one of the top cleanup hitters in the league. Not only can she hit for power, but average as well and is a smart hitter who knows how to drive in runs when the opportunity presents.
Jones meanwhile joins the program as one of the most talked about incoming freshman in program history. A local standout at nearby Troy High, she compiled a long list of accolades during her career, most notable of which was being named the Big Ten Softball Player of the Year and Section II Player of the Year. A phenomenal hitter who figures to bat right away in the middle of Siena's lineup, Jones is a strong defender as well who very likely could be in the discussion for the conference Rookie of the Year award if her potential pans out.
Senior Jessica Mushel emerged last season to be a strong defender at second base and also came through late in the year with her bat as well. A cerebral player and team leader, Mushel is the quarterback of the Saints' infield defense. With fellow second baseman Alyssa Sceppaguercio likely to miss a bulk of the season due to injury, the second base spot is Mushel's to lose.
Following the graduation of Renee Clavette, first base is a question mark entering the season. Weingart could see time on the right side as could the versatile Gonzalez and Duell. Junior Kirstyn Vaughn and freshman Kayla Kaminsky are also in the mix for what likely will be the most fought after position on the squad.
Rounding out Siena's infield are Sara Gallacchi and Emily Snow. Gallacchi provides the Saints depth at both middle infield spots both with her bat and her glove, while Snow returns as a top pinch-running threat off the bench.
OUTFIELDERS
Seven different Saints will compete for time at the three outfield positions this season. When they are not pitching, Filippazzo and Brinkman could see action in the corner spots, while Ferro will likely see the majority of her time roaming centerfield.
Seniors Stacie Sueda and Courtney Mahan each should see substantial playing time in the outfield. One of the fastest players on the team and a strong slap hitter, Sueda hit .282 last season and could challenge for time at the top of the Saints lineup. Mahan meanwhile is finally healthy and looks to make an impact at the corner outfield spots in her final go around in Loudonville.
Sophomore Lindsey McKeever emerged as the everyday rightfielder last season and was a strong defensive presence. She ranked second on the team with four outfield assists and committed just two errors all year long. McKeever has the inside track to retain her starting spot in right again in 2010.
Rounding out the group is junior Kristen Borsella. One of the fastest players on the team, Borsella is a smart base runner who provides a solid late-inning spark on the basepaths.
SCHEDULE
After playing in 43 games a year ago, weather permitting, the Saints will increase their schedule by 10 games this spring by playing a total of 53 tilts. Siena once again opens the season on the road with their first 21 games away from Siena field and will play 33 of their first 35 games on the road this year. The Saints open the year at USC Upstate in Spartanburg, S.C. on Feb. 24 to be followed by 20 more road tilts covering four different states over the following month. Included in those games are tournaments such as the Winthrop Invitational (Feb. 26-28), the Radford Invitational (Mar. 20-21) and the Coastal Carolina Invitational (Mar. 26-28).
Siena embarks upon its home slate on Mar. 30 in Loudonville when it hosts Big East power Syracuse in doubleheader action. The homestand will be shortlived however as the Saints go back on the road for 12 more games, including the start of MAAC play beginning at defending MAAC Tournament Champion Canisius (Apr. 10).
The Saints return home again for a double dip with Colgate (Apr. 14) and open home conference action Apr. 24 against Manhattan. Following a grueling road slate to begin the season, the Saints finish with 10 of their final 12 games at Siena field including a two-game set with crosstown rival UAlbany (Apr. 27). The Saints and Great Danes square off six times in total this season.
Should Siena finish in the top-four of the conference standings at the end of the year, they would advance to the MAAC Tournament which will be held this year from May 13-16 on the campus of Canisius College in Buffalo, N.Y.
