Seton Hill Softball
 The 2012 version of the Seton Hill University Softball team returns an experienced nucleus of position players but will have to rely on freshmen in the pitchers circle. The team will need their young arms to mature quickly to survive the tough WVIAC schedule. Last season the Griffins were 8th in the WVIAC with a conference record of 10-10 and an 18-23 overall record. The team suffered back to back heartbreaking losses in the WVIAC Tournament. The Griffins were first beaten 5-4 by Alderson Broaddus and then were eliminated with a 1-0 loss to Charleston. Samantha Hurst will take over the Griffin program this season. Last season, Hurst was an assistant coach on the squad.
This year the Griffins return their top three hitters from the 2011 squad and return 6 players who started at least 20 games last season. The Griffin infield returns two players who started all 41 games for the Griffins in second baseman Stefanie Wiegand and Liz Piekut who will make the move from third base to shortstop this season. Wiegand hit .208 last season with 3 homers and drove in 15. Piekut, who earned All WVIAC honors last season hit .281 with 8 doubles, 2 triples, 5 homers and 21 RBI. Freshmen Amanda Arnold (Philipsburg-Osceola HS) and Taylor Marchozzi (North Penn HS) will control the corners of the Griffin infield this season with Arnold at first base and Marchozzi at third base. All WVIAC selection Brandi Piccolino will see some time at first base as well as the DP position. Piccolino led the Griffins in hitting last season with a .303 average. She also added 9 doubles, 3 homers and 15 RBI. Freshmen Taylor Swatsworth (Central Cambria HS) and Alex Alicea (Hanover HS) will look to push the starters in the infield and give the Griffins the depth needed at the infield positions.
Senior Lisa Kaczynski will make the move from the Griffin infield to outfield this season and be the leader of the outfield patrolling center field. Kaczynski hit .278 with 7 doubles and 15 RBI last season. Two freshmen are expected to flank Kaczynski in the outfield in Kelsey Harris (Williamsport HS) and Danielle Treaster (Indiana Valley HS). Returners Felicia Domasky and Beth Anne Swartzwelder along with Alicia are also expected to see time in the Griffin outfield.
After sitting out last season after transferring to Seton Hill, junior Anna Libby will take over behind the plate for the Griffins. Libby’s job will be to tutor and help a young Griffin pitching staff grow throughout the season with her experience behind the dish. Lauren Sauerwein (Mount Alvernia HS), Marchozzi and Piccolino may also see some time behind the plate for the Griffins.
The pitching staff will be the key to the Griffins success this season as they will rely on all freshmen arms in the circle. If the staff is able to get adjusted to the college game quickly, the team will be one in the hunt for a WVIAC title. The Griffins will rely on Christine Henderson (Ligonier Valley HS), Emily Lemin (North HS) and Treaster to carry the load in the circle.
The Griffins are set to play a 50 game schedule, which includes conference series against WVIAC powers WV Wesleyan and Alderson Broaddus. The Griffins will travel to Kissimmee, Florida and Salem, Virginia to play non-conference games against powerhouse schools including PSAC foes Lock Haven, Gannon, Kutztown, Shippensburg and Edinboro. The Griffins will open up play on March 5th when they travel to Florida for a Spring Break and will start conference play on March 24th as they host WVIAC champion West Virginia Wesleyan. | 
