Gulls Share Top Spot with Salve Regina as CCC Favorites in Preseason Coaches' Poll

2015 CCC Preseason Coaches' Poll

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) released the 2015 Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll on Friday afternoon and Endicott along with Salve Regina have been tabbed as favorites. Both squads tied with a total of 93 points while the Gulls claimed five first place votes with the Seahawks earning four. The Blue and Green are entering the season as the reigning CCC Champions.

Coming in behind the top spots are Western New England (75), University of New England (66), Curry (63), Roger Williams (55), Nichols (39), Gordon (33), Eastern Nazarene (23) and Wentworth (10). Voting for the preseason poll was conducted by the head softball coaches' in the conference.

The Endicott softball team is coming off another impressive season as the program claimed their 13^th conference championship last season. The Gulls wrapped up 2014 with an impressive overall record of 27-13-1 while going 14-4 in the CCC and advancing to one of two New England Regional finals.

The key expectations of this 2015 squad are no different from years past as head coach Mark Veilleux, who enters his 21^st season at the helm states "Every year our goal is to win the CCC title and continue to get better game by game."  The Gulls have continuously been strong regional contenders since their program debut in 1994. "We always want to be able to take our game to the next level and advance to the Final Eight. We have come very close to a few times and our region is strong and extremely competitive." says Veilleux.

Despite the loss of some key seniors last spring, the Blue and Green will welcome back a roster full of key returners and some heavy hitters. The 2015 roster represents two seniors, four juniors, nine sophomores and seven newcomers who will be led by captains, Jess Linden (Stratford, Conn.), Meg Donegan (Atkinson, N.H.) and Jamie Corda (Higganum, Conn.).

Endicott has the heavy artillery to reach their goals as they bring back a wealth of strength at the plate including the 2014 homerun and RBI leader, junior Sam DiBella (Danvers, Mass.) who claimed All-CCC First Team honors last spring. Working the plate with DiBella will be Corda who was third on the squad last season in RBIs while 2014 All-CCC First Team honorees, junior Emily Hoffman (Malden, Mass.) and sophomore Chrissy Gikas (Danvers, Mass.) are expected to pull strong numbers on the offensive end.

Controlling the circle will be a bit different than in years past, as the Gulls have a strong group of pitchers all whom bring different aspects to the game. "Whoever has the hot hand will get the ball more" says Coach Veilleux as he brings back returners Donegan, junior Courtney Blake and sophomore Leigh Wyman (South Freeport, Maine) while welcoming newcomer Mikaela Mallozzi (Shelton, Conn.).

Working closely with these four pitchers will be in the hands of veteran catchers DiBella and Hoffman who will be trading off behind the plate and at the DP position while freshman Emily Sharpe (Fort Edward, N.Y.) is expected to see some time as well.

The Gulls will have a strong infield which will be led by key returner Gikas while sophomores Lexi Pederson (Chandler, Ariz.), Hannah Graney (Acton, Mass.) and Kate Shields (Seekonk, Mass.) will all vie for time at first base. Taking over the short stop position will be split between sophomore Chanler Hospot (Pittsfield, Mass.) and freshman Kayla Sheldon (Burlington, Mass.) while sophomore Lindsee Allienello (East Providence, R.I.) will take over the third base position with freshman Mikaela Martzolf (Port Saint Lucie, Fla.) also seeing time at third.

The outfield is happy to house veterans Linden who holds strong in the right field with All-CCC Honors during the 2014 season and Corda who owns the left field territory while sophomore Ilyza Holman (Ashland, Mass.) looks to control the centerfield with some newcomers looking to see some time in the outfield as well.

Endicott will head down to Clermont, Florida where they will compete in the Dot Richardson Spring Games and see some strong out of region opponents. These opponents include: #4 Wisconsin-Whitewater, Wisconsin-Stout and #18 Luther while facing regional foes Bowdoin, Trinity, Clarkson, Smith, MCLA, Southern Maine and Western Connecticut.

"We always play a strong schedule in Florida and although we want to win every game I am not concerned about the record as long as we are progressing and getting better along the way" says Veilleux.

Once the Gulls head back home their schedule will house four more strong regional opponents including the reigning national champions, #1 Tufts, Babson, Wellesley, Salem State and Lesley. All of these competitions will prepare the Blue and Green for their conference season ahead as they look to claim the programs 14^th CCC title.

Coach Veilleux will guide his team to battle on Sunday, March 15^th as they face off with Bowdoin at 5:00 p.m. for their season opener followed by Wisconsin-Stout at 7:00 p.m.

The Endicott Sports Information Department will continue to provide livestats and video for all softball home games this season. Please stay connected with the 2015 schedule for those links and the most current information. If you are on the road and cannot keep up with live game updates follow @ECGulls and @EndicottSOFT on twitter for live in-game tweets.