Softball Featured In Softball Magazine's Top Ten Division II Teams

3/13/2012 3:34:00 PM

BROOKVILLE, N.Y. (March 3, 2012) – The C.W. Post softball team was featured in Softball Magazine as one of the Top Ten teams in Division II that are favored to compete for a national championship in 2012.
 
The Pioneers finished the 2011 season with a 41-16 overall record and advanced to their third World Series in five years.  Overall, they have qualified for the NCAA Tournament the last 10 straight years.
 
Below is the magazine's write-up about the Pioneers.  To read the entire story on Division II softball, click here.
 
8. C.W. Post Pioneers: The Pioneers continued to blaze a trail to the postseason by making their 10th consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2011. Head coach Jamie Apicella's team did not lose a game in either the regional or super regional round to reach the national championships for the third time in five seasons. C.W. Post concluded the campaign with a 41-16 record and ranked ninth in the final NFCA poll.
 
An 11th post-season trip would not be a surprise given the fact that C.W. Post returns its entire starting lineup from a year ago. Leading the way is NFCA First-Team All-American Nicole Hagenah. The sophomore third baseman paced the Pioneers in most offensive categories, including a .452 batting average, 14 home runs and 61 RBI. The lineup is also bolstered with the return of senior Kendall Bright, who topped the team with 15 doubles and ranked second behind Hagenah with a .354 batting average, 12 home runs and 58 RBI. Junior first baseman Kaci Hopkins placed third on the squad with a .330 norm while adding 13 doubles and 21 RBI. Other key players for the Pioneers include outfielders Carly Chamberlain, who posted a .329 batting average last year as a freshman, and senior outfielder Kerry Fisher, who hit .299 with 34 RBI. Sophomore outfielder Jessica Julich, senior catcher Kristen Morcone and senior outfielder Krysta Palazzo also are back as starters. Despite that depth, the Pioneers' fortunes could depend upon their pitching.
 
Senior Hayley Bettles has the most returning experience after pitching only 26.2 innings a year ago. C.W. Post will need contributions for such newcomers as freshman hurlers Megan Salcido, Catherine Havens and Nicole Ehlinger.