After posting its highest single season win total in a decade last spring, the Massachusetts Maritime softball team is looking to reach new heights in 2016 under the guidance of fourth year Head Coach Megan Giammalvo, who welcomes back 10 letterwinners and six starters into the fold this season.

Giammalvo, who is entering her ninth overall season of coaching with the program, has built a solid foundation for success during her tenure, and one of the key building blocks in that foundation has been leadership.  Seniors Brittany Driscoll (Spencer, Mass./Holy Name) and Cassie Sanderson (North Dighton, Mass./Dighton-Rehoboth) will look to carry on that tradition in their roles as Massachusetts Maritime’s co-captains this spring, and Giammalvo says that the duo “provides an incredibly positive example both on and off the field.  With such a young team this season, their leadership and work ethic will be something that I rely upon heavily, and I am fully confident they will continue to bring out the best in their teammates and in themselves.”

Here’s a look at how things are shaping up for the 2016 edition of Buccaneer Softball:

INFIELD.  Sophomores Sarah Monteiro (North Falmouth, Mass./Falmouth) and Emily Bacchiocchi (Wareham, Mass./Wareham) return on the right side of the infield after each started 17 games as rookies in  2015.  Monteiro batted .294 with a double, triple and seven RBI at second base, while Bacchiocchi collected 11 hits and drove in four runs at first base.  Sanderson also returns to the lineup after being limited to just five games due to injury last spring, while freshmen Emily Goodwin (Halifax, Mass./Silver Lake) and Rachel Gardner (Bourne, Mass./Sturgis West) look to take over on the left side at shortstop and third base, respectively.

Giammalvo will also look to a quartet of newcomers who will be vying for spots on the infield this season, as freshmen Jill Kondek (Webster, Mass./Bancroft School), Sara Merzon (Rockland, Mass./Cardinal Spellman), Kyle Poucher (Salem, N.H./Salem) and Emily Mahoney (Braintree, Mass./Braintree) are seeking to impact Massachusetts Maritime’s fortunes as rookies.

OUTFIELD.  Driscoll returns to her starting spot in left field after batting .317 with a double and nine RBI last season, while junior Wesley Fehskens (Wareham, Mass./Wareham) lends additional experience in the outfield for the Buccaneers after being limited to just three games in 2015.  Sophomores Haley Delahanty (Holden, Mass./Wachusett Regional) and Olivia Norton (Quincy, Mass./Quincy) also return after combine to play in 16 games (with five starts) last spring for Giammalvo, who also welcomes freshmen Brooke Miles (Lynn, Mass./Essex Aggie) into the outfield mix.

PITCHER.  Sophomore Carli Thomas (Brewster, Mass./Nauset) returns inside the circle for Massachusetts Maritime after notching three victories and striking out 44 in 73 innings of work (16 starts), and junior Cassidy Nice (Carver, Mass./Carver) is also back for the Buccaneers after collecting a win and fanning seven in 19 frames in 2015.  Both Thomas and Nice will also see time in the outfield for Giammalvo, as Thomas batted .317 with a homer, three triples, two doubles and a team-leading 15 RBI at the plate while Nice chipped in with seven hits and five RBI in 18 contests a year ago.

CATCHER.  Sophomore Kaylene Murphy (Randolph, Mass./Ursuline Academy) had a solid first collegiate season behind the plate for the Buccaneers last season, as she batted .303 with a triple and three RBI in 16 starts, while fellow sophomore Mackenzie Barnard (Harwich, Mass./Harwich) will be vying to make an impact behind the dish for Massachusetts Maritime as well this spring.

SCHEDULE.  Giammalvo’s squad will tackle a 32-game schedule in 2016, as the Buccaneers will host Maine-Presque Isle, Daniel Webster, Lyndon State, Wheelock and Pine Manor in non-league action while entertaining Worcester State, MCLA and Westfield State in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference play at Alison Rollins Field.

The first pitch of the 2016 Massachusetts Maritime softball season is set for Thursday, March 17^th when the Buccaneers head into Boston for a St. Patrick’s Day doubleheader at Wentworth that begins at 3:30 p.m. EDT.