With the season opener approaching against Methodist, the Old Westbury softball team has been making steady progress in preparation for the 2010 season. The Panthers, winners of a program record 22 games last season, have been hard at work gearing up for another successful season. Like many teams in the northeast, winter weather has limited Old Westbury's ability to work outdoor. Several major snow storms have forced Old Westbury to utilize the indoor confines of the Clark Athletic Center.
Even though the weather has not allowed them onto the field to work as much on specific game situations as much as fourth year head coach Mary Jo Fazio has hoped, the players are making the most of the current situation. Much of the practice work has focused on developing strong fundamentals and good habits.

Fazio, in her fourth season at the helm, will oversee a lineup that welcomes nine newcomers to the team while four returnees will anchor the Panther lineup.

PITCHING
Among the returnees who will help usher in the new era of Old Westbury softball, none stands out more than junior pitcher Deborah Ciccarelli. Ciccarelli, the staff ace, was a second-team All-Skyline Conference selection last year and is coming off a solid year as evident by her honor. The right-hander won 15 games (3rd in conference) and posted an impressive 1.98 ERA, third lowest in the conference. She also fanned 119 batters (2nd in conference) in 169.1 innings (conference leader), while holding the opposition to a measly .228 batting average (3rd in conference. Known to be a fierce competitor, Ciccarelli made 27 appearances (conference leader), including 26 starts (conference leader) and recorded 25 complete games. She also posted four shutouts and one combined shutout.

She will be joined by freshman southpaw Alyssa Clancy. Clancy arrives on campus as a two time All-League and All-Division stud left-handed pitcher from Westhampton Beach High School. She played five years of varsity softball and was captain for the past two. Clancy will bring some much needed depth in the circle and is a versatile player who will also see time in the outfield.

INFIELD
Returning for Old Westbury at the catcher spot is Samantha Siegler. Siegler, a sophomore, started all 36 games behind the plate last season. Her quick release, aggressiveness behind the dish and her stroke are three traits Fazio admires in the returning catcher. She scored 16 runs and registered 25 hits, including four doubles, one triple and 13 RBI. She recorded 179 putouts and 36 assists with a .947 fielding percentage and led the conference by throwing out 11 base runners.
Serina Booth will look to set the table in the Panthers' lineup. Projected to be the team's leadoff hitter, Booth brings speed and energy to the top of the order and second base. Booth made 35 starts as a freshman at second base and will be an important cog in the Panther lineup. She flashed her speed on the base path, leading the Panthers with 11 stolen bags and finished with a .288 average, 30 hits, 25 runs scored and 11 runs batted in.

A trio of newcomers will fill out the remaining infield positions and will need to make an immediate impact.

At first base, Old Westbury welcomes freshman Jessica Spero. Spero is a nice addition at first and will swings a lefty bat and should be a mainstay in the Panther lineup for years to come. Freshman Nicole Petrucci will occupy shortstop. Petrucci is a strong all around player and has the hitting skills, athleticism and has great defensive instincts. Junior Lauren Isaac will see action at third base and will fill the void left by All-Skyline Conference First Teamer, Angela Adamkiewicz. Isaac's is capable of being a leader and will bring a solid bat to the lineup.

OUTFIELD
Old Westbury features one senior on the roster in outfielder Sherrida Maxwell. Maxwell's experience and determination are two of the qualities which Fazio most values in her lone senior. Maxwell, who played extensively in the outfield last year, should occupy the right spot. She started in all 34 games she appeared in and scored 11 runs and stole four bases.

Clancy will defend center field when she in not in the circle and junior Nicole Mannino will be positioned in left field. Junior Tanaya Vinson, sophomore Kristina Giordano and freshman, Jurelis Torres and Mary Wright add depth and will all push for playing time in the outfield.

All together, the foundation that Fazio hopes to build on in 2010 will position the Panthers for a run to the postseason now and in years to come.

SCHEDULE
As has been a staple of Old Westbury softball, the Panthers will play a challenging non-conference slate before beginning Skyline Conference play. The schedule opens at Methodist (Mar. 6) and NC Wesleyan (Mar. 7). Old Westbury's home slate will feature 20 games at Jackie Robinson Athletic Complex, where the team was 16-9 in 2009. The Panthers kick-off will features their home schedule against Brooklyn (Mar. 13), Baruch ((Mar. 21) and Lehman (Mar. 25) along with Skyline Conference games against NYU-Poly (Mar. 28), Purchase (Apr. 10) and Farmingdale State (Apr. 18). Old Westbury travels to Mount Saint Vincent for the Skyline Conference opener on March 27.