Simmons Softball returns for the 2011 campaign when the team travels to Clermont Fla. to tackle the National Training Center Spring Tournament. The Sharks look to have another strong season after finishing 24-12 overall and 16-8 in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference in 2010, a year that included a 13-game winning streak and fourth place finish in the GNAC Tournament.

"The 2011 squad is one of the strongest teams I've coached at Simmons and I expect great things from them," said Head Coach Anne Hennigan. "We are looking to improve upon our fourth place finish last year and we are putting in the extra work and concentrating on executing plays in order to help us achieve our goal of winning the GNAC Tournament."

Several standout athletes will return to lead Simmons through the spring. Senior captain Courteney Collier (Bolton, Mass.), a First Team All-Conference selection in 2010, will resume her roll as starting pitcher after recording 15 wins and 140 innings of work last season, which included 138 strikeouts and holding opponents to a .205 batting average.

Senior captain Annie Thompson (Pacific Palisades, Calif.), a First Team All-Conference selection in 2010, will resume her roll as starting short stop this season, and will be expected to utilize her offensive prowess after batting .459 and belting 56 hits (third best in the conference) in 2010.

Senior captain Emily Nalband (Litchfield, Conn.), a Third Team All-Conference selection in 2010, will be Collier's battery mate and will be the anchor to the Sharks defensive line-up. Nalband will also be called upon for her offensive contribution as she batted .316 last year, and had an unselfish eight sacrifice bunts.

"The coaching staff is looking to the captains and upperclassman to demonstrate leadership and we have no doubt that the rest of the team will follow their lead," said Hennigan.

Simmons will boast a strong pitching staff of junior Sami Hodgkins (Putney, Vt.), senior Sammi Letizio (Windham, N.H.) and freshman Kate Breslin (Westford, Mass.), in addition to Collier. "All of our pitchers bring something different to the circle," said Hennigan. "The staff complements each other well and we plan on mixing it up on the mound to keep the opposing hitters off balance. Pitchers and catchers have been putting in extra workouts throughout the winter and their strength and endurance will undoubtedly help us through our 40-game season."

Adding depth to this year's roster is a core squad of returners. Senior Steph Murray (Groveland, Mass.), the Sharks' defensive specialist, is "one of the best defenders, if not the best, in the GNAC," according to Hennigan. "Her range and soft hands allow her to make big outs for the defense. Her ability to play any position also allows the team many defensive options."

Sophomore Cailin Pagel (Dorchester, Mass.) will see time at third base. "Pagel's fearlessness, combined with her quick feet and glove makes her an invaluable asset at the hot corner," said Hennigan.

A trio of returners will anchor the outfield: junior Amanda Gould (Fremont, N.H.), sophomore Ari King (Westford, Mass.), and senior Emily Colligan (Leominster, Mass.). Gould has two years of experience under her belt and the team will rely on her leadership in the outfield. King will provide valuable innings in the outfield and Colligan will also see time as DP.

First years Christina Mulcahy (Cambridge, Mass.) and Ellen Girouard (Wrentham, Mass.) round out the infield at first base and "bring quickness and a lot of range to the right side of the infield," said Hennigan. "Mulcahy may also see time as DP as she provides a lot of power from the left side." Newcomer Jill Wasylow (Taunton, Mass.) adds speed and a strong arm in the outfield and adds speed to the Sharks' offense.

The team has added power behind the plate with freshman C/1B Emily Cunningham (Cotuit, Mass.). "Emily has an incredibly strong, accurate arm with a quick release. She will instantly add a great deal of skill to our infield, whether behind the plate or at one of the corners. The combination of her ability to hit for power or play the small game is an instant boost to our offensive line-up," said Hennigan."

Simmons Softball will depart for sunny Florida on Saturday, March 5, for a ten-game campaign before returning to Boston to begin the hunt for GNAC success. "We have been working hard since the fall and we are excited to start our game schedule and see our hard work pay off," sad Hennigan. "Our team knows what they need to do to win and I have great confidence that they will execute and perform when called upon."