MEDFORD, MA. -- The Lesley Lynx softball team kicks off their 2020 season at The Spring Games in Clermont, Florida this weekend. The Lynx will play ten games in Florida, including three against nationally ranked opponents. The trip will finish out with games against #17 Ithaca, #13 Rowan, and #24 Manhattanville.

The Lynx were ranked third in the NECC Preseason Coaches' Poll with 37 points, behind only Eastern Nazarene and New England College. They will look to improve on their fourth place conference finish last season with an 11-5 record in the NECC and 25-15 overall record.

The team will be led by a strong core of returnees, including juniors Jordan Day and Riley Pickett, sophomore Mahlia Medina, and senior Allyson Murphy. Day was named to the All-Region New England First Team last season after finishing second in the nation in batting average at .578. She hit ten home runs and drove in 45, while not striking out a single time. Day also picked up ten wins on the mound last year. Pickett was named the All-NECC First Team third baseman last year after hitting .355 with six home runs and 25 RBI. Medina, a sophomore second baseman, was named to the All-NECC Second Team in her freshman year. She hit .304, drove in 18 runs and committed only eight errors in forty games. Murphy comes into her senior year after back-to-back All-NECC seasons. She hit .316 with four home runs last year, while only committing one error behind the plate.

Day and Pickett are both optimistic that the team's strong preseason will carry over into success as they begin their games. "I think as a team we are working really well together and our chemistry is the best it's ever been, so I'm hoping to bring it over into Florida," Day says. "We have a pretty sound team right now defensively, even working through some losses of seniors that graduated last year, so as long as we work to get our bats hot and continue growing, I'm sure we can be successful this season."

Pickett is looking forward to the challenges that facing three ranked teams on this trip will bring. "After growing extensively together on and off the field during preseason, we are more than ready to take on the most ambitious spring training yet," she says. "We have developed a confidence and trust in each other that is essential to us going out and competing against some very talented teams. All of our hard work in the weight room and on the field has prepared us to be the best team we can be. Our grit and competitiveness will be showcased when we play down in Florida and ultimately when we come back to fight for the conference championship."