NEWARK, N.J. – Myrtle Beach in a week sounds very good to a young Rutgers University-Newark softball team that has been stuck inside The Golden Dome Athletic Center for its entire preseason.
 
Eighth-year head coach Patty Clarke has 10 newcomers on her Scarlet Raider squad which is slated to play 10-games in five days at the Snowbird Softball Tournament at Grand Park in South Carolina.  Rutgers-Newark plays Old Westbury in a doubleheader on March 15 to kick off its season.
 
A chilly February followed by a massive early March snow storm has not cooled Clarke's enthusiasm about her overhauled roster which returns five starters from last season's 12-26 unit.
 
"We have tremendous leadership this year and a revamped strength program that every player has taken advantage of," Clarke states.  "Combine this with a lot of newcomers who are hungry to win and a fire that has rejuvenated our returners. We are excited to get started."
 
All-NJAC second team designated player Toniann Donde, who will see more time at first base, is the only senior on the roster.  She hit a crisp .336 with 17 RBIs and 14 extra-base hits while stealing four bases in just five tries.  A two-time All-CUNYAC third baseman at Baruch College before transferring to Rutgers-Newark last year, Donde also led the Raiders in hits with 42 and runs scored with 25.  She has amassed 128 career hits at Baruch and Rutgers-Newark.
 
Hard-hitting sophomore Anna Carlson is back after splitting time at third base and designated player with Donde and producing a team-high 23 RBIs.  The right-hander hit .321 with a team-high three home runs among her 15 extra-base hits.  She will see time at third base.
 
First baseman Liane Drastal, catcher Gabby Spinella and shortstop Tiara Santi were each four-year letterwinners who will leave the biggest gaps that newcomers will need to fill.

Junior Vannessa Romero, a two-year defensive stalwart at second base, will move to shortstop in place of Santi.  She possesses the range and arm to make the move.
 
The lone returning outfielder Kelsey Lucas provides Clarke with some flexibility.  Lucas started as a true freshman at second base and she also can cover ground in the outfield.  She stole three bases last season while hitting .269.

"We have some exciting freshman that will be immediate impact players for us," Clarke said.  "They have played on high level travel ball teams so the competitive fire is already there"

Expected to jump right into the fray for the Raiders will be freshman Sam Held who brings catching skills from Paramus Catholic High School.  Freshmen Nikki Sammartino and Kayla Gallo figure to battle for infield play while Elizabeth Marflak and Maria Rayfield are rookies looking for time in the outfield.

"I consider pitching to be one of our strengths" Clarke added.  "We are deeper than in years past and again stronger from a great off season strength program. This pre-season has allowed the work to be put in, and I believe they will be ready to compete."

In the circle, junior Jess Cannon returns after posting a team-leading era of 2.90.  The right-hander logged a team-high 82 innings with eight starting assignments and 16 relief appearances.  Cannon registered a solid 37-9 strikeout-to-walk ratio.  She will be the only veteran pitcher returning.

Freshmen Kelly Yusko and Morgan Walizer joined Cannon in the fray for pitching duties.
 
Following the trip to South Carolina, the Raiders will play a doubleheader at Swarthmore on March 21 before hosting Brooklyn College in a twinbill on Alumni Field on March 24 to kick off the 7-date home slate.

Nine New Jersey Athletic Conference doubleheaders are the backbone of the 38-game schedule.  Rutgers University-Camden visits Alumni Field on March 28 to start league play.