Liberty softball player, Emily Cecchini, will pick up where she left off at the District XI final when the third baseman takes the field for the 2013 Lehigh Valley Carpenter Cup Softball Tournament next week.

"Hopefully, I'll be able to hop right back in there," said Cecchini, speaking from an extended visit to the U.S. Naval Academy.

The tournament, which will begin on June 24 at FDR Park in Philadelphia, will be Cecchini's second appearance, after making the team last year.

"It was really important to me [to make the team again]. I really enjoyed it last year, and it gave me exposure [to college coaches]," Cecchini said.

Cecchini will play third base, as she does for Liberty, and her secondary position will be catcher.

"I like them both, but I really enjoyed the opportunity to play third base this year," she said.

The Lehigh Valley team had its first practice on June 12, with a scrimmage scheduled for June 19.

"It's a totally new group of girls learning how to play together again, and the cohesiveness will be different. I think this team definitely will go far and has an opportunity to do really well. The talent is distributed evenly," said Cecchini.

One of the aspects of the Carpenter Cup softball tournament that Cecchini appreciates is the equal amount of playing time that each player will experience.

"I just think it's important for everyone to support each other and keep everyone's morale up," Cecchini said.

The double-elimination tournament scheduled for June 24-27 at FDR Park in Philadelphia.