Fairfax, Va. - The George Mason softball team looks to continue to build a strong program and the expectations and excitement are at an all-time high for this upcoming season.  Returning to the field are almost all of the position players from last year and they will be accompanied by a large and very talented freshman class. 

The season starts on February 18 when the team travels to compete in the USC Upstate Tournament with hopes of getting some much needed experience playing on the road before conference games start.  "We are excited that we are going to take a road trip early", said head coach Joe Verbanic.  "I think one of the things that is going to help us this year that we didn't do last year is to get on the road, learn to play away from home, and experience some of the difficulties of the road to help set us up for the conference season." 

With the combination of hosting many tournaments and playing out-of-conference programs early in the season, Mason should be able to get a number of different looks from several types of teams.

"We have a nice combination of opponents that are going to stretch us and challenge us," Verbanic said.  "We have opponents that will allow us to get our feet on the ground and hopefully we will have some success.  I really like the schedule we put together this year and I am looking forward to it leading us into conference play." 

The team returns almost all of its position players from last season.  "We have key people in the middle of the diamond which is the heart of this game", said Verbanic. 

The Patriots return starting catcher, Emily Lafferty.  The middle infield returns with the combination of Tori Dudley and Rachael Davies who "both played extremely well for us defensively and are also two of our key offensive factors" according to Verbanic.  Center fielder Alyssa See returns as a junior and the only senior, Stephanie Strother, returns in left field.  Verbanic calls Strother the "anchor" and the "stabilizing force" of the team.  Reagan Doiron, Megan Blank, and Samantha Barney are the other experienced players who will be returning and expecting to see plenty of time on the field. 

 "We do have a lot of returners this year," Verbanic said.  "I think that position player wise and defensive wise that's going to allow us to be very solid. The question mark, because our number one pitcher graduated, is that someone has to step up and we are young in the pitching circle.  As far as a number one type pitcher, someone needs to step forward and take that role.  That will be interesting."  He believes that pitcher could be Miranda Cranford who will be entering her junior year. 

"We think she can really jump in to the number one role and anchor this team and this staff.  She has got that kind of talent.  It is just a new experience for her but we really believe she can do that". 

Amanda Buffington and Katie Rynex are two other returners that Coach Verbanic believes will help ease the loss of their number one pitcher from last year. 

With the return of so many position players, the 2011 team has a lot of talent and potential waiting on the bench with the new freshman class.   Lauren McColgan and Kaila Conlon are two newcomers who will see significant time in the middle of the infield when the opportunities arise.  Alexys Bryan and Tiffany Webb could both see time at catcher and other utility positions.  Holly Klodin can play the middle infield and will provide some depth in the outfield.  Kelsey Byrd is a freshman who could make a difference in the pitching staff this season.  She is expected to do big things and because of the depth and experience in pitching some of the pressure will be taken off of her coming in.  Another freshman that will help the pitching staff this season is Stephanie Maher, who coach Verbanic thinks has really shown a lot of promise.  "She has been a very pleasant surprise", said the coach. 

"I am very excited about our prospects, but potential is just potential until you go out and realize it," Verbanic said.  "I think we have tremendous potential and it's just a matter of us going out and getting it done on the field.  I think we are very capable of that.  I am very excited about this team and about this group of players and young ladies as to what they can accomplish."

The depth the team has will be a huge factor for the season.  "I think that it has been a fun process building this program to where it is right now", Verbanic said.  "It has been a slow process but I think for the first time in the six years that I have been here we have a group of talented young players, top to bottom, that gives us options that in the past we haven't had."  "For the first time we have got people who can step in if something happens and fill that role, play at a high level and keep us moving forward.  That hasn't always been the case.  Depth is probably one of the most difficult things to build into a program." 

"One of the things that we always talk about as coaches is shortstops, catchers, middle infielders, and pitchers; those are always the most talented kids growing up.  When they are little that's where the talented kids go.  They play those positions.  We are looking at it in the reality of having a bunch of kids in our program who were all pitchers, catchers, shortstops, and middle infielders.  So when you do that you got a really talented player moving to another position and that raises the whole level of play for your team. That is starting to fall into place for us.  We are starting to get that kind of talent at every position on the field.  That's exciting because it does raise the level of your play." 

The combination of returning players, talented freshmen and solid depth that has not been seen in recent years has this year's team filled with high expectations.  Verbanic thinks that the team has a real shot if they finish in the top four and qualify for the conference tournament. 

"Our expectations are always, first and foremost, to get in to the top four," Verbanic said.  "That's our main goal every year.  That's a challenge for us.  With where the program sits compared to the rest of the conference, that's a goal of high expectations.  We want to be able to get into that conference tournament which then gives us a chance to extend our season.  If you get into that conference tournament then you got a shot.  Anything can happen in a short tournament.  If we are playing like I think we are capable of and can put together the kind of season I think we are capable of having, then we will get into that tournament and have a shot to win it all."