Elmira, NY -- It was a bumpy road for the Elmira College softball team a year ago, as the Soaring Eagles produced an 8-16 overall record with just one of those wins coming in Empire 8 Conference play. However, last season's results have done little to hinder the confidence and expectations for the 2016 version of the Purple and Gold heading into their season opener on Wednesday, March 30th, against Hilbert College.
 
Much of Elmira's optimism this season can be attributed to EC's depth. The Soaring Eagles sport one of their largest rosters in recent history with 22 players, the bulk of which is comprised of underclassmen (17), as Elmira returns just eight players from last year's squad.
 
"We have depth this year," said Head Coach Rhonda Faunce, who begins her 28th season at the helm of the EC softball program. "Defensively, we are solid; more solid and more athletic than we have ever been. Offensively, we have some big bats up and down the lineup and when I'm looking at the potential batting order, there isn't a weak spot."
 
With an upgrade at the plate and a revamped defensive approach, Elmira will look to make noise in the always competitive Empire 8 Conference. EC's season-opening doubleheader against Hilbert will serve as the team's only preparation for its conference opener, which is slated for Saturday, April 1st, against Houghton College.
 
INFIELD
Defensively, Elmira looks to be in good position heading into the 2016 campaign with an influx of new talent. The change in personnel will be warmly welcomed, as EC registered its lowest fielding percentage (.931) in nine seasons a year ago, which ranked last in Empire 8.
 
The new-look infield begins at first base, where Coach Faunce has a plethora of options in rookies Hannah Vignone '19, Sam Chadbourne '19, and Rachel Gamache '19, as well as two-time Empire 8 All-Conference honoree Emily Carlin '17. All four players have been praised by Coach Faunce for their power at the plate, but Carlin is the only one with collegiate at-bats to her name. Carlin batted .293 a season ago with a team-leading .466 slugging percentage and a team-high seven doubles.
 
Although Carlin has the most experience at the position, her versatility as a pitcher will most certainly give the three freshmen opportunities to see significant time at first base. Vignone looks to be the front runner for the starting gig after completing a stellar high school career that saw the Coventry, CT, native collect First-Team All-State accolades.
 
As much depth as there is at first base, second base is just as loaded. Elmira has three options at the position, as Chelsea Storch '17, Carolyn Corcoran '19, and Olivia Harnois '19 will battle it out for the starting spot.
 
After starting in 22 games at third base in 2015, Storch has spent the offseason and months leading up to Wednesday's season opener transitioning into an everyday second baseman. Storch seems to have a leg up on the competition, but will look to build on her.239 batting average from last year, which included one extra-base hit.
 
The vacancy left at third base by Storch has paved the way for rookie talent Emily Clark '19 to slide into a starting spot. Coach Faunce has not left much doubt that the 5-foot-11 Connecticut native will be the day one starter. "She's real dominant," said Faunce. "She swings a big bat and is emerging as the best presence at third."
 
Alongside Clark will be fellow newcomer Miranda Keefe '18, a local of Horseheads, NY, who transferred in from Corning Community College.  "Miranda played for a really successful team before coming to us and hit over .450, so she will be somewhere in the top part of our lineup," raved Faunce. Keefe posted impressive numbers for the Red Barons last season with a .495 batting average, 33 runs scored, 30 RBIs, and two homers in 31 appearances.
 
Rounding out Elmira's infield is fourth-year catcher Katie Day '16, who will most likely get the majority of starts behind the plate. Known for her defensive ability and high softball IQ, look for Day to serve as a leader for Elmira's young pitching staff. Also keep an eye on Rachael Ames '19, Kaelynn Briggs '18, and Vignone to make appearances behind the dish.
 
OUTFIELD
This could be Elmira's best defensive position this season, as the Soaring Eagles will field a speedy outfield corps led by twin sisters Jacquelyn Heggie '16 and Julianne Heggie '16. Julianne spent the majority of the 2015 campaign at second base, but will be making the switch back to an outfield position this year.  
 
"The Heggie twins can play anywhere," Faunce stated. "Putting Julianne back in the outfield is going to make it hard for opposing teams to get one down out there."
 
