UMass Dartmouth returns several top hitters and nine experienced veterans for 2003 softball season

(Dartmouth, MA) - With four of its top six hitters returning and a roster filled with nine players who saw significant action last season, the UMass Dartmouth Corsair softball team heads into the 2003 season with plenty of experience. Head Coach Marilyn Ritz enters her 20th season with the Corsairs with depth at almost every position and a handful of promising newcomers to the program. "I'm very excited about the start of the season," said Ritz, who will be joined by longtime assistant coach Joan Allison this season. "We have the potential to be a very explosive offensive team because of our ability to do many things with the bat. We have a number of players who can create offense with their speed, by beating out bunts and stealing bases. We want to capitalize on our quickness and play an aggressive style of offense." Leading the four returning veterans from last year's team which finished 11-21 and seventh in the Little East Conference are sophomores Vanessa Kennedy (Lakeville, MA), Allison Letendre (Westport, MA), Leah Segrin (Holden, MA) and junior co-captain Jennifer Kelley (Taunton, MA). With a .300 average in 28 games last season, Letendre is the top returning hitters for UMass Dartmouth. She finished third on the team in hits with 21 plus three doubles and eight RBI. In 15 games, Kennedy, hit .300, while Segrin finished at .290 with 18 hits and 10 RBI plus 14 runs scored. Kelley hit. 270 with 20 hits and knocked in 13 RBI, third best on the team. "The hitting has looked solid during the pre-season," Ritz said. "Our returning players have a much better understanding about what it takes to be a successful hitter in the LEC. I'm very pleased with the overall improvement and their desire to get better." Ritz will count heavily on the leadership provided by senior catcher Lauren Johnson (West Boylston, MA), a three- year captain for the Corsairs. Since taking over as a captain prior to her sophomore season, Johnson has been one of the Corsairs' most important players, both on offense and behind the plate, handling the pitching staff. Johnson hit .239 last season but finished with 12 RBI and scored 12 runs. "Lauren does an excellent job of calling a game and will be a tremendous asset to the talented but inexperienced pitching staff," said Ritz. Rounding out the returning veterans who will be competing for spots in the starting lineup are junior co-captain Heather Lomuscio (Boston, MA) (.161, 10 hits) along with sophomore Tracy Penney (West Roxbury, MA) (.208, 15 hits) in the outfield. Junior Karli Gliesman (Fiskdale, MA) (.118, 7 RBI) is back for another season at second base, while Bethany Brogna (Lynn, MA) will return to either third base or the outfield after knee surgery knocked her out of last season. Without any experienced pitchers returning, the Corsairs will have to find a starter from a group including Penney and several first-year players. Among the rookies who are getting a chance on the mound are Cheryl Boltruczyk (Sutton, MA), who can also play first base and shortstop and Amanda Leal (New Bedford, MA), an infielder as well. Several first-year players could see plenty of action this season, according to Ritz, giving the Corsairs plenty of flexibility with their starting lineup. Jennifer Bannish (Westfield, MA) can play either third or the outfield, while Ashleigh Belanger (Billerica, MA) could see action at shortstop or behind the plate. Jayne Bethoney (Walpole, MA) is a catcher, while the Tavares twins, Amanda and Melissa (Dartmouth, MA), can play several positions between them. "Defense should be our strength this year," Ritz said. "Just about every player can play more than one position which is a great advantage in putting a solid team on the field. We have a cohesive group of returning players who understand the importance of sound defense and have the ability and experience to execute in the field." Once again this season, UMass Dartmouth will open its season by participating in the Gene Cusick Classic in Fort Myers, Florida, playing six games in six days before returning to campus. The Corsairs will open the New England portion of their schedule with road games at Wheaton College March 25 and March 27 at Worcester State before opening the LEC season at home on Saturday, March 29 with a double header against Plymouth State College. According to Ritz, the Panthers of Plymouth State will be an important early season test for the Corsairs because of their strong pitching staff. LEC rivals from Western Connecticut should join Plymouth State as the top teams in the conference this season. Having defeated NCAA Tournament-bound Wheaton last season and narrowly losing a tiebreaker to another NCAA team in Bridgewater State, the Corsairs appear poised to improve on their won-loss record this season. "With all eight LEC teams qualifying for the tournament this season, its important to be playing your best at the end of the season," said Ritz. "And once you get into tournament play you can never tell what's going to happen."