West Windsor, N.J. -- Mercer County Community College sophomore Angela Marinos has been selected as one of the nation's top returning players in Division II softball by the National Junior College Athletic Association. Marinos, of Hamilton, is a 2010 graduate of Steinert High School, where she was a standout player.

During her first season at Mercer, Marinos earned a .444 hitting average, with five home runs, 40 RBIs, and seven stolen bases. She was selected as the no. 2 player in Region 19 at the end of the 2011 season and was named to the All-Region First Team and to the All-GSAC First Team.

According to Head Coach Ryan Zegarski, Marinos, who played catcher and third base last year, will play catcher and short stop this season; in doubleheaders, she is likely to alternate positions. "Playing catcher is mentally and physically taxing," Zegarski said. "Short stop is another challenging position where you have to be athletic and smart, but you don't take quite as much of a beating."

He notes the Vikings will also look to Marinos for her tremendous hitting. "We will be counting on her. She will be in the middle of the order," he says. Three other sophomores -- Mary Rossi at short stop and second base, Brittany Szafran in centerfield, and Jamie Scannella as catcher and at third base -- will also be key. He reports that freshman pitchers Cynthia Page and Stephanie Canulli are working hard and improving their skills every day. "We will be counting on them to throw strikes," Zegarski says.

Also on the roster are newcomers Chelsea Arnold (Ewing, NJ/Ewing) in the outfield; Drew Craig (Ewing, NJ/Ewing) at second and third base; Bianca DeAngelis (Hamilton, NJ/Notre Dame) in the outfield and at catcher; Gabrielle Glenn (Lawrenceville, NJ/Lawrence) in the infield; and Emily Price (Hopewell, NJ/Hopewell) at first base and in the outfield.

Set to begin his eighth season, Zegarksi notes that the biggest challenge this year will be the Vikings' small roster. With 11 players, there will be no room for extended injuries. He notes that last year's recruiting process was especially tough because the number of players graduating from area high schools was unusually small. "Most of the players we looked at were sophomores and juniors. That affects our recruiting in a big way." He adds that six current high school seniors have already committed to playing for Mercer next season.

Following away games in Maryland on March 3, 4, and 9, the Vikings will open their Region 19 season in a doubleheader at home against Camden County College on March 15, starting at 2:30 p.m.

Zegarksi will be assisted by assisted by Danielle Brossoie and John Rooney.

The full softball roster is available here. For the season schedule, click here.