Morristown, N.J. - The College of Saint Elizabeth's softball team opens its season on Monday in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina as part of the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic.
The Eagles are returning to Myrtle Beach for the second straight season. Last year, CSE went 2-6 in Myrtle Beach with wins over Bay Path College and Penn State Altoona. The Eagles open up by taking on Penn State Altoona at 3:30 pm, followed by Hilbert College at 5:30 pm. CSE will play a total of nine games over five days, including NJCU, Hilbert College, Medaille College, Greensboro College and St. Joseph's College-Long Island.
First year head coach
Steve Eisenstein is looking forward to the trip. "I am excited to get started as we open up in Myrtle Beach next week. It's always tough to play your first game without having the chance to get on a field first. However, as long as we can build on things we take away from each game then we will be prepared when we begin our in-conference schedule."
The Eagles will be looking to their strong first-year class this season, as newcomers
Allie Jenkins,
Samantha Albertson,
Rachael Romer,
Magali Rodriguez,
Marielis Alicea,
Kayla Miessau and
Heather Passaro look to make strong contributions to the team. The Eagles will be returning reigning NEAC South Player of the Year,
Alyssabel Garcia, who finished with a school record eight home runs and 40 RBI's. CSE will also be returning senior
Christina Scolaro, who lead the team in batting and finished second in the NEAC last season with a .424 batting average.
Despite finishing in tenth place in the NEAC preseason poll, Coach Eisenstein expects the team to turn a few heads. "I anticipate we will get some attention this year. The players all have embraced the change in style of the type of game we expect to execute and have been working hard to master it. This group will score runs! With the return of
Alyssabel Garcia's power leading the offense, and the support that is now around her, our lineup will be tough to retire. Our returners feel revitalized. The Freshman and transfers will play important roles in our success, as many as six of them could find themselves in regular starting spots. Our trio of Freshman pitchers will strengthen our defense as those who pitched last year will now be able to concentrate more of their primary positions."
Following the trip to Myrtle Beach, the Eagles are set to host Baruch College on March 15 in its home opener. Following two road out of conference contests, the Eagles return home to open up NEAC play when they host Wilson College and Gallaudet University the first weekend in April. The Eagles will then have nine double-headers over the next three weeks as conference play hits full swing. CSE ends the regular season by hosting Penn State Abington on senior day on April 30.
To follow all the live action in Myrtle Beach, please click
here.
