Feb. 14, 2013

PHILADELPHIA - Despite the loss of four starters, including three All-Conference performers, the Saint Joseph's softball team has high expectations entering the 2013 season. Picked to finish fourth in the Atlantic 10, the Hawks return five starters, 12 letterwinners in all, and add nine freshmen for the most talented lineup in head coach Terri Adams' seven seasons.

Competing in four tournaments to start the season, including this weekend's Pirate Clash as Eastern Carolina, the Hawks will face strong competition in both nonconference and Atlantic 10 play as they look to make the A-10 tournament for the sixth straight year.

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Starting in the outfield, Saint Joseph's returns all three starters, led by two-time All-Conference selection Dana Parks. Playing every game in center last year, Parks has established herself as one of the premier defenders, boasting a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage the past two years, while ranking among the conference leaders in runs scored and batting average. The senior lead-off hitter enters her final season fourth all-time in career batting average (.367) and 13th all-time in career hits (166).

Playing in 50 games with 49 starts in left, sophomore Melissa Ruf gave the Hawks speed in the field and on the base paths. Finishing fourth on the team in runs (20) and tied for third in stolen bases (six), she will look to help solidify the bottom-half of the SJU batting order.

Winning the starting job in right field last season, junior Maria Ficca is coming off her best season to date at Hawk Hill. Starting 49 games a season ago, she finished third on the team in RBIs (18) and had a career-high 28 hits. In the field, Ficca brings a strong arm and range to the other corner outfield spot as she posted a .971 fielding percentage in 2012.

A key reserve as a rookie, Traneya White played in 36 games in 2012 and along with freshman Christina Gonzalez, bring speed and athleticism to the outfield.

In the infield, the Hawks bring back three starters in seniors Monica Aguilar and Rochelle Christman and sophomore Nicole Palase. Solidifying the left side, Aguilar will likely return to third, while Palase will start at shortstop. Christman, who started at third last year for the injured Aguilar, will rotate to catcher, a position she started her first two seasons with SJU.

Suffering a season-ending leg injury in just the second game of the season last year, Aguilar returns to the lineup fully healthy in 2013. One of the top offensive players in the A-10, Aguilar has posted two seasons with over .370 batting average and 50 hits. A two-time All-Conference honoree, she ranked among the conference's defensive leaders in assists and putouts as a junior.

Garnering A-10 All-Rookie honors last year, Palase proved to be one of the Hawks most dependable players. Batting .279 with 41 hits, 16 RBIs and 16 runs scored, she started 48 games at short and led all Hawks in assists with 134.

Proving to be the most versatile player on the team, Christman returns behind the plate after a career-best season at third as a junior. A strong defensive player that helped SJU to the A-10 title game her sophomore season, she is coming off a career-high .254 batting average and is SJU's returning leader in home runs (four) and slugging percentage (.410).

Likely to start at first to begin the season, senior Deanna Stinner is coming off 25 starts in 2012 and appeared in 31 games overall. Earning spot starts throughout the infield, as well as at designated player, junior Morgan Earling and senior Annabelle Cunningham will both look to have larger roles for the Hawks this season.

With second base open, six freshmen - Sarah Yoos, Jackie Gheraldi, Brandi Harkness, Hannah Dionne, Cyndi Wilson and Kerrie Kortmann - will compete for the opportunity to start on opening day.

Establishing herself as one of the top pitchers in the conference last year, senior Taryn Ashway will lead the Hawks' pitching corps in 2013. Setting new career highs in wins (10), complete games (16) and innings (147.1) as a junior, she led SJU with a career-high 115 strikeouts. Already tied for the program record for saves (seven), Ashway provides the Hawks with leadership in the circle and the team's success above everything else.

Coming off sensational high school careers, freshmen Anna Lauterbach and Liz Mendez will help solidify the back end of the Hawks' rotation that lost two to graduation.

Proving to be one of the top teams in the Atlantic 10 the past few seasons, Saint Joseph's is ready to make that final hurdle to A-10 champions in 2013.