After a disappointing 2003 campaign in which the softball team finished 14-24 overall and 7-13 in the Mid-American Conference and missed the MAC tournament for the first time in four years, coach Terri Laux looks to right the ship.
There's some good news for Laux and her Cardinals. With seven newcomers, Laux said the lineup is not set in stone, meaning everyone will have to fight for a starting position, and thus create a competitive nature amongst the team.
"(The newcomers) have made our upperclassmen better. They've pushed them along and the upperclassmen can't sit back and assume they have a starting role," said Laux.
Creating good team chemistry, playing with consistency and staying healthy will be goals for this year's squad, she said. Last year's team was hurt by injuries, and players were forced into unfamiliar defensive positions as a result.
"If we can play consistently throughout the MAC season, I see us vying for that top spot in the West," she said.
Laux said going into the season, she realizes youthful mistakes will be made, but hopes the underclassmen will learn from those mistakes.
"I think the energy and passion they bring to the program can't be matched," she said. "They have the energy we're looking for to just go out and play."
The Cardinal's key loss is Katie Shea, who led the team last year in batting average. But Laux doesn't expect anyone specifically to replace Shea. Instead, it will take a team effort.
"I could go through every kid and say they could help us offensively," said Laux. "What we're going to have to accomplish right away is doing it as a team and staying strong as a lineup (at batting positions) one through nine, and not counting on one or two people.
"Whoever will be out there will be people who earned it. Our job is to put our best product out on the field," she said.
Pitching should be stronger this year, Laux said, with the return of junior Randi Freese, who sat out last season after having shoulder surgery. However Laux said all five pitchers will be counted on to step up.
"All five have a little bit of different pitches they throw,"said Laux.
Ball State will face several currently ranked opponents this season, including Iowa and Georgia. They also face tough teams in Georgia Tech, North Carolina and Evansville. As for MAC opponents, Laux believes the league has great parity this season.
"It's our philosophy that it's not who's across the field, it's how we play," she said.
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