BROOKLYN, N.Y. -- The LIU Brooklyn softball team, winners of a record 14 Northeast Conference championships, the most of any team in any sport in league history, is poised and ready to make a run at the 2019 tournament title, with the first pitch of the new season coming this weekend.

Led by head coach Roy Kortmann (25th season, 653 wins) and his experienced staff, the Blackbirds return six starters and 14 letterwinners as they build upon last year's NEC Tournament run when they went to the championship final, losing to an undefeated Saint Francis U. for the second time in the event. This year's infusion of eight newcomers will combine with the talent coming back to downtown Brooklyn, to create a squad that was recently voted second in the NEC preseason coaches poll.

OUTFIELD
The LIU outfield will be one of the strongest parts of the team for the Blackbirds, with two returning All-NEC performers and the team's leadoff hitter all back to push the offense.

Sophomore Ryleigh Bermea was the NEC's breakout star in 2018, earning Rookie of the Year and First Team honors after hitting .327 with a team high seven home runs and 36 runs batted in (3rd in NEC), while playing center field. Junior right fielder Patricia Griffin, an All-NEC Second Team selection, is the Blackbirds' leading returning hitter (.343, 6th in NEC) and ranked first in the league in hits with 59. Junior Katie Hinkle, who batted .294 with 10 stolen bases (6th in NEC) in her first season as a full-time starter in left field, led off every game in 2018.

"Those three had solid years for us both offensively and defensively last year," said Kortmann. "With a year of experience, we look forward to their continued development. All three are leaders and role models and can provide our team with comforting level of confidence. Katie is a dual threat at the plate, and an outfielder that can cover ground. Ryleigh is a solid defensive player with an accurate arm, who can provide gap to gap power for us. And Tricia is a very tough out at the plate with a high contact ratio. She is a very dependable player on both sides of the ball."

The coaching staff will also look for depth from senior Amanda Domingo, along with freshmen Camryn Lyman and Kristen Blanchard, who will provide plus defensive help and solid offensive options for the team.

INFIELD
The Blackbirds return three starters around the diamond, highlighted by sophomore Kiana Cisneros (.304 batting, 31 runs scored) and senior Schae Dickson, who was named to the All-Tournament team at NECs last year. Sophomores Alina Castillo (.259 batting, 44 starts) and Emily Collins (33 games, 18 starts) are expected get significant playing time on the right side of the infield, following positive freshman campaigns.

"We have some good versatility across our infield and can mix and match as we see fit," said Kortmann. "Kiana possesses quick feet along with a solid instinct for the game. We are excited to see Schae carrying a much more confident approach at the plate. Alina will see time at short stop and third base, as her improvement mechanically and mentally is also very apparent this year. Emily returns to help us at third base and behind the dish. She had a terrific fall for us offensively, and can really deepen our line up. Senior Evie Claussell and newcomers Angelina Reno and Kelsey Day will add depth and talent to our infield corps as well."

CATCHER & DESIGNATED HITTER
It will be a new era behind the plate for the Blackbirds after graduating Victoria Zamora, a former NEC Rookie of the Year, three-time All-Star and two time Golden Glove winner. Two freshman, Samantha Garcia and Alyssa Martinez will share the catching duties for the team, as both can provide offense with extra-base power.

"Both have plus arms and can control the running game for us," Kortmann said. "They are developing solid communication levels with our pitchers which is critical to our success on the mound. And with our offensive depth, we also have a multitude of options for the DH spot every game, which will help greatly."

PITCHERS
While the team lost top starter Erynn Sobieski to graduation last spring, juniors Haley Irvis and Tallie Woodson return, along with sophomore Victoria Lowe and two promising freshmen Zoë Estoppey and Elena Valenzuela. Irvis led the team in appearances (35) and was second in starts (16). Woodson, a southpaw who missed most of last season due to injury, is expected to get stronger as the season goes along, while Lowe led the team in earned run average and was second in innings, complete games and strikeouts.

"Haley and Victoria are both are markedly improved as pitchers," Kortmann said. "Having pitched versus our pre-season schedule last year, as well as in the conference tournament, the experience will pay big dividends for them this season. Tallie is rehabbing from an injury she suffered in our first weekend last year, and has made great progress recently.  And Elena and Zoe learned a lot in the fall, and will provide valuable contributions this year."

SCHEDULE
The Blackbirds have put together a tough non-conference schedule that features six tournaments over the first six weeks of the season, against top teams from all over the country. At the FGCU Kickoff Classic in Fort Myers from February 8-10, the Blackbirds will open with Ball State in their season premiere on Feb. 8, followed by a pair of games against Kent State (Feb. 8-9) and FGCU (Feb. 9-10). LIU Brooklyn will also host 11 games at LIU Field, with three non-conference games in late March, before a quartet of Northeast Conference doubleheaders in the middle of April that will include Alumni Day (Sat., April 13 vs. Mount St. Mary's) and Senior Day (Sat., April 20 vs. Wagner).