While there is still snow on the ground for now, pitchers and catchers across Pace have been reporting to practice in wake of the upcoming season.
In 2011-2012, the Setters finished with a record of 28-20 overall and 15-15 in the Northeast-10. Pace finished on the outside of the playoff picture and aim to get back to the postseason in 2013.
One strong suit that the Setters have to build on is their definite home field advantage in Briarcliff Manor. Pace finished with a record of 14-6 in 20 games at Briarcliff a year ago. In contrast, the Setters went 14-14 away from the friendly confides of their home diamond.
If the Setters want to make the postseason this year they will need significant contributions from their six upperclassmen on the roster. With the roster shrinking from 41 athletes to just 24 this season, consistency from those who played a year ago will set the tone for future seasons.
Although Pace lost team hits leader Sabrina Gonzalez to the dreaded real world the Setters return sophomore criminal justice major Natalie Gellos and sophomore business management major Jeane Drury.
As a freshman a year ago, Gellos was second on the team with 47 hits throughout the year and had a batting average of .351. Drury was third on the team in batting average at .333 and also finished third on the team in hits with 45.
Offensively, the Setters can both rack up hits and hit some out of the park. Returning to the team is sophomore business management major Hana Wright who lead Pace in home runs as a freshman last year with 10. As a team the Setters totaled 42 home runs in 48 games last year, so expect the power numbers to stay up.
Pitching could be the wildcard that dictates the Setters season. Pace only has three pitchers listed on the 2013 roster. Sophomore communications major Caitlin McCann pitched 106 innings by herself a year ago and all three pitchers listed combined to pitch 231 and two-thirds innings last season.
Even with a heavy workload, McCann went on to win 11 games and struck out 41 batters last season. In order for the Setters to take the next step they need to have big seasons from both senior psychology major Chelsea Shea and senior biology major Kelly Fisher.
Last season Fisher and Shea combined for just eight wins while losing 11 games. Still it was Shea who lead the Setters in strikeouts last season with 49 and had an earned run average of 2.97. Fisher only gave up seven home runs a year ago and allowed just 44 hits last season.
The Setters will open their regular season with a double header on the road against the Chowan University in North Carolina on March 1.