The 2015 edition of the Spring Hill College softball team opens a new era as they move from the NAIA to NCAA Division II and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) this season. Head coach Alison Sellers-Cook is looking forward to the change and says her players are excited to get the adventure started. "Our players are approaching this year with the same focus, determination and enthusiasm as past years," she says. "They are ready to get started and take the field and face the new challenges."

The strength of the Badger program is once again inside the pitching circle where junior two-time NAIA All-America selection Caroline Sagrera of Baton Rouge, La., toes the rubber after two consecutive seasons leading the NAIA in strikeouts for a 917 career total. Joining Sagrera this year will be freshman Kimberly Small from Daphne, Ala., who Sellers-Cook says is ready to give some rest to Sagrera who has thrown 683 total innings in two seasons. "It will be a nice advantage to rest Sagrera a few games this year," she says. "Especially since we play at the SIAC Divisional Crossover this year and those innings will stack up quickly on a pitcher." Junior Sarah Bolotte of Marrero, La., will also look to earn time in the center of diamond this season.

On defense, Spring Hill is loaded with veteran experience. The infield sees senior four-year starter Elise deBruler of Luling, La., return to 1st base with junior Lauren Stewart of Clanton, Ala., backing her up after a successful junior college career at Southern Union State Community College. Senior Shea Blanchard from Breaux Bridge, La., returns to the shortstop position and fellow senior Emma Kittrell of Lucedale, Miss., is back at 3rd base with freshman Rene Kausin from Salinas, Calif., looking to earn her collegiate stripes. Freshman Carmen Byrd of Mt. Vernon, Ala., will be the lone lowerclassman in the lineup taking over the hole at 2nd base. Junior Samantha Leach is back behind the plate at catcher and she will be joined by junior Katherine Pennington of Madisonville, La., who joins the Badgers from Holmes Community College.

The outfield will look familiar to Badger followers as sophomore Jenna Charnock of Mobile's Baker High School is back in left field and senior Taylor Webre of Luling returning to centerfield. Right field will once again be patrolled by junior Taylor Lahasky of New Iberia, La.  Sophomore reserve outfielder Abigail Burman of Arab, Ala., will be joined by junior Elizabeth Gregory from Pontotoc, Miss., who earned a slot on the varsity squad during the offseason.

On offense, sophomore Mary Glass of Hoover, Ala., will step back into the designated player role that she won last season while Stewart will also be available to swing the bat as either a designated player or in pinch hitting situations. Freshman Margaret Maurin of Foley, Ala., will see time on the infield corners and at the plate this year while freshman Randi DeArmitt of Metairie, La., has impressed Sellers-Cook with her arm strength and should see action in various roles.

Other newcomers to the Spring Hill roster include freshmen outfielder Brooke Vosloh of Destrehan, La., infielder Alexa Williams of Destrehan, infielder Mary Scholl of Athens, Ala., catcher Paige Elliot of Spanish Fort, Ala., and utility player Emily Winans of Kansas City, Mo.

"This year we should feature strong pitching and an offense that has more depth and options," says Sellers-Cook. "Our defense is more experienced than any we have had in years and their chemistry is wonderful. It will be an interesting year as we begin a new conference, but our ladies are ready and eager to accept the challenge."

Spring Hill hosts the University of West Alabama Lady Tigers (2-2) on Sunday at noon at Murray Field in a non-conference doubleheader.