Rowan College Gloucester Softball coach Steve DePasquale will begin his 27th season with a young, but talented team that has had plenty of time to bond and work on their skills in the past year.
Thanks to the year-long pandemic, DePasquale and assistant coaches Bill Collins and Annie Murphy spent many fall and spring practices helping their players to sharpen their hitting and fielding techniques in preparation for the Spring 2021 season.
While this may be one of the youngest teams DePasquale has ever fielded, don't think the 2021 Roadrunners will be any less competitive than usual due to their youth.
Quite the contrary.
"It is so great to see and feel the energy our ladies have brought in their return to the RCSJ softball field," said DePasquale. "They've come in motivated and working very hard at their skills. Because of this the coaching staff is excited and expecting big things when we return to play."
The Runners open their season this afternoon hosting a doubleheader vs. Mercer County Community College, with the first pitch set for 3 pm. They will take on a challenging 46-game schedule in 2021, that includes games vs. D-II opponents Delaware Tech and Lackawanna on the horizon.
The Roadrunners competed in just four games in 2020 prior to seeing their season shut down abruptly due to the pandemic. In their last full season, DePasquale's Runners finished with a solid 32-15 record in 2019. Looking ahead to the 2021 campaign the Runners are once again expected to be a top contender both in the Garden State Athletic Conference and NJCAA Region XIX races. Certainly, DePasquale – who has 760 career wins and two national championships on his resume – expects the team will go through some early season adjustments due to a demanding schedule as they look to get in a groove.
That's to be expected from a team with 4 sophomores and 11 freshmen.
"We're just getting to know each other in game situations 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."
2021 Season Preview
Coach: Steve DePasquale, 27h season; 760 career wins. Led program to NJCAA Division III National Championships in 2011 and 2012.
Assistant Coaches: Bill Collins and Annie Murphy.
Last full Season: In 2019, DePasquale's club registered a 32-15 overall record; 19-4 in Region XIX competition; 10-2 in Garden State Athletic Conference.
Season Opener: March 9, doubleheader at home vs. Division II Mercer County Community College --3:00 pm start time for opening game; 5:00 pm start time for second game.
Returning players: Macenzie Long, So,, catcher, Williamstown; Olivia Farina, So., centerfield, Washington Twp.; Mackenzie Ponto, So., outfield/pitcher, West Deptford; Kaylee Smallets, So., pitcher, Delsea.
Newcomers: Lacey Abrego, Fr., pitcher, Middle Twp.; Paige Fox, Fr., RF, Middle Twp.; Kamryn Kennedy, Fr., 2B, Highland; Victoria London, Fr., 3B, Middle Twp.; Angelina Picozzi, Fr., catcher, Highland; Emily MacGibeny, Fr., SS, Paul VI; Gabrielle Cirucci, Fr., LF, Williamstown; Sabrina Finneran, Fr., pitcher/IF GCIT; Brooke Cooper, Fr., 1B, Clearview; Dionna Johnson, Fr., 1B/RF; Selena Chila, Fr., pitcher/first base, Paulsboro.
Coach Steve DePasquale on 2021 Roadrunners: "We have a very tough 46-game schedule, but the players have worked hard and are ready for the challenge. There may be some down moments simply due to the level of competition we will see, but overall this should be a lot of fun to watch this team grow and improve as the season progresses."