The Jamestown Community College softball team is scheduled to open its season Sunday with a doubleheader at Finger Lakes CC. Pictured in front is assistant coach Brynn Pagett. In the middle, from left, are: Savanna Krystofiak, Chyan Kelly, Lindsey Spitz, Emma Lindsey and Jamaladie Pacheco. In back are: assistant coach Sydney Yachetta, Angelique Palacio, Jena Vacanti, Desiree Nelson, Cassidy Vincent, Cheznea Rivera, Sydney Dahl and head coach Tabatha Stenstrom. Photo by Austin Lindell

It will be a young squad for the Jamestown Community College softball team in 2023 as every member hitting the field will experience collegiate softball for the first time, but head coach Tabatha Stenstrom is excited to see what they can accomplish together.

“With them all being freshman, they have been fantastic in the preseason,” Stenstrom said. “They have all come together as one. They have the same mindset where they come in to put in the extra work outside of our practice times.”

Leading the way for the Jayhawks are captains Jena Vacanti (Brocton/Brocton CS), Cheznea Rivera (Franklinville/Franklinville CS) and Savanna Krystofiak (Brocton/Brocton CS).

“It was a very tough decision for our coaching staff to pick captains this year,” Stenstrom said. “A lot of our players met the criteria that we were looking for. It’s a dedicated and motivated group, that’s for sure.”

Other members of the squad include Lindsey Spitz (Jamestown/Jamestown HS), Cassidy Vincent (South Dayton/Pine Valley CS), Emma Lindsey (Ripley/Chautauqua Lake CS), Chyann Kelly (Bailey, Colo./Platte Canyon HS), Jamaladie Pacheco (Dunkirk/Dunkirk HS), Sydney Dahl (South Dayton/Pine Valley CS), Angelique Palacio (Tucson, Ariz./Desert View HS) and Desiree Nelson (Window Rock, Ariz./Window Rock HS).

The Jayhawks will be road warriors to start of the season, playing their first six games on the road. They will travel to Finger Lakes CC on Sunday to begin Region 3 play.

Jamestown CC will have its home opener on April 11 when it welcomes Erie CC. The Jayhawks will have six more home doubleheaders, including games against Herkimer College (April 22), Mohawk Valley CC (April 23), Corning CC (April 27), Niagara County CC (May 2), Monroe CC (May 4), and Tompkins Cortland CC (May 7). All home games will be played at Werner Field in Russell, Pennsylvania.

“Getting to playoffs is our first step,” said Stenstrom. “We are a young team so it’s all about building for the future. Our team has a chant that is ‘Capture the flag,’ meaning that we don’t have a banner of any kind in the gym for softball, so it’s extra motivation for us.”