With three consecutive trips to the Freedom Conference playoffs, including a runner-up showing in 2008, head coach Rich Matarese and his Delaware Valley College softball squad have put together the best run in program history.

This year's edition is a young one as nine freshmen and five sophomores comprise 14 of the 19 spots on the roster (the rest of the roster is three seniors and two juniors). They will look to overcome the inexperience, improve on last year's 14-16 showing (10-6 and third place in conference action) and return to the postseason. They have even greater incentive as, for the first time, the conference championship will be held on the Delaware Valley College campus (May 7 and 8).

Win the program's first-ever championship in front of the home crowd? That would suit everyone just fine, but there's a lot of work to do between now and May.

“We are really young and there are always questions with that, but there's a lot of good talent on this squad and the potential is certainly there,” Matarese said.

Heading the group of returnees is senior and three-time all-Freedom Conference honoree Bethany Pavlik (Lewes, DE/Sussex Tech). Pavlik led Delaware Valley and was fourth in the conference in both batting (.430) and on-base percentage (.481). She also paced the Aggies in slugging percentage (.634) and hits (40), and was second in doubles (5), triples (1), home runs (4), runs scored (18) and RBIs (21). Pavlik also made a smooth transition from the outfield to shortstop and committed just eight errors in 164 chances.

Pavlik, who was the Freedom Conference Player of the Year in field hockey, enters his final collegiate season needing just three home runs and 26 RBIs to break the school's all-time record of 19 home runs and 95 RBIs that former teammate Nicole Dorney set from 2005 to 2008.

Sophomores Keri Hardiman (Howell, NJ/Howell) and Becky Furman (Oak Ridge, NJ/Jefferson Township) are back in the infield and are also expected to contribute more on the mound this season. Hardiman played in 24 games (23 starts) and third baseman batted .294 with four doubles, one triple, one home run. 12 runs scored and eight RBIs. She also committed just six errors in 68 chances for a .912 field percentage at the hot corner. Hardiman took the mound four times with one start and went 1-0 with a 3.13 ERA.

Furman pitched mostly out of the bullpen in 2009 (15 appearances – 3 starts) and posted a 2-5 record with five saves and a 6.44 ERA. She also saw time at second base and batted .273 with a double and nine runs scored.

Fellow sophomore Maggie Kichler (Pittsburgh, PA/Oakland School) has the most collegiate pitching experience for the Aggies as she appeared in 19 games with 14 starts last season. She notched a 5-6 record with 34 strikeouts and a 3.17 ERA in 84 innings of work.

Yet another sophomore, Kasey Martini (Tinton Falls, NJ/Monmouth) returns after starting 20 of the 23 games she appeared in last year. The centerfielder batted .267 and both scored and knocked in six runs.

Lauren Fenstermacher (Mohrsville, PA/Schuykill Valley) and Nancy Kauffman (Camp Hill are back for their senior campaigns. Fenstermacher, an outfielder/infielder, started 17 games in 2009 and batted .179 with two doubles, three runs scored and two RBIs. She will also serve as a team captain for the second straight year, Kauffman, an outfielder played in 18 games with 14 starts and had two hits, two runs scored and two RBIs.

Juniors Courtney Case (Clarksville, MD/River Hill) and Ashley Lynch-Giangregorio (Holbrook, MA/Norfolk County Agricultural) and sophomore Sarah Lazar (Flemington, NJ/Hunterdon Central) round out the returning letterwinners.

Case, an infielder, had two hits in 12 contests (10 starts) while Lynch-Giangregorio, an outfielder/infielder, batted .286 with one double, one run scored and one RBI in 14 appearances (six starts). Lazar, an infielder/outfielder, started 14 of the 15 games se saw time in and hit .189 with three doubles and four runs scored.

Delaware Valley College will open its season with nine games on its Spring Break trip to Cocoa Beach, Florida, beginning with a contest against Sweet Briar College on Sunday, March 14. Freedom Conference action begins on Saturday, March 27 when the Aggies host DeSales University for a twinbill.