DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Feb. 14, 2018) – The Mercy College softball team opens up their 2018 season on Friday, February 16th in Myrtle Beach looking to build off their historic 2017 season.
Head Coach Mike Fazio and the Mavericks won a school-record 33 games in 2017 and won the program's first-ever ECC Championship. Mercy earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history and won their first-ever NCAA Tournament game over New Haven.
The Mavericks return the core of that team and have added eight newcomers and Fazio is optimistic that Mercy can build upon their success from last season. The Mavericks enter the season ranked in a tie for first in the ECC Preseason Poll, which is the highest ranking in school history.
"This preseason we have been working hard with many new faces as we look to replace our senior graduates and several transfers. I expect them to be solid in all aspects of the game, pitching, defense and hitting as we work to build upon our success from last year," stated Fazio.
Infield
The infield looks to be a strength for the Mavericks as seniors Skania Lemus and Cassidy Wootten return for their senior seasons. Lemus batted .404 with seven home runs and 33 RBI in 49 games last season. The third baseman also stole five bases and finished with 63 hits, eight doubles and six triples. Lemus was named NFCA First Team All-East Region and was First Team All-ECC.
Wootten looks to start at shortstop and is coming off a season in which she was First Team All-ECC and D2CCA Second Team All-East Region. The senior started 45 games last season and ranked second on the team with a .409 average and eight home runs. Wootten led the team with 34 RBI, 14 doubles and a .709 slugging percentage.
Fazio will look to sophomore Breanna Wheeler to start at second base. Wheeler appeared in 29 games last season with 11 runs scored and six starts. Freshman Hannah Mueller will begin the season as the starter at first base. The freshman is a solid fielder with a strong softball IQ who can play anywhere on the field according to Fazio.
The catching will be split between senior captain Baylee McCormick and sophomore Destini Bullock. McCormick made 24 starts last season and hit .279 with eight RBI. Bullock is coming off a strong freshman season in which she was named First Team All-ECC and D2CCA Second Team All-East Region. The sophomore made 41 starts last season hitting .347 with five home runs and 18 RBI.
Sophomore Erica Handegard is also expected to see time in the infield and junior Kaylee Stevens will see time at first base when not pitching. Freshman Casey Akers is working behind the plate and in the outfield and could see action at either position. Freshman Conlyn Zogzas is coming off a shoulder injury and the coaching staff is still waiting to see whether she can play a field position. The freshman may get time at designated player. Freshman Bailee Nunes will add depth behind the plate for the Mavericks.
Outfield
The outfield will be led by three-time All-ECC First Team selection, NFCA First Team All-East Region recipient and last year's ECC Co-Player of the Year senior captain Morgan Lloyd who batted a team and ECC best .436 with a school-record 68 hits. The ECC Preseason Co-Player of the Year was second on the team with 13 doubles and had 29 RBI as a junior. Lloyd will look to improve upon those numbers in her final season as a Maverick.
Looking to start in left field for the Mavericks is Mackenzie Dunlop, a junior transfer, who joins the team from West Virginia State University. She will provide some speed in the field and on the base paths as Mercy looks to improve their outfield defense in 2018.
Center field will be manned by junior Mikayla Newham who transfers in from Yavapai Community College. The junior is a strong defender with speed in the outfield. Offensively, Newham had a great fall season according to Fazio. The outfielder knows the strike zone and has a great softball IQ says Fazio.
Also looking to see time in the outfield are sophomore Jessica Lombardi and juniors Emma Gilaga and Marisa Miano.
Pitchers
Senior captain and outfielder Allie Pellizzaro returns for the Mavericks and will make the transition to the circle this season. The senior tossed 3 2/3 innings last season and also batted .280 with 21 RBI and 32 runs scored last year. Sophomore Alexis Carmichael should also contribute in the circle after posting a 4-1 record with a 3.44 ERA last season. Stevens rounds out the returners in the circle after going 9-3 with a 2.78 ERA in 17 appearances last season. The junior also contributed at the dish, batting .268 with ten RBI and five runs scored in 56 at bats. Fazio will look to the trio to help replace graduated senior Jackie Kielty, and transfers McKaily Cusumano and Kendall Meeks, who all were key contributors to their success last season.
Leading the newcomers on the pitching staff is junior Yazzy Jameson who transfers in from Southwestern Community College. The junior is a very strong athlete and is off to a good start this spring. According to Fazio, she can play any position and the coaching staff is very optimistic about her ability to be a significant contributor in the circle, with her bat and in the field.
Also looking to contribute and see significant innings in the circle is junior Raina Gorman who transferred in from Florida Southwestern State. Coach Fazio says her athleticism is a plus both in the circle and as a potential infielder.
