OSWEGO, N.Y. – Coming off a 16-23 overall record in 2012 and the Lakers' first post-season appearance since 2008, head coach Casey Price is hoping that some new faces can continue to keep the Oswego State softball team moving in the right direction. 
 
“We have depth, a lot of depth,” Price said. “Last year, I had a much smaller roster, and this year I have seven players that I brought in.”
 
She has shown a lot of confidence in these new players, pointing out that the squad is now two-deep in almost every spot.
 
“I have some players that will jump in right away, while some others will have to work at some things, but everyone will be seeing playing time,” Price said. “But it is also nice having some players to bring along for the future.”
 
Price was adamant about her core group, especially her group of seniors. She said her team is very motivated and excited to get this season underway and that everyone is “ready to go.”
 
“The program has come a long way in the last two years, so this group feels like they have something to prove.”
 
Senior captains Sarah Thayer (Winthrop, N.Y.) and Sue Schoff (Little Falls, N.Y.), and junior captain Dee Apps (Camillus, N.Y.) all agreed this team is ready to make more positive strides. They stressed they didn't feel pressure to push their team because the team is already motivated. They are also looking forward to their upcoming trip to Florida.
 
Thayer said, “This is a good chance to showcase what we have and that, unlike the last season or two, we don't want to be a warm-up game for Cortland for other conference squads.” 
 
The captains all agreed just getting to the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) playoffs wouldn't be good enough. “We have to make it further than we did the year before,” Schoff said. Apps also pointed out that being SUNYAC champions is something they think can be accomplished.
 
“One pitch at a time,” Thayer said. ”As a team, we have to treat each pitch as a new opportunity to make something great happen.”
 
Attack. This is one of the ways Dee Apps would like to describe this upcoming season. “We have to go out and attack this year,” Apps said. “We have the team and the talent to really surprise people.”    
 
Oswego State returns its top three batting averages from last season, including junior Sammie Schroeter (Schenectady, N.Y.), who finished last season batting .362, and senior Sue Schoff (Little Falls, N.Y.), who batted .352. Schoff also led the team in slugging percentage, on-base percentage, homeruns, RBI and doubles. Senior Brooke Radley (Pulaski, N.Y.) finished up her season batting .313.
 
The Lakers also will be returning their starting second and third basemen in junior Katie Bredin (Oneonta, N.Y.), an All-SUNYAC selection in 2011, and junior Dee Apps (Camillus N.Y.). These two combined for 62 hits and 35 runs scored last season.
 
Other returning players include junior Laura Kahn (Cohocton, N.Y.), senior Nicole Ouellette (Castleton, N.Y.) and sophomore Justine Abramowski (Levittown, N.Y.). All three have started a majority of their games played last season. Sophomore Maureen Lenehan (Syracuse, N.Y.) started nine of her 21 games played last season in the outfield.
 
Utility player junior Katie Dobkowski (Liverpool, N.Y.) is a transfer from Onondaga Community College, where she played the last two seasons. “I chose to transfer to Oswego State because I liked the school and it had a good public justice program and it's not too far from home,” Dobkowski said. “I also knew that the softball program has come a long way the past few years.”
 
Other newcomers include Jessie Terrano (Oneonta, N.Y.), Alexandra McKay (Fairport, N.Y.), Jacquie Porrcea (Lancaster, N.Y.) and Marietta Silliman (Smithtown, N.Y.), who was named to the 2012 National Fastpitch Coaches Association High School East Region First Team. A duo of freshmen pitchers, Alexandria Connelly (Endicott, N.Y.) and Alexis Nasca (Hanburg, N.Y.), will compete for time in the circle, while Tori Trovato (Fulton, N.Y.) will also be competing for playing time as a catcher.
 
Coach Price describes this upcoming season as a process. “We're really not talking about wins and losses, but more about what we need to do to get better and go through the process of being a great team,” Price said. “What does it take to become that championship team? If we do everything we need to be doing on the field and off, things will take care of themselves.”
 
2013 Roster
2013 Schedule
2012 Statistics