STOCKTON, Calif. – The Pacific softball team begins the 2023 season on the road, taking on four opponents in the NorCal Kickoff starting on Friday, Feb. 10, and Saturday, Feb. 11, at UC Davis and Sacramento State.
A season-opening doubleheader begins the campaign as Pacific faces off against Seattle U at 9:30 a.m. and UC Davis at 2:30 p.m. The team will then travel to take on Utah Valley at noon and Sacramento State at 2:30 p.m. the following day.
"As a team, we feel better in all phases," Head Coach Brian Kolze said. "We have more depth than last season, and it gives us more options if people begin to struggle."
Carly Lucchetti and Rian Dirmeyer return as the Tigers' primary offensive weapons and enter the new season after being named to the 2023 WCC Preseason Team.
Lucchetti was essential to the team's success last season, tallying 15 multi-hit games and recording a team-high .353 batting average. Her 53 hits during the campaign were the most by a single player since the 2018 season, which landed her in a tie for fifth in the conference, the highest ranking of her career in that category.
Dirmeyer returns as the team's best power hitter, leading the Tigers and ranking third in the league with nine home runs last season. She also topped the team with 25 RBI, a .595 slugging percentage, and a .378 on-base percentage.
The pitching staff from a season ago remains intact, as the Tigers bring back four of the five pitchers that saw significant time in the circle. Amiyah Aponte recorded a 5-8 record in the circle and led the Tigers with a 3.47 earned-run average. In 27 appearances and 13 starts, Aponte struck out a career-high 38 batters and pitched four complete games.
Two transfer pitchers look to boost the Tigers defensively, with Scarlett Lloyd and Desiree Smith entering their first season with the team. In two seasons competing at Wagner, Lloyd produced both in the circle and at the plate as she registered a 3.39 earned-run average while also hitting at a .255 clip in 157 at-bats.
Smith, a transfer from Long Island, comes to the program after registering a 4.73 earned-run average and a 7-5 record in one season with the Sharks.
Five true freshmen take the field for the first time as Jordan Hayes, Allie Capello, Rory Schuck, Asia Lee, and Aly Waltermeyer look to use their talents to improve the team.
"Allie [Capello] could do some special things for us this season," Kolze said on which underclassmen will have the most impact. "We're using her as a hybrid player, and once we get her settled in defensively, it will help her overall game."
For more information about the 2023 season and future events, follow Pacific softball on social media and download the Pacific Athletics mobile app.
