First pitch is less than a week away and the Blackburn College Softball Team has been hard at work in preparation. Led by second-year coach Suzannah Toresdahl, this year's squad returns to the field after an unfortunate 2014 season resulting in a 6-32 record and a 2-16 record in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The Beavers will also be without 2014 SLIAC Honorable Mention All-Conference infielder Lauren Rhodes. Rhodes is currently recovering from off-season hip surgery and will be out the entire season. As a sophomore last season, Rhodes hit .323 while leading the team in walks (17) and homeruns (3).
Returning for their final seasons will be infielder/pitcher Mary Chamberlain, outfielder Nicole Lamore, pitcher Erica Wilson, and infielder Leslie Stumpf.
Chamberlain (Johnsburg, Illinois) hit a career high .303 while also swiping seven bases last season. As a pitcher she threw five complete games while allowing the second fewest walks on the team with 14. "Mary is one of our better hitters and she did a lot of work in the off season. She will see a lot of time on the mound," says Toresdahl. Nicole Lamore (Bourbonnais, Illinois), who saw most of her action as a pinch runner, scored four runs and stole two bases last season. Erica Wilson (O'Fallon, Illinois) returns after hitting .345 with 38 hits and 11 runs batted in. On the mound Wilson was 1-5 with a 9.92 era and two complete games. "Erica worked a lot in the offseason. She will return as one of our better hitters as well," Toresdahl added. Leslie Stumpf rounds up the senior class after missing the past two seasons. In her freshman season she hit .138 in 33 games.
Representing the junior class this season will be outfielder Faydra Sommer (Springfield, Illinois), and utility player Abigail Sutton (Petersburg, Illinois). Sommer returns after hitting .246 with four stolen bases in 32 games. Sutton appeared in 35 games with six runs scored and was second on the team with six steals.
New to the team this year will be sophomore catcher Jaclyn Elmore (Lebanon, Illinois). Last season for Southwestern Illinois College, Elmore hit an impressive .443 with six homeruns and scored 31 runs. Coach Toresdahl spoke highly of Elmore explaining "She's big time. She will really help us out." Infielder Meghan Ude (Bunker Hill, Illinois) is coming off her freshman season where she hit .236 in 32 games for the Beavers.
Wrapping up this year's team will be the freshman group of outfielder Nicole Kelly (St. Louis, Missouri), utility player Mikayla Grove (Lewiston, Illinois), infielder Allison Howard (Winchester, Illinois), and catcher Hannah Goett (Springfield, Illinois) "Hannah is going to be splitting time at catcher with Jaclyn. She's going to be really good," Torsdahl said.
The Beavers will begin their season on March 11th as they travel to Arkansas to play a double-header against Williams Baptist. Their first home game will be Sunday March 11th when they play host to Augustana College.