The Lasell college women's softball team enters the 2012 season looking to build on their GNAC quarterfinal appearance from last year. The 2011 squad finished the season 11-28 overall and 11-13 in GNAC play. Eleven members of last year's team return, and the experience they gained from playing in ten games that were decided by two runs or less coupled with eight new faces should help the program compete for a return to postseason play.
Senior co-captains Talia DeChiara and Jacqui Saluti will provide production and leadership for this year's team, and junior power threat Candace Hankard will be counted on to drive the Lasers offensive attack. Hankard was in the top 3 on the team in 2011 in almost every offensive category, including batting a team best .337 while driving in 16 runs and knocking 11 extra base hits. Freshmen Denise Archetto and Mary Fontaine are expected to contribute to the offense early and their production will provide depth to the Lasell lineup.
Alison Saluti, a GNAC All-conference Third Team selection a year ago will lead the Lasers pitching staff, after starting 15 games a year ago. Saluti started eight GNAC games last year, picking up five wins against two losses while compiling a 3.60 ERA in Conference play. Sophomore newcomer Cassie Wadden will team up with Saluti to give the Lasers a solid top of their pitching staff that can keep hitters off-balance and allow their teammates to make plays behind them.
With 13 freshmen and sophomores, the 2012 squad is young but Coach DeFillipo feels they can to gel quickly, saying "If we get good leadership from our upperclassmen, stay healthy and see our younger players develop we'll be ok."
Lasell will open their season in Lee County, FL where they will play 10 games in 5 days during their spring break trip. The challenging competition on their southern trip, combined with non-conference match-ups with Brandeis and Lesley will help prepare the team for their GNAC schedule. With 26 conference games looming, the team will look to come together and develop their chemistry over the break, with the hope of returning to the GNAC playoffs again this year.