BASEBALL

Coach: C.C. Grant (8th year)

Key returnees: Jr. 2B Mark Hanks, So. SS Mark Behne, Sr. 1B/P Dave Wolinski, So. 3B/P Kyle Wood, Sr. C Lukas Laplante, Jr. C/OF Danny Sabourin, Jr. CF Blake Thompson, So. LF Ed Lazowski, Jr. P Andrew Lucak, Jr. P Dylan Wright, So. P Sean Barry, Jr. P Louis Simione.

Top newcomers: Fr. 3B Matt Devlin, Fr. OF Kyle Jackson, Jr. P Colton Cannon, Jr. P Joe Kelly, Fr. P Luke Sniatkowski, Fr. P Eric Vrissis, Fr. P Justin Rebholz.

Outlook: The Bears set a school record for wins (24) and reached the ECAC tournament final a year ago, but were decimated by graduation losses and must replace seven position players and five pitchers. "That group of seniors is tough to replace," Grant said. "They enjoyed a lot of success during their four years here. We are young, but we have a lot of talent. These players are going to get an opportunity to earn a spot in the lineup this season." Wood is the top returning pitcher while Thompson is in line to become CGA's closer. Cannon, a lefty, is expected to join the rotation as a freshman along with Lucak. Wolinski (.345 last year) is the top returning hitter for the Bears (0-2), who begin their annual Florida swing today with a game against Salem State in Fort Myers., while Hanks and Behne each started over 20 games a year ago. "We are going to have a lot of different lineups throughout the season and the guys who perform are going to stay on the field," said Grant. "Our goal, as it is every year, is to qualify for the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference tournament. I'm hoping to go .500 or better on our spring trip in Fort Myers, learn a lot about our team and be ready to be competitive each time we step on the field when we return north and being conference play."

SOFTBALL

Coach: Donna Koczajowski (17th season)

Key returnees: Jr. C Jessie Richardson, So. SS Morgan Kingston, Jr. IF Erin Lisko, So. 3B/1B Hannah Ingerson, Sr. OF Kaitlin Ward, Sr. IF Kelly Grills, Jr. 3B/DH Natalie Spadafora, Jr. P/OF Kelsey Gray, So. P/OF Sarah Sorensen, So. OF Tara Larkin, So. P Kristine Kahl, So. P Sammy Yuknat.

Top newcomers: Fr. OF Sara Cammuso, Fr. C/OF Erin Reynolds, Fr. 3B Cherokee Strickland, Fr. OF Meagen Witham.

Outlook: The Bears return eight starters from a team that finished 22-17 a year ago, the program's fifth straight 20-plus win season, but must replace All-American Holli Bastinck and outfielder Stacia Sarwinski, a four-year starter. Coast Guard, which opens its season on Sunday at the NTC Spring Games in Clermont, Fla., were picked to finish fourth in the preseason NEWMAC poll. The Bears are led by All-New England catcher Richardson and shortstop Kingston, an All-NEWMAC pick as a freshman. Richardson (.415, 24 RBI, 10 doubles), Ingerson (.308, 10 RBI) and Ward (.284, 190 RBI) return to the middle of the lineup while Kingston and Lisko are legitimate stolen base threats on the bases. Kahl (15-9, 2.39 ERA) is the team ace, but Old Lyme's Yuknat provides the Bears with a quality No. 2 starter. Koczajowski also expects immediate help from freshmen Cammuso, Reynolds and Strickland. "Our goal every year is to be able to compete in the NEWMAC and I think a top four finish is a realistic goal for this season," Koczajowski said. "If we're peaking at the right time towards the end of the season, there's no reason to think we can't compete for a conference title."