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ALBANY - The College of Saint Rose plans to finish in the top four of the Northeast-10 Conference Southwest Division and earn a trip to the postseason.
 
The Golden Knights, which have steadily increased their conference winning percentage over the past four seasons, were in NE10 playoff positioning much of last spring. With six freshmen joining an experienced group of returnees, Saint Rose (11-24/9-11 NE10) looks to play in the NE10 Tournament for the first time since 2008.

"Our goal this season is to compete for an NE10 Championship," said Saint Rose head coach Abby Arceneaux. "Each year we find ourselves knocking on the door, but we are hoping with our seasoned returning core and the addition of a strong freshman class that this is the year we break through."
 
Senior right-hander Dana Nicoletti leads the group of returning Golden Knights. The second-team All-NE10 utility player batted .385, the fifth-highest average in the NE10, and led Saint Rose in numerous offensive categories, including runs scored (18), hits (37) and on-base percentage (45.0%). Nicoletti appeared in 20 games in the circle, going 6-12 with two saves. She completed 15 of her 18 starts and struck out 57 batters in 107.2 innings.
 
"Dana will once again be a force offensively in the conference," said Arceneaux. "She led our team last year in the circle and at the plate, and will be our catalyst at the top of our lineup."
 
Senior infielder Taylor Solomon, one of the co-captains, will be counted on to drive in runs this spring.  
 
"Taylor has been a mainstay at second base during her first three seasons and we will need that experience to help with the new additions in the infield," said Arceneaux. "She has been doing a great job leading thus far and we will look for her to provide consistency in our lineup."
 
Senior outfielder Katie Shevlin, a co-captain, and senior catcher Sydney Cimini also return. Cimini, second on the Golden Knights with a .390 on-base percentage, threw out 19.2% of would-be base stealers last spring.
 
"Katie has improved each of her 3 years here at Saint Rose," said Arceneaux. "This year she expects a break-out performance at the plate as well as providing above-average defense in left field. Sydney was our mainstay behind the dish last year, and will continue to carry a heavy workload. With two freshmen pitchers, I am very impressed with how well she is working with each of them to develop and give them confidence to help us succeed this year."
 
Arceneaux brought in six freshmen: catcher Liz D'Agostino, right-hander/infielder Thalia Santiago, infielders Ryane Brush  and Savanna Liverio , right-hander Emily Kurtzner  and outfielder Alissa Folts, in 2018.
 
"Our freshmen group is one we are very excited to see on the field. They will be expected to contribute right away in key positions. We have two freshmen pitchers, Emily and Thalia, which will appear in the circle, while the four others could all very well earn a starting role."
 
Saint Rose, picked to place sixth in the NE10 Southwest Division in the preseason coaches poll, opens its season on Friday, March 2 with its first of 10 non-conference games at THE Spring Games in Clermont, Fla..  NE10 play is scheduled to begin on Saturday, March 24 when Franklin Pierce visits Cathy Haker Field, located at the Plumeri Sports Complex, for a doubleheader.

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