A senior-oriented 2015 Pitt-Bradford softball team is set to begin its season in Fort Myers, Fla.
Head coach Tina Phillips, entering her 15th season at the helm of the women's program, will have a strong core of experienced veterans who will help guide this team throughout the season.
"We expect every season to make a run for a conference championship, "Phillips said. "This season is no different. A few keys for us this season is we have to stay healthy, some players are going to have to step up in some different roles, and we will need solid defense and timely hitting. This team is a fun group and has a lot of experience and versatility. I am looking forward to see what happens"
The Panthers will rely on their upperclassmen's leadership as they return with six seniors and three juniors this year.
Senior Ang Comilla (Bradford/Bradford) was selected a captain for the 2015 season. In her 2014 campaign, Comilla hit for a .301 batting average that included 21 RBIs and 14 runs scored. She also smacked two home runs and collected five doubles. The Panthers will rely on Comilla's glove this season in the infield since she posted a .980 fielding percentage.
Senior Brianna Stenta (Ridgway/Ridgway) will provide an excellent source of speed to go along with her offensive and defensive capabilities. Stenta was named to the AMCC All-Conference Third Team as an outfielder in her junior season. Stenta hit for a .307 average that included 23 RBIs and 21 runs scored.
Senior Krista Jacobs (Buffalo, N.Y./West Seneca East) will lead the Panthers from the circle this season as she is set to be the No. 1 pitcher on the team. Jacobs appeared from the circle 13 times in the 2014 season and came away with a 6-3 record. Jacobs posted a 4.57 ERA, recorded one save and tallied 15 strikeouts in 45.1 innings pitched.
Senior Amber Fox (Warren/Youngsville) will help jumpstart the offense this season for the Panthers. During her sophomore year, Fox batted for a .381 average that included 40 hits and 31 runs scored. Fox was solid on defense as well, finishing with a .981 fielding percentage.
Senior Courtney Schuler (Smethport/Smethport) will give the Panthers depth from behind the plate and in the infield at first base. Schuler batted for a .250 average during her junior year with 13 hits, eight RBIs and 12 runs scored.
Pitt-Bradford's loaded senior class will look to emerging junior Leann Bell (Lance/West Branch) to provide a spark both in the lineup and on the diamond for the Panthers.
Bell, a 2014 AMCC Second Team All-Conference second basemen, led the team in hitting last season with a batting average of .396. Bell also collected 17 RBIs and 22 runs scored during her sophomore season and finished with a .931 fielding percentage.
The Panthers will rely on returning sophomore Jillian Fleming (Hamburg, N.Y./Hamburg) to continue her success this season after a freshman year when she hit for a .305 batting average in 26 games. Fleming also drove in five runners and had eight runs scored.
Pitt-Bradford looks to make a run at an AMCC title with a strong, experienced team of upperclassman.
"My senior class has brought a lot of success to the program and has been a big part of what we have done these past four seasons," Phillips said. "I really hope they can go out with the title because that is what they have always worked for. They are very special to me as is this team."
