As the softball season approaches, the coach and players alike are excited for a new season.

“We want to improve,” said coach Jim Molloy. “Nobody wants to win more than myself and the players on the team.”

This season has the potential to be competitive, according to Molloy. With 17 players on the team, six of those being new, this year promises a fresh start.

One of those new players is Nicole Bohnenstiehl, a sophomore transfer from Southern Miss. Although she is recovering from leg surgery, she will return, Molloy said.

Defense has improved due to the experience of the team, Molloy said. Two-thirds of the outfield is comprised of returning players. One of those returning is junior Erin Jeffrey, who went second team all-conference last year.

As far as offense: “If we’re to be competitive, we’ve got to be able to hit the softball,” Molloy said.

According to Molloy, the key ingredient is not just making hits, but hitting while on base. The other key ingredient is pitchers. One of those pitchers is sophomore Kristin Rossi.

Rossi said that the team has visibly improved from last year. “I hope that people take notice of the SLU softball team.

“Offensively we’ve improved. Self-confidence is really noticeable when up to bat,” Rossi said. “We trust our infield and know that each person out there will support the other eight players.”

A lot of the improvements are directly from the relationship of the players. “All the girls really mesh well together,” Rossi said. “In fact, five players live on the same floor in Reinert (Hall).”

Rossi also said she sees a more positive outlook from the team. “We’re looking forward to each game at a time.”

Molloy said that this season the team has the potential to be a very competitive.

Returning this season are junior outfielder Erin Jeffrey and pitcher, sophomore first baseman Beth Yagge and sophomore outfielder Beth Puttcamp. Puttcamp led the team in steals and was second for hitting last season.

Yagge said she thinks that the team is more focused this year. “We look more unified as a team,” she said.

“We have a lot more talent this year,” Yagge said. “We want to improve our record: we’re looking for many, many more wins.”

According to Yagge, defense is more solid this year due to the confidence of the team.

Key players, according to Molloy, are junior Janet Venorsky, shortstop, and freshman Kerri Higgins, who pitches a little, but mainly plays infield and outfield.

“We have great potential, and just need to put our hard work into action,” Higgins said.