Spring has returned, and with it the start of the University of New England softball season.

The Nor’easters, who have played in Florida for their first 10 games of the season, kick off their TCCC schedule on Wednesday at home in a double-header against Western New England College.

Expectations are high with the 2011 Nor’easters (5-5), who were ranked third in The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) pre-season poll, and return with a mix of youth and experience.

UNE had a successful season for first-year head coach Dan Letellier last year by finishing 25-14, good enough for second place in TCCC play before being knocked out in the play-in round of the playoffs. The Nor’easters won 10 of their first 13 games of the season, showing their depth by winning despite key injuries to players such as senior first baseman Angie Damon, who led UNE with a .356 batting average on the year.

“I’ve been preaching to them all year, we’re a 19-man roster,” Letellier said last season. “It was just a matter of getting some people some rest, getting people at-bats, because you never know when you’ll need them.”

Letellier returns for his second season, and will have a new assistant coach in Courtney Wallace. She is aa Bonny Eagle High School graduate who recently completed her softball career at Pine Manor College in Chestnut Hill, Mass. Wallace finished her career as the all-time hits leader for the Gators and was a four-time selection on the Great North Atlantic Conference (GNAC) team as a catcher. 

Depth could be a concern for the 2011 squad. While there’s plenty of talent in the starting lineup, 10 players out of the 17-player roster are either freshmen or sophomores.

The talent within the starting lineup is unquestioned. The Nor’easters return catcher Ashley Gott, who finished last season with a .344 batting average, and led UNE in hits (44), RBIs (20) and doubles (10). Gott will be joined in the lineup with sophomore outfielder Casey Brigham, who hit .310 in 37 games last season. Erin Grover returns as a do-it-all utility player, as she hit .287 as a freshman last season while smacking eight doubles. Meagan Johnson, who led the Nor’easters with 11 steals last season, will once again patrol the outfield.

UNE has the benefit of having both of its starting pitchers back for this season. Senior Amber Zablowsky had an outstanding 2010 season, finishing with a record of 14-4 with a 1.44 earned run average. She will be joined in the rotation by junior Erin Lyons, who posted a 10-9 record last season with a 2.47 E.R.A. Julie Bigelow provides depth as the third pitcher, and Grover has experience pitching if the need arises.

If the trip to Florida is any indication, UNE has a talented freshman in utility player Allison Frazier, who finished the trip with a .286 batting average.

Wednesday’s contest against Western New England is scheduled for a 3 p.m. start.

— Contact Dave Dyer at 282-1535 ext. 318.