Dec. 4, 2002

After a season of struggle last year, the Red Foxes softball team will look to improve on their 10-35-1 overall record. Having only graduated two starters from last year's squad, and with a solid group of experienced players returning, it should make for an exciting season. Marist has many new faces on the team that will be looked upon to make an immediate impact. According to Head Coach Melissa Tucci, the Red Foxes will be playing their toughest schedule to date in 2003.

INFIELD

For the second straight season, the Red Fox infield is one of the team's strongest assets. Senior captain Kathleen McEvily will lead the Red Foxes in the dirt this year. Rotating between shortstop and third base, McEvily again takes command of the left side with amazing intensity. Batting .259 last season, she will again serve as a solid lead-off hitter this spring. Returning at third base with McEvily is Second Team All-MAAC Selection Nichole Rawson with a quick glove and strong arm. Rawson batted a team high .283 while knocking in 24 runs and hitting seven home runs. There will be a new shortstop this season when Katie Eskin steps in as a freshman. Moving from shortstop to second base this season is sophomore Barb Leasure who has a consistent glove. Last season she batted .207 with five RBI and a .917 fielding percentage. Also seeing time at second is local standout Bryanne Thitchener, who will also play some left field for the Red Foxes during the season. Thitchener had two doubles, knocking in four runs. As a rookie, she finished the season with a .935 fielding percentage. Rounding out the infield will be the experienced glove of junior Rebecca Rakos, who had a .966 fielding percentage, and newcomers Chrystine McHugh and Jasmery Polanco.

OUTFIELD

Returning to lead the outfield will be sophomore tri-captain Allison Bartley. With her speed and communication, the outfield will play a much stronger role defensively for Marist. In 2002, Bartley started in all 46 games for the Red Foxes. She batted a .230 with three doubles, knocking in six runs, and committed only one error all season. Also returning in right is veteran junior Meaghan Gosh who drove in four runs and had a fielding percentage of .935. Danielle Blake will be making the transition into the outfield to add speed and solid defense. Last season Blake had four doubles and batted in five runs. New faces in the outfield will be freshmen Tara Delmour and Lindsay Liquori. Senior, Nichole Rawson and Danielle Blake will also be looked upon to make an impact now that both have a year of experience under their belt. Rawson pitched to a 2.48 ERA, while winning five games for the Red Foxes. Blake had a 2.94 ERA, winning four games and pitching one shutout. Adding depth to the rotation is junior transfer Liz Mayer who comes to Marist from Daytona Beach Community College.

CATCHERS

Returning behind the plate for the Red Foxes is senior Jasmery Polanco and Bridget Hurlman will each bring power to the offense.

SCHEDULE

The Red Foxes will have their work cut out for them this spring when they play one of their toughest schedules to date. Marist begins their season on the road when they travel to Yale on March 1st. The team will then head back home to Poughkeepsie to compete in the Marist Tournament where they will face teams from Fordham, Colgate, and Hartford on March 8th. The Red Foxes then take on Hofstra on March 15th. On March 21-23rd the Red Foxes will head down to Virginia to play in the Virginia Tech Tournament. They will see action against Lehigh, Youngstown State, St. Bonaventure, Virginia Tech, and for the second time, Hartford. Marist opens MAAC play against Manhattan on March 29th when they travel to Riverdale, NY. The Red Foxes close out the season on May 2nd and 3rd when they travel to Buffalo, NY to play MAAC rivals Canisius and Niagara, respectively. The 2003 MAAC Championships will be held on May 9-10th, with the top four teams in the conference competing.