Opening Weekend at the Seahawk Invitational

Saturday	NSU at UNC Wilmington	Noon	Live Stats
	NSU vs. Liberty	2 p.m.	Live Stats
Sunday	NSU vs. UMBC	10 a.m.	Live Stats

NORFOLK, Va. - Falling just short of its first ever MEAC title in 2013, the Norfolk State softball team comes into the 2014 season determined not to let the same fate happen twice in a row. NSU won five straight games in the tournament to advance to the if-necessary game of the championship final last year, but humid conditions and the rigors of having to play five games in 30 hours became too much for the Spartans.

NSU did finish with its best season ever in the Division I era at 31-22 overall, including a 15-3 mark in MEAC play which resulted in a second-place finish in the Northern Division. The Spartans advanced to the championship final at the MEAC tournament for just the second time ever, but the ending left players with a chip on their shoulders heading into the offseason.

And with the core of last season's team back this year – NSU only lost starting shortstop Gipsy Ramirez and key reserve Chelsea Davis – the Spartans know that elusive title could be theirs for the taking. But for that to occur, head coach Heidi Cavallo will need several newcomers to step up right away as NSU battles Hampton and Delaware State for supremacy in the North.

Outfield
The Spartans will once again have a MEAC-caliber outfielder at every spot, with senior Morgan Boyd anchoring the center field position. Boyd, a second-team all-conference performer last year, is finally healthy after being banged up at the end of the 2013 season. Boyd's speed – she was 31-of-31 in stolen base attempts last year – will be a big asset for the Spartans once again at the top of the lineup.

"Morgan is our senior leader in the outfield, and her prowess on the basepaths will be very important to us, especially now that she is 100 percent healthy," said Cavallo. "Her speed combined with our other slappers will allow us to do a lot on the basepaths."

Anchoring right field and another one of those slappers is sophomore Heather Dunning. Dunning had an outstanding MEAC tournament, hitting .517 in all seven games there to finish in the top 10 in the MEAC for the season in both hits (58) and average (.360). A power slapper, Dunning provides a good change of pace to the softer bat of Boyd at the top of the lineup.

"We are really looking forward to Heather building off what she did at the end of last year," Cavallo stated. "She is such a game-changer, a spark plug for us, and when she's getting on base it is a big difference for us. She is one of those players who knows how to step up when it comes to game time."

Also back is junior Haley Ward, last year's MEAC Player of the Year who finished second in the nation in batting at .482 while playing in left field. An all-region selection as well, Ward set numerous team records last year, in addition to tying the NCAA record for consecutive hits, on the way to having the best season by an NSU player in more than 15 years.

"Haley is just a smart and natural athlete out there on the field," Cavallo stated. "She had a great freshman year and then picked it up last year. We want her to do the same her junior year and have another great season."

One of those newcomers who could see time in the outfield is Devon Bitler, who had a strong performance during fall ball. Another left-handed slapper, with a power stroke in between those of Boyd and Dunning, Bitler can also play shortstop or third base.

Also serving as a backup outfielder is sophomore Shekinah Stewart. Currently rehabbing an injury, Stewart made eight starts last year and is one of NSU's better pinch runners because of her speed.

"Devon has been putting in the work to improve her slapping game, because she provides such a great combination with Morgan and Heather," said Cavallo. "Like those other two, Devon can do a lot on the basepaths. We can't wait to see what the future has in store.

"We're excited for the progress Shekinah has made. We are hoping she will get a chance to get on the field this year so we can utilize her quickness."

Infield
Although NSU has first-team all-MEAC experience in the infield with junior Alina Moriarty locked in at second base and Whitney Williams at third, the Spartans will see different faces at both shortstop and first base. Having Moriarty and Williams anchor the infield, though, will help smooth those transitions.

Williams hit .331 last year while earning first-team all-conference honors and brings the team's most powerful bat to the middle of the lineup. Moriarty made a huge jump from her freshman to her sophomore year, leading the league in RBI while also finishing in the top 8 in eight offensive categories. Moriarty can also hit for power, forming a strong 1-2 punch with Williams.

"Ali is our vocal leader out there in the infield, and we saw last year how much her hard work in the offseason can pay off," Cavallo said. "She did exactly that this year as well, so now it is just a matter of her continuing that offensive run she had last season.

"Whitney is getting better and stronger and really understanding how she can use her strength to make our team better. She has showed great maturity and has stepped up as a vocal leader. We want her to start the year off strong and hit the way she knows she can."

Bitler is one of the freshmen expected to make a push right away, both in the outfield and at shortstop. Another newcomer for whom the coaches are looking to make an impact is Mikki Haury, whom Cavallo described as an all-around sound and smart ballplayer. Haury is in the running to replace Ramirez at short.

"We are putting a lot on Mikki as a freshman, but we know she can play, so it's just a matter of her playing the way that she is capable of," said the fourth-year head coach. "We need her to be ready to go, both mentally and physically. We are excited to see what her future holds this season."

Junior college transfer Sommer Di Fulgo can also play shortstop but will probably see more time at catcher.

