photo courtesy of Mark Campbell

GREENVILLE, N.C. -- The University of Delaware softball team will open its 2009 season this weekend when the Blue Hens participate in the East Carolina Pirate Clash.

Delaware, which was picked in a tie for sixth place in the Colonial Athletic Association Preseason Coaches Poll, kicks off its season on Friday when the Blue Hens face Siena at 9 a.m. and Fordham at 11 a.m. UD will again play Siena Saturday at 4 p.m., and on Sunday will face Towson at 11 a.m. and East Carolina at 1 p.m.

Delaware, which will be led by 29th-year head coach B.J. Ferguson, returns eight starters and 13 letterwinners while welcoming five newcomers for the 2009 season. The Blue Hens went 22-26 overall last season and finished in seventh place in the CAA with a 4-17 league record.

Senior Quinn Megargel will lead the Delaware offense after starting all 48 games and ranking second on the team with a .323 batting average last season. Megargel tied for the UD lead with 32 runs while adding 41 hits, eight doubles, four triples, three home runs and 19 RBI. Senior Katie DeSalvo batted .254 with 30 hits and 17 runs scored for the Blue Hens, while senior Kim Ovittore hit .2238 with 24 hits and 15 runs batted in.

Sophomore pitcher Anne Marie Pagano (at right) will pace the Blue Hen pitching staff after posting a 13-10 record with a 3.20 earned run average during her rookie season.

Delaware is scheduled to make its home debut on Wednesday, March 18 when the Blue Hens host Lehigh in a 2 p.m. doubleheader at Delaware Field.