MVNU graduated six seniors – three of which were four-year starters – off last year's squad that posted an 18-19 overall record and a 7-9 American Mideast Conference mark. The Lady Cougars will have to replace their top three batting averages and four of their top five run producers from a year ago with those graduations.

However, MVNU coach Jeana Howald is optimistic and excited about the possibilities that lay ahead for this young team. "I am just excited for this team to get outside and get some games under their belts,” said Howald, who enters her 22nd season at her alma mater with a 466-362 overall record. "Yes, we will be young and a little inexperienced, but we also have a lot of versatility and depth. The players are working hard and pushing each other for playing time, and it will be interesting to see what happens.”

After returning seven position players last year, the Lady Cougars only have two players back in the same starting spots as the season unfolds in 2011. However, MVNU returns the bulk of its pitching staff and has added some new arms as well.

On the mound, sophomore right-hander Jill Wildermuth returns after a solid freshman season that saw her post a 9-7 overall record with a 2.37 ERA and five shutouts as she earned a spot on the AMC Second Team. She led the Lady Cougars with 106.1 innings pitched and 37 strikeouts. She will be joined by senior lefty Stephanie Burlew (7-5, 3.77 ERA), sophomore right-hander Morgan Coburn (2-4, 5.05 ERA, senior right-hander Meagan Stott (0-3, 5.75 ERA) and freshman right-hander Ashley Riffell.

"We have a lot of depth on our pitching staff,” said Howald. "Jill developed into one of the better pitchers in our conference last year, and we'll look for her to lead our staff. The other pitchers all have shown that they are capable of helping us as well and just need to continue to be more consistent. They will each have the opportunity to contribute.”

For the first time in four years, there will be a new catcher behind the plate after Caitlin Murphy caught every game the past four seasons. Sophomores Loren Thomas and Kayleigh Williams will both compete for time with Thomas moving behind the plate after starting 31 games at third base for MVNU a year ago and batting .274. Williams batted .333 in seven games off the bench.

Junior Jenn Gulley will get the starting nod at first base to begin the year. She batted .214 in 16 games last year and has worked hard to improve in the off-season. Sophomore Kaylee Hewitt will also compete for the starting job once she recovers from an injury to her throwing shoulder. Hewitt will most likely start the year as the team's designated player after batting .343 with 20 RBI on her way to being named to the AMC First Team a year ago.

Senior Kristin Kurelic returns at second base where she has started for four years. She batted .324 with 19 runs scored last season. Freshmen Brittney Kuhn and Kara Morrison are also capable of playing there after solid high school careers.

At shortstop, the Lady Cougars will look to replace four-year starter Tasha Konkle. Morrison is the front runner to earn the starting nod entering the year, but sophomore Melissa Eickholt will also compete for the spot as she makes the transition from basketball to softball after helping the MVNU women's basketball team to their first-ever NAIA Division II National Tournament appearance.

Thomas, Stott, Eickholt, and Wildermuth give the Lady Cougars lots of options at third base. While Thomas is the returning starter at the position, her transition to the catching role will create opportunities for others to play in that spot.

The starting spots in the outfield will most likely go to junior MacKenzie Shaw (left field), freshman Lindsey Minor (centerfield), and senior Liz Misich (right field). Shaw earned AMC Second Team honors as a sophomore as she batted .317 with 14 runs scored. Misich hit .244 a year ago and made 17 starts. Sophomore Kelsey Berryman, Kuhn, and Gulley will also compete for time and add to the depth at the position.

The Lady Cougars will get their season under way with 10 games in Clermont, Fla. on the team's annual spring trip. Then, upon returning north, MVNU will jump right into the thick of the AMC slate with conference doubleheaders against Malone University, Point Park (Pa.) University, Cedarville University, Carlow (Pa.) University, Walsh University, Notre Dame College, and Ursuline College. The top four teams in the regular season standings will advance to the AMC Tournament.

The Lady Cougars will also play non-conference doubleheaders with Salem International (W.V.) University, the University of Findlay, Urbana University, Kenyon College, the University of Rio Grande, and Malone.