Worcester, MA --- After missing the MASCAC playoffs in each of the past three seasons, this year's Worcester State Softball team will contend for the conference crown. With several additions to the pitching staff along with key returners coming back to the starting lineup, the Lancers should be one of the final four teams standing at the end of the regular season.

"With (our) returning players and our newcomers (to this year's squad), we hope to rebuild to get to the MASCAC playoffs one inning at a time," said first-year head coach Jennifer Kapenas.

After taking a year off and transferring from Division II St. Anslem, sophomore lefthander Michaella Mahoney will make an impact to this year's team after she posted a 2.77 ERA with a staff-best 93.2 innings in 2007. Mahoney also helped anchor Shewsbury's pitching staff for the Colonials in their run to the Central Mass Division I State Championship title in 2006.

Junior Catherine Costopoulos returns to the rotation after she notched team-highs in appearances (12) and complete games (5). Freshmen teammates Marcy Rumrill and Katherine Figella will also make contributions to the pitching staff this season.

Returning to the lineup are senior's Ashley Nye (C/1B) and Veronica Clark (C/SS) along with junior classmates Ashley Loomer (2B) and Katherine Kelly (UTIL). Nye, an All-MASCAC selection last year, batted a squad-best .312 average with 10 RBIs while Kelly had a sensational sophomore season slugging a team-high .375 (.306 batting average) with six doubles. Loomer scored 21 runs batting from the lead-off spot while Clark, an All-MASCAC performer in 2006-07, drove in 13 RBIs.

Sophomore Karen Feeley (OF) was also a bright spot for the Lancers after she notched a team-best 15 RBIs with five stolen bases. Junior teammates Kara Sztuka and Maura Crossman will also vie for time in the infield for WSC to round out the returning players.

Worcester State also boast a strong recruiting class which includes Ashley Howe (OF/C), Alisha LaConte (IF), Lauren Besozzi (OF), Megan Alarie (UTIL), Amanda Lees (IF), Stephanie Mullen (OF) and sophomore transfer (from Westfield State) Kaitlin Laflash (IF).

The Lancers will play eight games in a four-day span in Fort Myers, Florida on their annual spring trip before facing #23 Rhode Island College on March 24 to start out their spring schedule. WSC will also open up their MASCAC slate with a home contest double-header against Westfield State at noon on April 4.