2017 Softball Season Preview

2017 PRESEASON VIDEO

BEVERLY, Mass. – The Endicott softball team begins the 2017 campaign on Sunday, March 12 against North Park at 8:00 a.m. in the season opener during Spring Break in Florida as the Gulls will play 10 games in five days. Here's a look at the upcoming season.

RETURNING CAST (ROSTER): The Endicott softball team returns a core of power hitters in All-CCC Third Team outfielder Julia McNeill (Smithtown, N.Y.), who paced the squad in hits (42), total bases (60), and RBIs (25) last season. All-CCC First Team second baseman Chrissy Gikas (Danvers, Mass.) and McNeill will captain the squad as the senior class of McNeill, Gikas, Lindsee Allienello (East Providence, R.I.) and Lexi Pederson (Chandler, Ariz.) aim to help Mark Veilleux chase one last conference title to add to his already impressive resume (13 overall/10 CCC). Coach Veilleux is also approaching his 600th career win (598) in his 23rd and final season as head coach of this storied program. All-CCC First Team designated hitter Hayley Arduini (Southington, Conn.) and All-CCC Second Team utility player Margaret Martzolf (Port St. Lucie, Fla.) are back and look to build upon success from early on in their respective careers, while the team also brings in a handful of newcomers expected to make an impact right away.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR (SCHEDULE):

GAMES TO WATCH

March 12 – vs. Amherst, 10:30 AM (at Leesburg, Fla.)

NOTE: Amherst finished the 2016 season ranked No. 5 in the NCAA New England Regional rankings.

March 13  – vs. Keene St., 6:00 PM (at Leesburg, Fla.)

NOTE: The Owls finished the 2016 season ranked No. 7 in the NCAA New England Regional rankings.

March 25 – Curry vs. Endicott, 12:00/2:00 PM

NOTE: First games back from Florida, home opener

April 1 – Western New England vs. Endicott, 12:00/2:00 PM

NOTE: The Golden Bears were tabbed as the conference favorite in the CCC Preseason Coaches Poll.

April 4 – Babson vs. Endicott, 3/5 PM

NOTE: The Beavers finished the 2016 season ranked No. 9 in the NCAA New England Regional rankings.

April 9 – Salve Regina vs. Endicott, 12:00/2:00 PM, Senior Day!

NOTE: Salve Regina won the CCC Tournament last season.

April 26 – Endicott at Tufts, 3:00/6:00 PM

NOTE: The Jumbos have won three of the past four NCAA national championships and made the NCAA Tournament in 2016 and finished the season ranked No. 4 in the NCAA New England Regional rankings.

BOLD = Home games

PRESEASON PLAUDITS (CCC POLL): The Gulls have been picked to finish second overall in the 2017 Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) preseason coaches' poll, as voted upon by the league's ten head coaches.

NEED TO KNOW: The top eight teams in the conference standings will qualify for the CCC Softball Tournament, which begins with the play-in phase on Friday, April 28. The remaining six teams after the play-in phase will then compete in a double-elimination tournament to determine the CCC Tournament Champion. The championship round will take place on Saturday, March 6. The CCC Tournament Champion will earn the league's automatic qualifier into the NCAA Division III Softball Championship.  

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