FAIRFIELD, Conn. --  When Head Coach Julie Brzezinski picks up her pen before each game this year, it will be much easier for her to fill in the blank spaces on her lineup card. Five starting student athletes and the entire pitching staff return for the 2009 season which should help the team start the campaign quickly and successfully.

 Sophomore pitchers Sarah Minice and Kelli Panter combined for 23 of the team's 25 wins last season, with Minice posting a team-high 15 victories. She finished the campaign with 143 strikeouts in 175 innings and with a 2.88 ERA, both of which helped her earn All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) first team honors. Panter registered eight wins with a 3.68 ERA and 109 strikeouts in 118 innings.

 The staff also Danielle Iovino (1-0, 3.66 ERA) and Meghan Borst (0-1 in one start), who also saw action last season in the pitching circle. Iovino led the team with two saves.

 The infield returns starting shortstop Kristie Trifiolis. Trifiolis enjoyed another strong season both in the field and at the plate. The junior batted .273 a year ago with eight doubles, three home runs, and a team-high 21 RBI. Defensively, she tallied a team-high 95 assists, slightly less than her 99 put outs.

 Dani Griswold missed most of the season but will be back for this season, ready to challenge for time at second baseman. She started all 16 of her appearances, posting a double and four RBI in her limited season.

 The right side of the infield will have a new look in 2009. Allie Rittaco appears ready to assume the first base position after spending some time there through her first two seasons. Rittaco played in 17 games and gained one start last season, both of which may increase this year.

 The outfield also has a couple of returning starters from a year ago, specifically Jessica Stand and Kristina Lingo. While she did spend time at second base, Stand will make a run at the center field position this season. She finished her sophomore campaign with a .232 batting average, stroking two doubles and driving home five RBI. Lingo led the team in hitting with a .322 hitting percentage and tallied seven doubles, four triples, three home runs and 19 RBI. A right fielder as a rookie, Lingo should challenge for the starting job in right field again this season, and may find playing time at first base. 

 Jenna DiBernardo and Lisa Meringer, Fairfield's two senior student athletes, will continue their role as specialists this season. DiBernardo earned All-MAAC accolades as a designated player last season, and should hold a similar role this year. She led the team with six home runs and added five doubles as well as 18 RBI in 44 appearances. Meringer scored eight runs, most of which came as a pinch runner. She appeared in 21 games last season, one of which was a start.

 The freshmen class will fill specific needs as Kristen Bowen, Amanda Burnett, Laura Carta, Maleah Cousineau, Kayla Marth, and Allison Wigand will have the opportunity to take over the vacant positions left by graduation.

 Bowen is an outfielder who has good arm strength as well as a dependable bat, tools that should help her in her quest for playing time. Carta and Wigand are two shortstops that have the versatility to play other positions if necessary. Carta led Mercy High School to the Connecticut Class LL state championship in 2006. An All-State player, Carta can also play in the outfield.

 Wigand was part of Oceanside High School's (N.Y.) run to the 2008 Nassau County championship. Her athleticism, strength, and versatility should help her vie for playing time immediately. Burnett spent time at third base and behind the plate as El Camino High School. She has a strong knowledge of the game, which should help her collect innings on the field this year.

 Cousineau and Marth are two very capable catchers who can take over the catching duties from Erin Frank, who graduated last spring. Cousineau has a strong arm and a powerful bat, both assets that should make her a regular in the lineup. Marth led Easton High School (Md.) to the Maryland 2A state championship in 2008. A Midshore All-Star for four years, Marth is a power hitter and a solid defensive catcher that will enhance the Stags offense.

 With a talented roster, five returning starters, and her entire pitching staff back, Coach Brzezinski will have the task of finding the winning combination that will send the Stags back to the MAAC tournament. All she needs to do is pick up the pen.

The Fairfield University softball team opens up the 2009 season by playing some of the nation's top competition at the Florida Gulf Coast Tournament this weekend, including 13th-ranked DePaul University on Sunday. The Stags will also take on Bethune-Cookman, Michigan State as well as the host school.