Softball Team Aiming to Have a Blast

As the weather starts to slowly turn and thaw from a long cold winter, the tracks, fields and diamonds at and around Basilone Field at  have awakened to a fledgling springs sports season. In this preview, we look at the softball team.

OVERVIEW

At the same time athletic trainer David Kennedy was explaining how the softball team had more pop at the plate this year, senior Briana Jordan hammered home his point, literally. She hit a home run during the Panthers scrimmage on Saturday that cleared the fence in left field. "She hit one the other day that went even further," said head coach Sandy Baranowski. She said the team's strength will be its experience, with seven starters returning from last year's team.

LAST SEASON'S RESULTS

The team finished the year right around .500.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON

Briana Jordan, Third Base (Senior)—Panthers will want defense and run-producing at bats from her.

Brianna Arends, Catcher (Junior)—First team all-Somerset County in 2010. Solid behind and at the plate.

Alicia Gonnella, Pitcher (Senior)—Will be counted on to provide quality innings from the mound.

Katie Fanning, Second Base (Senior)—Along with the other seniors, should provide leadership. She likely will also help keep teammates loose.

Jordan Stephenson, Shortstop (Sophomore)—Was a second team all-county selection as a freshman in 2010.

THEY WILL MISS

Caroline Dziak, third team all county selection, is now a freshman at Scranton University.

Michelle Persante is now a freshman at West Virginia University.

COACH'S TAKE

"Everybody's always in the right spot. Their base running is phenomenal. I have very high expectations."—Baranowski

THEY SAID IT

"This is my fourteenth year, and I would say this is the most intense team we've had."—Baranowski