FLUSHING, NY --- (www.YORKATHLETICS.com) York College sophomores Samantha Panameno and Ayana Saavedra were highlighted on the 2025 CUNYAC Softball Preseason watch list, announced Tuesday by the league office. Panameno was chosen as Player to Watch, while Saavedra obtained the pitcher designation. 

Playing in 18 games last season, Panameno totaled three extra-base hits, nine runs, seven RBI, and seven stolen bases. She also ranked third on the squad with a .415 slugging percentage, fourth with a .790 OPS, and got on base at .375 clip. In a 20-10 home victory against Yeshiva University (Mar. 14), the Queens native recorded a career-best three hits, three runs, and 2 RBI. In the circle, Saavedra tossed 36.0 innings and registered 15 strikeouts in 2024. She fanned a career-best six hitters in a 17-4 triumph against the Maccabees (Mar. 17). 

According to the CUNYAC Preseason Softball Coaches Poll, the Cardinals are picked to finish sixth.
 

2025 CUNYAC Softball Preseason Coaches Poll

	Points (First-Place Votes)
1. John Jay College	25 (5)
T-2. Hunter College	18 (1)
T-2. Baruch College	18
4. Brooklyn College	15
5. Lehman College	9
6. York College	5

John Jay College totaled 25 points and five first-place votes, while the Cardinals received 5 points. York's 10-game conference schedule begins with a home doubleheader against Baruch College on April 4.

The 2025 CUNYAC Championships will occur on May 8 (semifinals) and May 9 (finals), with the league champion receiving an automatic qualifier to the NCAA Tournament.

The Cardinals look to retain momentum after their four-win 2024 campaign, the most since 2014. Along with Panameno and Saavedra, York returns Michelle Mancuso and Madison Plaza to an exciting freshman class as the squad looks to return to postseason play under head coach Tracey Marshall.

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