The Viterbo University V-Hawks Softball team comes into the 2010 season with high hopes and an array of young talent. Eleven incoming freshman combined with just four returning seniors will look to improve on last years' 11-41 overall finish as the team finished in eighth place in the Midwest Collegiate Conference.

Spring break can't come soon enough

The V-Hawks open up the 2010 season with their annual spring break trip to Tucson, Arizona. While on this road trip, the team will play 12 games over a six day period. The V-Hawks first opponent will be Black Hills State University on March 7. During this stretch of non-conference games to open the season, Viterbo will face Madonna University who is ranked #14 in the National Association for Intercollegiate Athletics.

The V-Hawks open the season ranked as the #8 team in the MCC Pre-Season Poll. William Penn University is currently ranked #1 in the MCC which the V-Hawks face in their regular season finale in a double-header on April 28. William Penn also received some national recognition as they are ranked #21 in the NAIA Pre-Season Top 25 Poll.

Ward leads group of veteran returners

Catcher Betsy Ward (River Falls, Wis.) returns for her junior season after being the only V-Hawk to earn MCC All-Conference honors last season. Last season marked the second time she has won the award in as many years.

"Betsy is an extremely talented catcher and hitter," Coach Andrea Tsilis said. "She has brought a lot to the team over the past two years and I have high expectations of her again this year. She is a two time all conference catcher - the best in our conference. Her communication skills directing the infield are second to none. She is a confident player and that carries over into the team."

Last season Ward hit for a team high .313 average while starting in all 52 games. A centerpiece for the team from behind the plate, Ward caught in all but 15 of the teams' games. The games she was relieved of her catching duties she was put to work at third base for the V-Hawks. Ward collected 45 hits last season which is the most of all returning players. Three of her hits went for home runs while she drove in 22 RBI's.

With another year of experience under her belt, the sky is the limit for Ward as she is expected to be a top hitter as well as the main backstop for the young Viterbo pitching staff.

Another returning junior expected to improve on last season's solid performance is Jenna Strait (La Farge, Wis.). Strait also started in all 52 games last season with all but one of them coming at shortstop. Strait went on to hit .276 last season while accumulating 42 hits which is the second most of all returning players. Her 26 RBI's last season was tied for the most last season with now assistant coach Kacey Moline.

"Jenna has been perfecting her skills on the infield and as a hitter," Tsilis said. "On the field she has been increasing her range at shortstop by focusing on angles. In the box, she has a near perfect swing putting all of her power into a compact explosion when she meets the ball. She is a very dedicated team player and has been a great mentor to our freshman shortstop."

Senior Marissa Rathbun to lead group of young arms

Last season's leader in wins, ERA, strikeouts, and innings pitched returns for her senior season in the form of Marissa Rathbun (Rochester, Minn.). Despite posting just a 4-20 record, 36 of the 121 runs Rathbun allowed were unearned. With an improved defense cutting down its errors, and the continued improvement Rathbun has made, she can expect an improved record as well as being seen as the leader for the rest of the young Viterbo pitching staff.

Along with her reliable pitching, Rathbun is a key contributor on offense as well as she posted a .267 average with three home runs and 15 RBI's last season.

"Marissa is in a unique situation," Tsilis said. "She will only be with us for half of the year due to an academic opportunity that she could not turn down. Even though she knows she will only be here for half the season, she has been putting in the same time and effort like she has done for the past three years. She is a tremendous athlete and has a true champion of character attitude dedicating herself to the advancement of the team."

Also expecting to see a lot of action on the mound this season is sophomore Kallie Mechling (Holmen, Wis.). Mechling recorded the second most innings pitched last season (89.0) while posting a 3-9 record with 25 strikeouts.

Freshman class to play a big role if season goes as planned

The eleven freshman marks the most players this season's team has per class. The senior class consists of four players while both the sophomore and junior classes are represented by three players. This particular freshman class seems special to Coach Tsilis for a reason though.

"The freshman class has brought so much to this team as a whole," Tsilis said. "We have depth in every position, variety in our line-up and on the base paths. They have brought this team to another level and show no signs of slowing down."

Utility player Bethanee Nitz (Fr. - Menomonee Falls, Wis.) is expected to see some time on the mound this season as she can also serve as an outfielder. Coach Tsilis stated that she wouldn't be surprised if Nitz could someday lead the conference in pitching. She has the velocity and accuracy combined with the confidence and intelligence to become a great pitcher.

Seeing some playing time in center field will be freshman Kenisha McGuire (La Crosse, Wis.). McGuire has shown an innate ability to track down the ball coupled with an explosive arm which should give her many opportunities to throw out base runners.

Nicknamed "speedy" by her teammates, Abby Boisjoile (Fr. - Coon Rapids, Minn.) has looked great in her pre-season workouts. Boisjoile is a candidate to be the lead-off hitter for the V-Hawks this season while seeing time in an outfield position. She will also make appearances in games as a designated hitter as well as a pinch hitter and runner.

Coming to Viterbo originally as a second baseman was Amanda Nordby (Fr. - Brownton, Minn.), but a recent need for a third baseman has forced Nordby to switch positions. "Amanda is doing a great job so far stepping into her new role" stated Coach Tsilis. "She now has the ability to show off her quick glove along with her accurate throw over to first base."

Infield and outfield positions expected to be decided after spring break trip

While it's safe to say Strait will play shortstop and Kelly Sentkowski (Sr. - Plainfield, Wis.) will play second base, while players such as Andrea Haines (Jr. - Arcadia, Wis.) and Christina Breuer (Sr. - Glen Haven, Wis.) will be roaming the outfield, many positions remain up in the air for the upcoming 2010 season.

Nordby seems to have an early edge in the competition for starting third base but final positions are far from set in stone. Tsilis states, "Spring break will be a true determining factor as to who will be in the starting positions once conference play has arrived."

Early indications go to show that the lead-off position in the batting order is between Boisjoile and McGuire. Other candidates for the lead-off spot are Haines and Strait. These two don't seem as likely though they may serve as the number three or four hitter along with possibly Rathbun, Ward, and Breuer.

"There are currently a lot of power hitters on the team," said Tsilis. "So performance during the team's time in Arizona will determine places in the batting order."

Each pitcher to receive an opportunity to compete

While last season's squad witnessed just four players make pitching appearances, this season appears to be a different story.

Each of the team's six pitchers is expected to see time on the mound according to Tsilis. The pitching rotation will vary based on the teams they are facing and the specific needs of the team at a given point and time.

Bright outlook for 2010 season

While Viterbo is projected to finish eighth out of the nine teams in the MCC, Tsilis believes that this season's team will prove many people wrong. "This season is going to be a breakout season for Viterbo Softball. We have a ton of talent and ambition. Each person is accepting of their role and works towards the greater good of the team. We are a family."

The V-Hawks will host their home opener on March 31, against the Crusaders of Clarke College. Viterbo will play host to just four teams this season with the way the new scheduling works out. Each game will be a conference doubleheader as Viterbo's home opponents include Clarke College, Waldorf College, Iowa Wesleyan College, and William Penn University.

Coach Tsilis has this to say to the fans about the upcoming season. "We appreciate the support you have given in the past and hope to see you at the field this upcoming spring!"