Freshman Kayla McNair is in a battle with junior Robyn Mitchell to take over first base. McNair adds some pop to the lineup, while Mitchell had several clutch hits in the MEAC Championship last year and earned all-tournament honors.

"Kayla is a very strong freshman who can really drive the ball. We just need her to make some adjustments to her game now that she's out of high school," Cavallo stated.

"Robyn's biggest strength is her hitting, which we saw at the end of last year. She stepped up when we asked her to, so now we need her to keep that mentality and step up again this year and do what she has shown she is capable of."

Either of the two, when they are not starting at first, could see time at designated player along with Di Fulgo when she is not catching. Senior Nikki Jones has proven to be a reliable hitter, especially in a pinch-hit role, and also has a hat in the ring to hit at DP.

"Nikki is one of those players who wants it more than anyone and knows what it takes to be successful," said Cavallo. "She has the ability to be a very strong hitter, very mentally strong at that. She knows it's time to step up, and we believe she will be able to do just that."

Sophomore Megan Dunning, the twin sister of Heather Dunning, joined the team last summer as a walk-on after spending one season in junior college. The coaching staff will call on Dunning to play a variety of roles.

"Megan already has college experience, which will help her tremendously as we are asking her to go wherever she is needed," said Cavallo. "It's a tough position to be in, but she is more than willing to do it."

Pitchers
Senior Jamie Schulle enters her third season anchoring the starting rotation after an all-MEAC performance last year in which she went 21-13 with a 3.11 ERA in 200 innings of work. She proved she is capable of shutting any MEAC team down as one of the best pitchers in the league.

"We are proud of the way she ended last year, and she came out ready to go this year because she wants that ring so bad. She knows this is it for her," Cavallo said. "Our goal for her is to pick up some more wins earlier in the year, and as long as she stays strong she should have a great season."

Junior Liz Riley will also get some starting nods this year and is another player who came into the fall ready to go after the team's disappointing ending to the 2013 season. With her and Schulle going 1-2, NSU will have one of the strongest pitching duos in the conference.

"Liz just wants to be out there on the mound, and she is really ready to form a strong pitching rotation for us," said Cavallo. "This year we are looking for her to have stronger, dominant appearances. She can control her pitches very well, and we are excited at where she is in her development."

Rounding out the pitching staff is senior Stephanie Wheatley. The second-year player out of Delaware Tech will spot start and make relief appearances for the Spartans this year.

"Stephanie knows what is needed from her and has done a great job putting in the work with our other two pitchers," Cavallo continued. "She wants to go all-out, and she is capable of having success when she's confident on the mound and really throws to her frame."

Catcher
Senior Kathy Cortez has owned the starting catching spot for the first three years of her career, hitting .327 last year with 29 RBI. Cortez, though, will share the starting catching role with newcomer Di Fulgo this year. Di Fulgo was recruited by Cavallo out of high school before heading to Louisburg College for a pair of seasons.

"Kathy is one more member of our senior class whom we are expecting to do big things in her final year," said Cavallo. "Like several of our players, she really came on strong at the end of last year. Now we need her to stay at that level and have one last great season for us.

"We have been waiting for Sommer to get here for two years, and she's already had a big impact with our pitchers out in the bullpen. She's been a great addition to our pitcher-catcher dynamic, and she's also stepped up in her hitting. We are ready to see what happens when the season starts."

Also available to catch, and a player who saw time at third base last year too, is sophomore Clara Quinones, a player whom Cavallo described wants to be out on the field more than anyone.

"Clara has been working hard on her hitting, putting in the time to get better both at the plate and behind the plate. She's been improving her behind-the-plate presence, and it's just unreal how much passion she has for the game."

Schedule
For the fifth year in a row, NSU will host (or, as in years past, attempt to host) a pair of tournaments out at the NSU Softball Field. Six different teams, including the Spartans, will take part in the Spartan Clash from Feb. 21-23, while five squads will compete in the Spartan Classic the following weekend Feb. 28-March 2.

The Spartans start the season at the Seahawk Invitational hosted by UNC Wilmington Feb. 14-16 and also play a tournament at Winthrop from March 7-9, the Winthrop/Adidas Invitational.

Before beginning conference play, NSU will host three straight non-conference doubleheaders, beginning with North Carolina A&T at 4 p.m. on March 14. The Spartans also welcome North Carolina Central on March 18 at 4 p.m. and Rider on March 20 at 2 p.m.

Two days later, NSU hosts Coppin State to begin the first MEAC weekend. The Spartans will take on the Eagles on March 22-23. Both Morgan State and Hampton come to Norfolk as well, with the Bears coming down April 12-13 and the Pirates heading across the water May 3-4. NSU also will play two games at home against George Mason on April 2.

Norfolk State makes trips to Howard (March 29-30), UMES (April 5-6) and Delaware State (April 18-19) this year in MEAC play and also plays a twinbill at Longwood on April 22. The MEAC tournament runs May 8-10 in Ormond Beach, Fla.