DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Feb. 15, 2022) – Today, the Mercy College softball team will travel south to open up their 2022 season for the first time since the COVID shortened season of 2020. Head Coach Mike Fazio and the staff are excited about the prospects for this season and both players and staff are optimistic about this spring.
"The 2021 season was a roller coaster ride that saw us play only what would have been half of a normal season. The team had a real good feeling about their chances to have a bounce back year in 2021. Our defense and hitting appeared to be solid going in, and we felt the 10 games we played together in 2020 would help our younger players and particularly the pitchers, adjust. We anticipated a strong 2021 campaign but COVID again played havoc with our schedule. Since we only played 28 regular season games, what would have been a mid-season hitting slump ended up as quite bats going into the postseason and we feel that had an effect on the outcome for sure, " Fazio said.
This spring the Mavericks return 14 from last year's team which finished fourth in the conference making it back to the ECC tournament for the first time since 2018 and for the fifth time in program history. "We have a core of strong returners, and some talented newcomers but we open the season with a 26-game southern road trip against some very strong competition," commented Fazio. "Our young players got some valuable experience before the shut down in 2020 and we knew that was going help us in 2021. This fall, we worked hard to build on what we did last spring. Hopefully if we can play a full, uninterrupted season, we can put it all together and get back to the postseason. We will have to just wait and see how it unfolds."
Infield
Leading the four returners in the infield is senior captain Ylannah Bowman who was a Second Team All-ECC choice at third base in 2021. Lana, a team leader with a great softball IQ is expected to again start at the hot corner, for her final year as a Maverick. "She, is a strong defensive player, who swung the bat pretty well last season in the middle of the order," Fazio said. She appeared and started in 29 games, with 28 hits, 15 RBI, three home runs, six doubles and 12 runs and finished with a .346 average. She led the team in home runs and tied for the team lead in RBI. He continued, "Lana looked good all fall and again in our workouts so far this preseason, so I feel she could have a career year in her final season as a Maverick." Another All-ECC selection in 2021, Danielle Burgos will return for her COVID year starting at shortstop. "It is unfortunate that "Massie" has only had the opportunity to play in two pandemic shortened seasons here at Mercy, as I think that if all things had been normal she would have put up great career numbers. That is not to say she has performed badly. Quite to the contrary she has performed very well but has not had the number of chances she normally would have in a non COVID season to demonstrate all that she is capable of doing. She is a very strong defender and provides offensive pop in the middle of the lineup." Last year she was named First Team All-ECC and also tabbed to ECC Honor Roll (4/19). She appeared in and started in all 31 games, hit .366 with 14 RBI, 21 runs, 37 hits, four doubles, three triples and eight stolen bases. "We will be anxious to see her production in a full season of softball this spring," continued Fazio.
At first will be two returners. Samantha Franck is expected to start there, and pitcher Alex Karavias should see time there as well when she is not in the circle. "Both Sam and Alex swing the bats well and are strong defensively for us. Last year, Franck was named Second Team All-ECC, and appeared in 21 games making 18 starts, hitting .310 with 14 RBI, five runs, two home runs, three doubles and two stolen bases.
After hitting .267 as a freshman and .310 last spring she worked hard and changed her approach at the plate this fall. That seemed to have paid off for her this fall, as she hit extremely well for us going up against some strong opponents. We expect her to be solid at the plate and should hit from 5 -8 in the order. Alex showed some moments last spring where she hit the ball well as she appeared in 19 games making nine starts, had seven hits, five runs, a home run and four RBI in 35 at bats. She worked hard over the summer and showed some dramatic improvement until an injury sidelined her for the second half of the fall. We anticipate that she could have a breakout year for us once she is back to 100%.
This year, we have some depth in the infield with several freshmen who we expect could contribute as well. Maddie Lula, Victoria Seppala and Jessica Evans should see time in the middle infield and at the hot corner. Maddie and Vic showed some of what they can do this fall and we were very happy with their development. Jess, who played field hockey for Coach Spinazzola in the fall, will give us depth at third and catcher. Freshman Bianca Mesadieu who came to us as an infielder but played exclusively OF this fall, could also see time in the infield as she develops and becomes comfortable with the transition to college ball," Fazio said. "We have a lot of options with a talented group of young players again this year. They have shown us they can swing the bat, have some good speed and can play with heart. They all can play "D" so who gets time on any given day will likely depend on their ability to contribute offensively," Fazio added.
This spring we will have a big change with the departure of All-American Honorable Mention second basemen Hannah Mueller who decided not to use her COVID year of eligibility. "Junior Nicole Smart, who saw some action at second base during the last two COVID shortened seasons, is anticipated to be a key player for us this spring as she could likely be Hannah's replacement. She has worked hard on her defensive skills and did a great job for us when she played second last year," said Fazio. "We have been very happy with her progress there and she brings a positive approach to the field every day," Fazio continued. Last year when Nic was at second our defense was seamless, as she and Hannah both sported a .976 fielding percentage. Nic's one error in 39 chances in an understudy role speaks well for our chances for our defense to again be solid this spring. She has the ability to contribute with the bat, but has only had limited opportunities in the lineup to this point. I am expecting some good things from Nic this spring," concluded Coach. Smart made 18 starts at second base over the last two seasons.
