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Andover Softball Preview

2007 record: 8-12, didn't make state tourney

Returning starters (5): Kerry McCarthy, Jr., 1B; Tricia Martin, Sr., 2B; Nina Yu, Sr., C; Rachel Licciardi, Sr., SS; Alex Strock, Jr., 3B

Returning lettermen: Kathleen Cheney, Sr., P; Jeanette Doucette, Jr., INF; Megan Pettoruto, Jr., OF

Promising newcomers: Meaghan McCarthy, Jr., INF/OF; Ashley Coffey, Jr., OF; Heather Paonessa, Jr., OF; Karissa Bucci, Jr., INF; Joanna Robie, Soph., P; Katie Kucharski, Soph., 1B/OF; Tameka Geaslen, Soph., OF

Candidates in all grades: 60

Captains: Tricia Martin, Nina Yu

Returning honorees: none

Assistants: Steve Tisbert; Betty Iannuccilli, JV; Ben Gibson, Frosh.

Opener: Hosts Amesbury, April 7

Odds and ends: Andover had its string of nine straight tourney appearances snapped last spring. ... The Golden Warriors graduated top pitcher Katie Anderson, who is getting time on the mound this spring for Springfield College. ... Senior Kathleen Cheney and sophomore Joanna Robie are expected to share the pitching duties this year. ... Former Andover baseball standout Ben Gibson, an Eagle-Tribune All-Star in 1998, takes over as the freshman coach. ... The Warriors picked up two multi-sport athletes, junior Heather Paonessa and sophomore Tameka Geaslen, who played lacrosse last year. ... Junior newcomer Meaghan McCarthy was on the Stoneham varsity last year and could be an impact player. She's the daughter of Andover girls hockey coach Bill McCarthy.

Coach Stephanie Ragucci (12th year, 118-114): "I never look at a season as rebuilding. We have a lot of experience and we should be OK. I think our defense will be a strength. We always struggle for runs, and you could say that our pitching is a question mark, but I go into every season thinking we'll win. We have enough talent to win."