Aside from their defensive abilities, also look for the Heggie sisters to provide a spark on the offensive side of things, especially on the base paths. The two combined for 19 stolen bases and 23 runs scored a season ago and both rank inside the top-five in EC history for stolen bases, with Jacquelyn holding down the second spot with 25 career steals and Julianne sitting in fifth with 19. Also keep an eye Jacquelyn at the plate, as the fourth-year standout led the Soaring Eagles with 13 RBIs in 2015.  
 
Also returning to the outfield is another speedster in Hannah Lundgren '18, who started in all 22 appearances last season. The Horseheads, NY, native hit .244 in her collegiate debut with six RBIs and seven runs scored.
 
Joining EC's returning outfielders will be a slew of new talent in Maddy Johnson '19, Jasmine Melendez '19, Sarah Hill '19, Rachel Katzenberger '19, Briggs, Ames, Harnois, and Corcoran. All have been praised by Coach Faunce for their hard work in their first go-around with the Soaring Eagles, but Johnson looks like she could be the standout of the group.
 
Johnson brings a variety of skills to the plate, which should separate her from her fellow classmates, as the freshman talent swings a lefty bat with the ability to slap, drag, and hit for power. "She's great at the plate and can do a lot of different things for us," said Faunce. "She's just as fast as the Heggies and has a great softball IQ. We've never had a player like her before."
 
PITCHERS
After losing a pair of top-notch pitchers in 2014, the Soaring Eagle pitching staff experienced growing pains in 2015. Elmira saw its collective earned runs average balloon to 6.73 once the season came to a close, EC's highest ERA in over 11 years; however, with a year of experience under the belts of several young pitchers, Elmira looks like it is one step closer to filling the void with a handful of hurlers.
 
"Whether it's good or bad, I think all the pitchers will see time," stated Faunce. "We are going to have to mix it up by showing opposing teams different styles and different speeds. So, having a two or three options allows us to mix it up like that."
 
The day one starting spot is still up for grabs, although Katie McDougal '18 and Carlin look like the top two choices at the moment. McDougal made 11 appearances in the circle with six starts in her freshman debut. Her ERA stood at 5.51 by the season's end, but look for McDougal to see more success in her second season with the Soaring Eagles.
 
Carlin led the Purple and Gold with a 2.86 ERA last season with a 3-1 record, two complete games, and 10 strikeouts, all of which were or tied for the team lead. Opposing batters hit .295 against the crafty righty, which was also a season-best for the Elmira women.
 
Another returner that should see substantial time in the circle is Marisa Bernardi '18, who came on strong for EC down the stretch of the season in 2015. In 33.1 innings of work, Bernardi picked up three wins, logged two complete games, and fanned nine batters.
 
"Marisa is probably our best at hitting her spots right now," said Faunce. "Last year, we put her in and she pitched through the order once and they couldn't touch her because it was so different. She will definitely give us a different look when she's out there."
 
Rounding out the pitching staff is Binghamton, NY, native Amber Wallach '19. The lefty hurler is known for her ability mix up speeds, which should again help Elmira provide a different look for opposing batters.
 
OVERALL
Elmira will have almost an entirely new look in 2016, with the exception of a handful of returners at key positions. Offensively, EC looks like it could be primed for a breakout season as the dish, while the defensive alignment in the infield and outfield are stronger than ever. The question that will need to be answered is Elmira's pitching and if the wide variety of talents in the circle can produce outs.
 
"If the pitchers can mentally hold their own, I think we can be tough," Faunce simply stated. "There is some pressure on them to put the ball where we need it so we can be competitive in those tough games."
 
Coach Faunce continues, sharing her thoughts on the upcoming year. "I'm optimistic about what we can do and we have a really nice group of players. If we can score runs anything is possible and I think we will score runs this year.  I think we are going to be tough to get out and when we get on base we are going to be super aggressive. I foresee some high scoring games."
 
The Soaring Eagles open the season tomorrow, March 30th, when EC hosts Hilbert College in a non-conference doubleheader at Eldridge Park Stadium. Game one is slated for 3:00 p.m.