Rowan College Gloucester Softball coach Steve DePasquale will begin his 26th season with one of the youngest teams he has ever fielded – but don't think the 2020 Roadrunners will be any less competitive than usual due to their youth.
Quite the contrary.
The Roadrunners, who finished with a solid 32-15 record in 2019, will once again be a top contender both in the Garden State Athletic Conference and NJCAA Region XIX races. Certainly, noted Coach DePasquale – who has 760 career wins and two national championships on his resume – the team will go through some early season adjustments due to a demanding schedule that includes a tough Florida spring road trip.
That's to be expected from a team with 5 sophomores and 13 freshmen.
"We're just getting to know each other and seeing what kind of skills we'll bring to the different positions," said DePasquale. "But we'll get past all of that. This is a talented group, and they will establish their own identity."
The Runners open the 2020 season on the road with a doubleheader at Delaware Tech. See the season preview below.
2020 Season Preview
Coach: Steve DePasquale, 26th season; 760 career wins. Led program to NJCAA Division III National Championships in 2011 and 2012.
Assistant Coaches: Bill Collins and Annie Murphy.
Last Season: 32-15 overall record; 19-4 in Region XIX competition; 10-2 in Garden State Athletic Conference.
Season Opener: At Delaware Tech, Sunday, February 23; noon first game; 2:00 pm second game.
Returning players: Kelsee Murphy, CF, GCIT; Macenzie Long, C, Williamstown; Olivia Farina, OF, Washington Twp.; Mackenzie Freas, 3B/2B/1B, Pennsville; Mackenzie Ponto, OF/P, West Deptford.
Newcomers: Lacey Abrego, P, Middle Twp.; Kylie Abriola, 2B, Williamstown; Julianna Capasso, 1B, Mainland; Brooke Cooper, 1B, Clearview; Sabrina Finneran, SS/P/2B, GCIT; Grace Fox, OF, Middle Twp.; Paige Fox, OF, Middle Twp.; Jill Frisone, OF, Williamstown; Molly Kurz, 3B, Williamstown; Victoria London, SS/3B, Middle Twp.; Angelina Picozzi, C, Highland; Kaylee Smallets, P, Delsea; Leigh Swietanksi, SS/2B, West Deptford.
Coach Steve DePasquale on 2020 Roadrunners: "We have a lot of young talent and it will be interesting to see how they make the transition from the high school level to college. Once this group settles into their new roles, we are looking for everyone to be very competitive."