BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Though it is tough to think softball when you have 20 inches of snow on the ground, softball is definitely on the mind of Head Coach Sam Carrodo.

Carrodo, entering his 13th season, and his Lady Spartans are preparing for their second season in Region XIX of the the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), as they open play on March 15th in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

If year two is anything like the inaugural season of NJCAA competition, Carrodo and the Spartans will have a lot to cheer about.  The Spartans finished 2009 ranked 8th in the country with a 27-10 record and fell one game of short of advancing to the NJCAA World Series, losing to Brookdale in the Region XIX championship game.

"I was absolutely thrilled with how last season played out," remarked Carrodo, "we obviously hoped that we would do well, but to tie for the regular season title and advance to the Regional championship game, was even more than I could have imagined."

The Spartans return many of the key players from last season's squad, including NJCAA 2nd Team All-American Casey Ord.  Ord, a graduate of Palmerton High School, batted .543 and converted 34 of 34 stolen base attempts as the lead-off hitter for the Spartans.  

All-Region performers Tiffany Kobordo, Carly Brawn and Lindsay Frontino also return for their sophomore seasons.  Kobordo batted.476 with 41 RBI's, Brawn anchored the middle of the Spartan defense and batted .373, while Frontino led NCC on the mound with a 12-1 record and 1.09 ERA.

Carrodo is also high on newcomers Kate Check (Bethlehem Catholic), Gina Falco (Freedom) and Krysten Rockovits (Catasauqua).  "We have a real good mix of talented returners and newcomers," commented Carrodo, "now the key is for all of the talent to accept their roles to make the season a success."

The Spartans are scheduled to open the home portion of their schedule on March 24th when they host Lackawanna College at 3:00pm.