BROCKPORT, N.Y. - The College at Brockport softball team has its sights set a State University of New York Athletic Conference Championship in the 2016 season and will rely on their strong pitching and offense to get there.

Last season the Golden Eagles were electric on the mound, leading the conference in shutouts, also tying for first in the conference in home runs allowed.  This year the staff will be anchored by seniors Korey Kibling and Jaime Berger who finished with nine wins a piece, and earned run averages of 1.65 and 3.07 respectively

Both pitchers ranked in the top ten in the SUNYAC in opposing batting averages and strikeouts.  Berger was second in each category with an opposing batting average of .220 and 123 strikeouts.  Kibling tabbed 53 strikeouts with an opposing batting average of .266. They will be joined this season by junior Dana Fink, sophomore Kelsi Nau and freshman Cheyenne Vivlamore Zion.

On defense head coach John Dumaw is expecting key contributions from his incoming class. 

"Freshman newcomers Morgan Flamholtz will see action at third base, catcher and possibly designated hitter."  Dumaw said. "Taylor Parlet is battling for time at second base and Cheyenne Zion and Felicia Urbanczyk will see action in the outfield.  Transfers Kathleen Laskey and Mikelle Deck also are fighting for a spot in the outfield."

With so much turnover from last season on offense, Dumaw is looking for two players in particular, sophomore Lindsay Wachna and senior Tabitha McBride, to help carry the offensive load.  Supporting them will be senior infielders Paige Monachino, Delaney Buckley, and outfielders Amanda Yuhas and Brianna Harris.

Harris had a strong junior season, finishing second on the team with a .357 batting average and .513 slugging percentage.  Harris also chipped in 21 runs and 24 runs batted in.  Buckley will also be an offensive leader after posting a .481 slugging percentage last season off of five doubles and three home runs.

Rounding out the roster are right handed sophomores Stephanie Scala, Karleigh Eaton, Shannon Allen, Shelby Perry and Elizabeth Kline.  They will be joined by freshmen Taylor Parlet and Morgan Flamholtz, all of whom are looking to provide a spark for the offense when given the opportunity.

Despite losing some key pieces from last year's team, expectations for this year are the same. 

"We lost a lot of home run punch from last season and will have to find a way to manufacture runs this year." Dumaw said. "If we can keep Lindsey Wachna healthy and get solid play from Tabby McBride our power statistics should help our offense."

Dumaw is expecting his team to not only make the SUNYAC tournament this season, but also bring home a championship.  In order for that to happen they are going to have to lean on the pitching staff.

"We will go as far as our pitchers take us." Dumaw said. "If they pitch well and our offense produces like they are capable of doing then we can match or surpass last year's SUNYAC Tournament finish."

The Golden Eagles will open their season on March 11 at the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic in Fort Myers, Fla.  They will return to New York on March 30 and their home opener will be April 9 against SUNYAC rival Geneseo.

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