Rowan College Gloucester Softball coach Steve DePasquale will begin his 28th season with a veteran and talented team that has had plenty of time to bond and work on their skills in the past year.
The Runners, coming off a solid showing in the 2021 NJCAA Division III National Championship Tournament, return a veteran lineup that hopes to repeat last season's success -- and perhaps move forward a few steps. They enter the 2022 campaign as the No. 5 team in the NJCAA D III Pre-Season National Rankings.
"We're a very confident team with a lot of players who know how to win," said DePasquale, who has collected 786 career wins. "We also have a group of newcomers who will step in and be major contributors."
On the field, nearly every spot in the lineup is filled with veteran players, led by infield returnees Victoria London (3B), Kamryn Kennedy (2B), Emily MacGibeny (shortstop) and Brooke Cooper (1B). Other key starters and returnees include outfielders Paige Fox and Gabrielle Cirucci along with catcher Angelina Picozzi and pitcher/infielder Selena Chila. DePasquale will also rely on several newcomers and transfers to round out the lineup.
The Runners will also begin the season with two newcomers to the starting pitching rotation, sophomore Janiece Robles -- a transfer from Neumann University -- and Kelliann Hammond, who are expected to be top-flight hurlers once the campaign gets underway.
"We're confident our pitching will be one of our strengths once they we get a few games under our belts," said DePasquale. "And our pitchers will always have a tremendous supporting cast behind them on the field."
The Runners open their season Sunday afternoon with a road doubleheader at Delaware Technical Community College. followed by the home opener vs. D-II Mercer County Community College on Tuesday, March 8. They will take on a challenging 56-game schedule loaded with top D II and D III opponents from around the country, including an 11-game Florida road trip in March.
See the Roadrunner 2022 season preview below.
2022 Season Preview
Coach: Steve DePasquale, 28th season; 786 career wins. Led program to Division III National Championships in 2011 and 2012.
Assistant Coaches: Bill Collins and Annie Murphy.
Last Season: In 2021, DePasquale's club registered a 26-11 overall record; 15-1 in Garden State Athletic Conference.2-2 overall in NJCAA D-III National Championship Tournament.
Season Opener: Sunday, March 6, doubleheader at Delaware Technical Community College. First pitch set for 12 noon.
Returning players: Paige Fox, So., RF, Middle Twp.; Kamryn Kennedy, So., 2B, Highland; Victoria London, So., 3B, Middle Twp.; Angelina Picozzi, So., catcher, Highland; Emily MacGibeny, So., SS, Paul VI; Gabrielle Cirucci, So., LF, Williamstown; Brooke Cooper, So., 1B, Clearview; Selena Chila, So., pitcher/first base, Paulsboro; Dionna Johnson, So., 1B, Deptford.
Newcomers: Morgan Fitzpatrick, So., C, Washington Twp.; Flynn Blessing, Fr., CF, Highland Regional; Janiece Robles, So., P, Cardinal Spellman, Bronx, NY/Neumann University; Kelliann Hammond, Fr., P, Washington Twp.; Ella DiPietro, Fr., 2B, Southern Regional; Julia Petroski, So., IF, Timber Creek; Brianna Cahall, Fr., C, Deptford.
Coach Steve DePasquale on his 2022 Roadrunners: "We have a very tough 56-game schedule, but the players have worked hard and are ready for the challenge. There are no easy teams on our schedule, and it should be a lot of fun to watch this team grow and improve as the season progresses."