DELHI, N.Y. (February 27, 2020) – Head coach Meagan Hillard and the SUNY Delhi softball team are ready to begin their 2020 season with the highest of hopes. This marks the team's second season under Coach Hillard after finishing with an 11-15 record in 2019. They open up their season today, meeting Northern Vermont Lyndon for a noon doubleheader at the Adirondack Sports Complex in Queensbury, NY. The Broncos look to hit their stride this season, capped with a spot in the ACAA Tournament.
"I'm excited to see what this year's squad can do on the field," stated Coach Hillard. "After a month of practice we are excited to finally play and I believe we have talent on both sides of the ball that will help us be competitive in each contest we have this season. I have high expectations for this year's team and as we 'Trust the Process', our slogan for the season, I believe we can do great things!"
Senior outfielder Sierra Keesler returns to the Broncos after earning USCAA All-American Second Team and All-ACAA First Team honors in 2019. She led the team last season in numerous batting categories, including a .411 batting average (37-for-90), finishing as one of two Broncos with at least a .400 average. She also topped the Broncos with a .722 slug percentage, five home runs and 38 RBIs. The Hancock, NY native tied a team best with three triples, while hitting seven doubles. In center field, Keesler racked up a .939 fielding percentage with 30 putouts.
Four other All-ACAA selections return for Delhi, including First Team selection and infielder Mackenzie Sparacino and Second Team honorees Natasha Picozzi at third base, Molly Greene at pitcher and outfield, and Samantha Mendelsohn at catcher. Picozzi also was an ACAA All-Tournament selection.
The Broncos head down to Fort Myers, Fla. for a four-day, eight-game trip. They begin playing Albion and Drew on March 5, followed by Clark and Martin Luther March 6, Kenyon and Finlandia March 7, and Rochester Institute of Technology and Anna Maria March 8. They come back to New York State hosting Houghton on March 21, then a road meeting at Wells March 23. Delhi then hosts SUNY Canton March 28 and Alfred State March 30 to wrap up March.
Coach Hillard's Broncos begin April heading to Cazenovia April 2, followed by a home meeting with Northern Vermont Johnson April 4. They then embark on a spring break trip, starting with a two-day series at Penn State Brandywine April 6 and April 7. Delhi ventures up to Maine to take on Thomas April 9, followed by a home matchup with Morrisville State April 16. They are on the road for their next four dates, beginning with Penn State Schuylkill April 20, SUNY Cobleskill April 22, Pitt Bradford April 25 and Elmira April 26. Their regular-season finale features at home with Penn State Hazleton April 28.
The ACAA Tournament is set to begin Friday, May 1 at Mount Mary College in Milwaukee, Wisc. The tournament will follow a double-elimination format. Four games will be played Friday. The losers of the first two games will play the third game on day one, with the loser of that game eliminated. The winners of the first two games will play the fourth game, with all three remaining teams moving to day two Saturday. Game five's matchup features the winner of game three and the loser of game four, with the victor squaring off against game four's winner for game six. A seventh and decisive game will be played if both finalists finish with just one loss overall in the tournament.
