By Kirsten Hatton Staff writer
The members of the Susquehanna softball team enter the 2017 season with a sour taste left in their mouths. For the past two seasons, the River Hawks have advanced to the final game of the Landmark Conference Championship series only to lose to rival Moravian.
They are determined, however, to make 2017 a season to remember. Their quest for the championship begins Feb. 19 as they take on Virginia Wesleyan at noon in Norfolk, Virginia. Last season, Virginia Wesleyan finished with a record of 38-7, and made it to the Regional round of the NCAA tournament where they lost to Salisbury.
“Being that we didn’t reach our ultimate goal last year and we were close I think gives us a lot of hope,” Head Coach Brad Posner said. “We just have the commitment and drive to reach that goal.”
Last year marked the team’s eighth consecutive Landmark Conference Championship appearance. In those eight years, Susquehanna has won one championship, which came in 2013.
In 2016, the team finished with a record of 25-15 and a 9-3 mark in the Landmark Conference.
Although the River Hawks lost 2016 senior outfielders Claire Hanratty and Amanda Neveroski, they are returning many key players. Hanratty batted .316 on the season with 30 hits. Neveroski, a 2016 All-Region player, batted .432 and scored 32 runs.
“That’s the cool thing about this team,” Posner added, “We don’t just have one or two players that are good, we have a bunch of players that will be able to contribute.”
Sophomore infielder Jackie Gore will return. Gore, who in 2016 led the conference with seven home runs, had a slugging percentage of .611 last year.
Senior infielder Lauren Creamer batted .364 and had 20 RBIs. Creamer was named as a second team all-conference player in 2016.
Junior infielders Heather Pearson and Emilie Boman also return. Pearson had 35 hits in 116 at bats. Boman and junior catcher Kelly Miller were named as this year’s captains. Boman batted .385 and Miller had 30 hits last year.
In the outfield, Leigh Ann Greenwald batted .298 and had 58 catches in her sophomore season last year. Danielle Vollono batted .333 with 21 runs scored as a junior.
On the mound, second team all-conference pitcher Jamie Fesinstine returns for her senior season. She had an ERA of 2.62 and had a record of 15-6. Alexa Gonzalez had an ERA of 3.65 and a record of 8-6 in her freshman year.
“This team is like a family and that is what sets us apart. We all work together to achieve a common goal,” Gonzalez said.
This offseason the River Hawks have been working hard on and off the field.
They have team study halls and meetings with their academic advisors in addition to weight room sessions with trainer Joe Schoenleber.
The team also welcomes eight freshmen to their roster, a major addition considering the team only graduated two seniors last year.
“When I look back on the season, I not only want to be able to say that we won, but I also want to say we had the right team dynamic,” Posner said.
One thing is for sure: the River Hawks hope this season will leave a sweet taste in their mouths.