Behind the dish, the Mavericks will again have two strong options this season. Senior Alexis Crawford is again expected to leadoff again in the Maverick lineup. As a junior in what was an abbreviated season, she was named First Team All-ECC, tabbed ECC Player of the Week (4/5), appeared in all 31 games making 30 starts, hit .391 with 43 hits, 23 runs, eight RBI and 22 stolen bases, led the team in average, runs, hits and stolen bases and was second in ECC in stolen bases while setting a new single-season school record for stolen bases. "Fish, has made a huge jump in her ability to lead the team on the field last season and this fall." She has become very comfortable in both the lead off role and behind the plate and is playing with confidence. She was recently named a team captain and we are looking forward to some great things from her this spring," Fazio added. The other starter behind the plate will be junior Sydney Johnston. Last year, Johnston was named First Team All-ECC, ECC Rookie of the Week (4/19) and named to the ECC Honor Roll (3/29). She appeared in 29 games making 28 starts, hit .307 with 23 hits, 15 RBI, 13 runs, six doubles and three stolen bases and tied for team lead in RBI. "Syd has continued to develop as a catcher and has become a team leader on and off the field. Defensively she is solid, and on the offensive side, we anticipate her to be a middle of the order hitter from the left side," Fazio said. She also could see time at first, OF and DH again this year.
Outfield
For 2022, with the graduation of CF Casey Akers and LF Alyssa Guzman, senior Ariana Ricci is the lone returning starter from last year's squad. In 2021, she appeared in 24 games making 23 starts, had four hits, two RBI and scored four runs. When asked about Ricci, Fazio said,"In 2021 she played right field, after starting her career at Mercy as a SS / C. Ari has worked very hard to make the transition to the outfield after we asked her to move to the grass in 2020. To her credit, she has become our most dependable defensive outfielder finishing last year with a .973 field percentage which was a team best at the position. This fall she has put in time on her hitting and we are looking forward to see what she can do with more at bats."
The other returners in the outfield are sophomore Mia Harris and junior Hailey Puglia who both filled utility roles for the Mavericks last spring, playing both OF and IF. With the arrival of four freshmen infielders this spring, Harris most likely will be placed in the role of an outfielder/pitcher and could see time in both spots as she develops offensively. Puglia has done a solid job this fall and could start the season as the everyday left fielder and also see time in CF.
Speaking of CF, newcomer Shannon Sisco started most games there this fall. "Shannon, a lefty slapper with better than average speed, did a good job for us in center this fall," Fazio said. "We are looking for Shannon to fill the role of the two hole hitter left open with the departure of Hannah Mueller," he said. "Those are pretty big shoes to fill, as Hannah, also a slapper was a career .405 hitter. I think Shannon has the ability to step into that role and contribute from day one as we saw that from her at times this fall. Once she is comfortable, she could be a difference maker for us," Fazio continued.
The trio of freshmen, Seppala, Lula and Mesadieu are also options for both infield and the outfield this spring.
Pitching
The Mavericks will return six pitchers from last year's staff with the expectation that they will again provide solid work in the circle. This year the staff will be led by junior Alexi Benson and seniors, Catherine Zucker and Sabrina Gonzalez. I am very confident in the ability of our upperclassmen to give us quality innings this spring and provide the leadership we need in the circle," Fazio said.
"Alexi Benson is strong, has good velocity, movement, and command. She is a very hard worker and her confidence has grown over our two COVID shortened seasons, says Fazio. She did very well for us in the abbreviated 2021 season and I anticipate that she is going to play a major role for us this spring."
"Zucker was confident and consistent in her role last season where she mainly pitched in relief. We intend to switch her into a starting role this year with both Lex and Sabrina and we feel confident that she can make an impact in the circle."
Other pitchers expected to contribute will be junior Angelina Oquendo, and a pair of sophomores, Alex Karavias and Mia Harris. Angie worked hard to improve during this past summer and fall and gave us some strong innings in the fall, and we anticipate she will also be able to fill a role for us this spring perhaps as a starter or at least in a relief role. Karavias, coming off an injury this fall, is also expected to get time in the circle and at first base this spring. "Alex has tremendous potential as a pitcher, and we saw that for a short time in the fall before she was injured. She also swings the bat well and has a good glove at first. She is working hard and is very coachable. We are looking for Alex to develop into a solid pitcher this spring," Fazio continued. Our other sophomore Harris, who broke into our lineup last year as a utility outfielder, made significant progress over the summer and fall and could get some work in the circle, based on what I have seen so far this preseason. She has improved her velocity, spins the ball well, and has improved her consistency. She has also improved as a hitter so we are excited to see it all come together this spring.
The Mavericks are planning to play a full schedule this year for the first time in three years due to COVID. According to Fazio, it is among the toughest in the 11 seasons he has been in Dobbs Ferry with Mercy playing 26 road games most of which will be down south, before we open at home in early April. The season opener will be at Francis Marion University in SC where they will play tough opponents including Tusculum University, Bloomsburg University and FMU, then in early March, they travel to Mount Olive for several against West Liberty and MOU, then travel north to Virginia, to play at Virginia Union, before returning to NY to play at Adelphi.
"Our northern schedule is also going to be a challenge both in and out of conference, Fazio said. Graduation has affected us in the outfield, at second base and in the circle. Nevertheless, I am optimistic about our chances for the spring," Fazio said.
"I am hoping our talented freshmen newcomers', SS/ UT Maddie Lula, SS/ UT Victoria Seppala, 3B/ C Jess Evans, OF/UT Bianca Mesadieu and sophomore transfer OF Shannon Sisco, blend well with our core of 14 returners. Like last year, we will need to rely on our pitching staff again to get us big outs when needed and we will need to play better team defense day in and day out, while creating runs when we have to. I believe we have some talent on this team but they will have to work hard every day to achieve their goals. I expect it will be fun to watch them develop this spring. At this point the team is super excited to open in a warm weather state for the first time since the spring of 2020, "Fazio said.
