(WILMINGTON, Ohio) - Wilmington's softball team is set for a strong year with a good blend of veteran leadership and experience, paired with a promising freshman class, under third-year Head Coach Megan Warren. Assistant Coach Jazmyne Smith joins Coach Warren in her first season, and Tom Purtell in his twenty-fifth season.  

"Our offseason and preseason have been good. We experimented differently this fall, and I think it helped keep everyone connected," says Warren. "Everybody has been getting along and vibing with each other, which I think is important factor to our team success."  

Coach Warren expressed the importance of connecting the freshman-heavy squad with her experienced upperclassmen. "We have a lot of young players. It is important they mesh well with our upperclassmen, and they have done a good job of that."  

The upperclassmen have also impressed Warren throughout the preseason. "We have seen exciting things from our freshmen and our upperclassmen. The upperclassmen are in a really good headspace and are motivated. They prepared well and came into our preseason at a good level to start with." 
 

Key Returners 

Coach Warren mentioned numerous returners for whom she expects to perform well this year. 

Alasandra Spears, a junior third baseman and infielder, has been a mainstay for the Quakers. Spears has started 74 games in her career, tallied 62 hits, and has played stellar defense. 

Fellow infielder Jocelyn Franz, a primary second baseman, returns after an incredible season. Franz was named First Team All-OAC and NFCA Third Team All-Region VII after batting .393, 44 hits, 20 RBIs, and 13 multi-hit games. The junior also improved her slugging percentage from .417 in her freshman year to .518 last year. "Jocelyn was All-Region last year, and it was awesome to see her get recognition. I expect her to continue this season."  

Behind the plate, junior Ashley Jo Hardesty has come into her own as the Quakers' backstop. "Ashley worked in our DP spot last year. She has come in as our catcher, and I am excited to see her behind the plate more," adds Warren. "She has gotten better as a leader." The junior started in 35 games last year, batting .314 in conference with 29 hits and 20 RBIs overall. 

In the circle, Belle Baughman's development will help lead the Quakers' staff. "She had a great year last year; I expect she will do the same this year," says Warren. "She has done great at really understanding what her strengths are, learning how to pitch, and not to throw." Baughman made 15 starts last year, pitching five complete games. She led the team with 34 strikeouts and 75 innings pitched. 

Maddie Starnes projects to start in the outfield for Wilmington. "She had a great start to her freshman year and has dealt with injuries, but I expect her to take a starting spot in our outfield." The junior excelled in her freshman year, hitting .302 in 19 games with 16 hits and 15 RBIs.  

Lauryn Humphrey has been a jack-of-all-trades for Coach Warren. "She has done a lot for us, pitching and playing in the outfield. She has done great, taking the new role in stride and learning."  

Sophomore Addysen Stevens has been exceptional for the Quakers. "She held down centerfield for us as a freshman, and she has had a great preseason already," exclaims Warren. Stevens appeared in 29 games, starting in 18 last year, collecting 14 hits and 12 RBIs.  
 

Newcomers to Watch 

With a team full of freshmen, Coach Warren understands the approach necessary for the season.  

"We are going to have freshmen on the field and in the lineup in some way. They are excited by that," adds Warren. "We have some who are great hitters, and our pitchers have been great."  

Overall, it is the camaraderie and culture that Coach Warren has emphasized as the key to her squad. "The freshmen have been great about understanding where opportunities are for them, competing within themselves and other teammates. They have connected very well with the upperclassmen, and I think this team has some of the best camaraderie I have seen since I have been here." 

Alaina Eldridge, a corner infielder transfer from the University of Findlay, has boosted the team's morale. "Alaina has created a spark in our team. She is a good connector and has a high softball ability."  

"Overall, it is important to give opportunities early in the season to see what we have," emphasizes Warren. "I have learned to always give bench players opportunities, using early games to get them into games, whether it be at bats, pinch running, or pitching innings. It helps to evaluate, but also to give them opportunities when their moment comes."  

With the help of Coach Smith, Warren has been able to focus on certain aspects. "I have been more detailed on defense with alignments. Jazmyne's help has been exciting; she has been great with the players in preseason, working with them offensively and relating with them. It allows me to take a step back and focus on our pitching and defense." 
 

Schedule Notes 

The Quakers' season kicks off in Bridgewater, Virginia, against Mount Aloysius College and Bridgewater College on Friday, February 20. Wilmington will play Mount Aloysius College and McDaniel College in a doubleheader the following Saturday. 

Wilmington will participate in the Space Coast Spring Games in Melbourne, Florida, from March 8 to March 12, playing four varsity games. 

The Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) opener is on the road against Baldwin Wallace on Saturday, March 21.  

The Quakers' home opener is against Earlham College, for another rendition of the Quaker Bowl, on Tuesday, March 24. Wilmington's OAC home opener is scheduled for that Saturday, March 28, against Heidelberg University. 

Wilmington will celebrate Senior Day on Saturday, April 11, against Otterbein University. The green and white will conclude their regular season at Marietta College on Saturday, May 2.