2019 Season Preview

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – The Boston College softball team begins its 2019 season in Austin, Texas as the team will be competing in the Texas Classic held at the University of Texas from Feb. 8 –10.

In 2018, the team went 30-23 with an ACC record of 13-10, which gave the Eagles the fourth seed in the ACC tournament. Ultimately, fifth seeded Notre Dame eliminated Boston College in the quarterfinals of the ACC tournament. This marked the team's fourth 30-win season in the last five years, all under head coach Ashley Obrest.

Last year's team was heavily powered by seniors Jessica Dreswick, Chloe Sharabba, and Annie Murphy. With these losses, the team will have a new identity heading into 2019.

"Its going to be such a different look, just based off of the seniors from last year and how much time they spent on the field," said Obrest.

Looking ahead to this season's roster, the team is built around a returning core of four seniors, two juniors, and four sophomores. Also joining the Eagles this season will be a class of nine first-year players, who will look to contribute right away.

"We knew what we were losing at the end of last year," said Obrest. "And by bringing this class in, we are trying to make it as seamless as possible."

Although the team has a young nucleus, there is plenty of experience to compliment the freshmen talent.

Senior's Carly Severini and Lexi DiEmmanuele are the lone returners who saw action in all 53 games last season for the Eagles. Severini batted .230 in 2018, driving in 20 runs on 35 hits. DiEmmanuele stole 27 bases for the Eagles a year ago, and is six stolen bags away from setting a new program record for most in a career.

Emme Martinez returns after a breakout rookie campaign, where she batted .299 driving in 24 runs in 39 games. Martinez was named to the All ACC First-Team, and All Rookie-Team.

Senior catcher/first baseman Allyson Moore saw action in 48 games for the Eagles in 2018, while junior infielder Olivia Markopoulos saw action in 42 contests, playing most of her games at second base.

Having lost former pitcher Dreswick to graduation, the Eagles will look to the arms of senior Kendra Friedt and sophomore CC Cook to lead a young staff that brings in three first-year pitchers: Susannah Anderson, Kristin Giery, and Camryn Dolby.

"It's a completely new (pitching) staff," said Obrest. "I'm not big in saying we have a clear number one or number two. I could see a lot of splitting games between pitchers. That's going to give teams a different look. Each pitcher has different stuff."

The 2019 non-conference schedule features big name matchups against programs such as No. 16 Texas, No. 22 James Madison, Michigan State, and Illinois.

"I think you see a lot of programs out there who have softer non-conference schedules," said Obrest. "We take the approach where we know we need to play the best, to test ourselves. If we take a couple hits we know its going to make ourselves better in the long run, so come our ACC opener, we're ready to go."

The ACC slate will feature home games against Syracuse, Louisville, NC State, and Virginia Tech, with trips to North Carolina, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, and 2018 National Champion Florida State.

Obrest acknowledged the strength of schedule, but added that the team will focus on themselves and the strengths they hold.

"I think we do a pretty good job of selfishly worrying about ourselves", said Obrest. "Yes, we do study our opponents, but we spend a lot of time talking about what we have, and how we can execute our game plan to win. All we are thinking about right now, is getting on the plane to Texas, and facing Boise."

The Eagles open their season in Austin, Texas on Feb. 8 against Boise State at 11 a.m. Live streaming will be provided by ESPN and the Longhorn Network.

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Players Mentioned

Susannah Anderson

CC Cook

Lexi DiEmmanuele

Camryn Dolby

Jessica Dreswick

Kendra Friedt

Kristin Giery

Olivia Markopoulos

Emme Martinez

Allyson Moore

Annie Murphy

Carly Severini

Chloe Sharabba

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