By Derek Turner
The goal of every sports team at the beginning of the season is to make the playoffs, and the girls of the CCSU softball team are no different.
“This season is definitely going to make some heads turn,” said senior pitcher Liz Montemurro. “Last year, we started a new trend of winning, and this season is not going to be comparable to last. This team has a lot of potential to make the conference tournament.”
The Blue Devils are picked sixth in the preseason NEC coaches’ poll, whereas last season they were chosen last and finished the season with a 19-31 record, 7-11 in NEC play.
This team prides itself on improving every inning of every game, working toward the goal of top four in the conference and a tournament berth. Last season’s conference Most Improved Player, Sara Budrick, graduated, but CCSU has two returning All-Conference players in catcher Katherine Knowles and outfielder Rebecca Mussatti, who look to lead a well balanced offensive attack.
“We have five, six, maybe seven hitters in our lineup with the potential to bat .300 or above,” said Head Coach Jeff Franquet.
Knowles, the team’s unofficial captain, is highly regarded by her teammates and coaches as the leader of the team. She is not just an emotional leader, but performs on the field, where she led the Blue Devils in batting average with .378 and slugging percentage at .650 during the 2010 season. Her 18 doubles were good for second in the league, where she also did not make an error in NEC competition.
Mussatti has the skills to be in contention for player of the year in the NEC said Franquet. The team leader in runs last season with 44 will lead off and set the table for the big bats behind her.
A difficult out of conference schedule to begin the season should prepare the team for a run to the conference tournament.
February 24-27, the Blue Devils opened their season against teams ranked first, 13 and 28 in the country.
“I want our team to have the exposure to the best teams in the country to see what it’s all about, and if we would win the conference tournament, then we would have to play those teams eventually in the regionals,” said Franquet.
Only two teams in CCSU softball history have finished with a winning record, the 1989 and 1990 teams, but this team has other ideas. The athletes are making strides and hope to change the culture in New Britain.
“I foresee a lot of wins, and this year being the real cornerstone of Central softball, the foundation is this year, I only see good things from here on out,” said Montemurro.
CCSU has quickly gained a level of respect from its peers. With a win/loss goal of 30-25, this would put the Blue Devils in its first ever NEC tournament and break the school record for wins in a season.
“If we reach both of those, it will be a successful season,” said Franquet.
The Blue Devils don’t start home play until March 17, when the team takes on Yale at 2 p.m. Until then CCSU will continue its road stretch, playing against the Dutch National Team and in the South Florida Tournament.