Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff

The New England Riptide softball team opens the 2007 National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) season in Fairfax, Virginia, against the Washington Glory tonight at 7:05.

Starting pitchers are likely to be Jocelyn Forest and Sarah Pauly. Both pitchers were 15-5 last year and shared the league lead for victories with Radara McHugh. Forest and Pauly last pitched against each other in the NPF league championship game last August, with Forest and the Riptide winning 2-0 (Pauly played for the Connecticut Brakettes, the franchise which gave way to the Washington Glory).

This season the Riptide will be looking to become the first NPF team ever to win back-to-back championships.

The Riptide play four games with Washington before going to Illinois for a four-game series against the Rockford Thunder. New England returns home to Lowell for the home opener against the Venezuelan National Team on June 14.

2007 NEW ENGLAND RIPTIDE

Front office/coaching staff

Owners: Joe and Lauri Adlman
General Manager: Joe Adlman
Head Coach: Sharon Drysdale
Assistant coaches: Christy Hebert, Adrian Gregory, Lacy Gillotti

Players

Catchers
KJ Kelley (Bats-right/Throws-right)

Infielders
Tarrah Beyster (R/R), Lisa Iancin (R/R), Jackie Aquarelle (S/R), Jessica Merchant (R/R), Garland Cooper (L/R)*

Outfielders
Alex Sutton (L/R), Gina Carbonatto (L/R), Lisa Modglin (R/R), Carri Leto Martin (L/R), Shanel Scott (L/R)

Utility
Lyndsey Angus (R/R)

Pitchers
Erica Beach (L/L), Jocelyn Forest (R/R), Danielle Henderson (R/R), Eileen Canney (R/R)*

* Garland Cooper and Eileen Canney were drafted, but cannot officially sign until the conclusion of their college season with Northwestern University.