A cast of experienced veterans will soon join a handful of young players in donning red and white jerseys when preparing to take the field again.
Ball State's spring softball season gets underway today when the Cardinals compete in the three-day University of Tennessee at Chattanooga tournament.
The Cards must be ready for a challenge when they open the five-team tournament against Virginia Tech (No. 30, USA Today/National Fastball Coaches Association preseason poll) Friday at 10 a.m. A date with Eastern Kentucky is scheduled for 12:15 p.m.
Veterans such as senior shortstop Katie Shea, junior outfielder Kris Burdine, junior catcher Britni Clark and seniors Janice Campbell and Ruth Hjelmeland will lead the team offensively this season.
Shea compiled 57 hits, a .385 batting average and hit .541 with runners in scoring position last season en route to receiving the 2002 Mid-American Conference player of the year award. She also earned a first team All-MAC selection in 2002, which was preceded by second-team selections her first two seasons.
Coach Terri Laux said she would look for leadership during the spring from Shea, who should get her teammates to play "a little tougher and a little harder."
"I like to lead by example, but I open my mouth when I have to," Shea said. "We have a good bunch of seniors. Our offense is very well-rounded, (but) we have to be consistent all season."
Five freshmen will join 11 returning players for the 2003 campaign. Among the newcomers is first and third baseman Janice Campbell, utility Jodi Willis and catcher Darla Dewig.
Freshmen pitchers Nicki Hellem and Quincy Duran will also see playing time immediately, Laux said.
Hellem said her strongest pitches are her changeup and curveball. Another feature of her repertoire is a rising fastball.
"In the fall, I tried to come along quickly," Hellem said. "Now, I've gotten more accustomed to things. I hope to get some playing time, (although) I will probably switch in and out a lot."
Dewig will share time behind the plate with Clark, a two-time All-MAC second team selection. Dewig has adequate power and will most likely bat in either the four or five spot when she is in the lineup, according to Coach Laux.
Dewig will help replace the production junior designated hitter Lyndsay Buckley provided (.256 average, 33 hits, 10 RBI) last season. Buckley will sit out the season due to a recent knee surgery, which has kept her from giving 100 percent.
In order for Ball State to have a chance at beating Virginia Tech, Laux said the team must simply keep to its style of play.
"We almost start on a level field," she said. "They have a lot of young people versus our strength, which is experience. We just have to go out and attack."
Ball State will play the host UT-Chattanooga Mocs twice in the tourney, Eastern Kentucky and Indiana State once and match up against the Hokies again Saturday at 12:15 p.m.
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