ELMIRA, N.Y. -- The Elmira College softball team begins its 31st season under the tutelage of head coach Rhonda Faunce on Wednesday, March 20, when the Soaring Eagles trek to nearby Williamsport, Pennsylvania, to challenge Lycoming College.

Despite the wintery weather that has been a staple of the Southern Tier, the Purple and Gold are eager to get on the diamond with warmer weather on the horizon. With 30 games scheduled between March 20 and April 20, the Soaring Eagles will need to steel themselves for some fast and furious competition in 2019.

Despite the gauntlet of challenges ahead, EC returns a veteran-laden roster that features a six-member senior class. Maddy Johnson '19, who is coming off of an Empire 8 All-Conference First Team performance a season ago, headlines the group that will lead the Purple and Gold this spring. With a trio of freshman and one transfer in the fold, Faunce believes that the team has just the right mix of youth and experience to make some noise on the field this spring.

Pitchers
The Soaring Eagles will have a different look in the circle in 2019 following the graduation of Katie McDougal '18. McDougal was a workhouse over her four-year career, as she amassed 252 innings of work and a 4.81 ERA as the Purple and Gold's go-to option.

Despite losing McDougal, EC is in good hands with junior standout McKenzie Slaven '20. The local product from Horseheads, New York, is primed to rise to the occasion as Elmira's No. 1 this season, after picking up five wins with a stellar 2.81 ERA in 67.1 innings a year ago. As Slaven goes, so will the team, as the former three-time All-New York State selection looks to continue her development under Faunce. Despite battling some nagging injuries throughout preseason, the junior has worked her way back for the start of the season.

"Mckenzie is going to be key to what we are trying to accomplish," Faunce said. "When she's not pitching, she'll be playing short stop and will slot in at third in our lineup. For her to get off of the injured list will be important for us moving forward. She's a dominant player."

Rounding out EC's rotation will be Bianca Palese '21 and Ally Barr '21. Palese returns after seeing limited time as a freshman, but will look to make an impact in the circle as a talented arm for Faunce to deploy. Barr, a transfer from Empire 8 Conference rival Houghton College, will compete with Palese to form EC's starting duo along Slaven. Barr tossed 37.2 innings in 16 appearances as a bullpen mainstay for the Highlanders in 2018, and her experience against E8 competition is a welcome addition to the roster.

"Ally already has a year under her belt as a transfer," Faunce stated. "We've been working on her pitch placement and we think Ally and McKenzie will be able to hold down our starting spots in the circle."

Catchers
Behind the plate this season, Faunce will likely turn to Sarah Garner '20 and rookie Felicity Brockhuizen '22. Garner has the ability to play all over the field for the Purple and Gold and has featured heavily at both catcher and shortstop. Last season, the Syosset, New York, native was extremely consistent at the dish, hitting for a .339 average. Her bat and defensive prowess will be needed once again as the Soaring Eagles push for a post season berth.

Providing depth at catcher will be Brockhuizen, who was named an All-Greater Rochester Honorable mention in the last two seasons of her prep career at Palmyra-Macedon.

Infield
Elmira boasts an experienced infield this season with a trio of seniors in Carolyn Corcoran '19, Sam Chadbourne '19 and Olivia Harnois '19 leading the way.

After making 11 appearances, as a junior Chadbourne will be leaned on as EC's everyday option at first base. The Braintree, Massachusetts, native has the tools to be a power-option at the plate as she sees more time in the lineup after swatting two doubles and a homer with a .484 slugging percentage last season.

"Sam's energy has been amazing," Faunce said. "She's one of the keys to our success. She never has a bad day and has been dominant through preseason. We're a completely different without her in the lineup."

Corcoran and Harnois have been fixtures in Elmira's infield over the last three seasons and 2019 will be no different. The pair can be deployed throughout the infield and will be key cogs for EC once again.

Sam Jenkins '20 joins the senior duo as a veteran presence in the infield. Jenkins started in 17 contests last season and will move around the infield depending on the lineup EC is facing.

Freshmen Alex Brockhuizen '22, twin sister of Felicity, and Alexis Dinga '22 join the infield fray in their first year as Soaring Eagles. Brockhuizen, who joined her sibling on as an All-Greater Rochester Honorable Mention at Palmyra-Macedon as a junior and senior, will challenge for a starting spot. Dinga, a former two-sport standout at Union-Endicott High School, further bolsters the athletic array of options for EC throughout the infield.

Outfield
A pair of everyday outfielders are back for their senior seasons with Rachel Katzenberger '19 joining Johnson in patrolling the outfield grass at Eldridge Park.

Johnson is coming off a stellar campaign in which she hit .472 with 34 hits and seven walks as Elmira's table-setter. The speedy Johnson swiped seven bags last season and will be utilized in similar fashion to generate offensive opportunities with her legs.

"Maddy is going to be in our lead-off spot," said Faunce. "She's a game-changer, she's quick and understands the game really well. She has developed so well as a slapper over the years that she's become a difficult out for other teams."

Katzenberger is entering her third-year as an everyday starter and adds another lefty threat at the dish for EC. Katzenberger provides an all-around steady presence to Faunce's lineup, after adding 16 hits and a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage as a junior.

"Rachel has been in the outfield with Maddy and they've both been holding it down," Faunce added. "The two of them are players we don't have to worry about. They always do everything right."

The third spot the outfield will be held down by a platoon effort following an intense preseason battle this spring. Amber Wallach '19, Paige Cring '21 and Taylor Pavese '21 have all impressed after seeing limited time last season. A pair of newcomers in dual-sport athletes Savannah Terry '21 and Kassi Hastings '21 bring a serious dose of athleticism to the outfield corps after suiting up for Elmira's women's volleyball team in the fall.

Season Opener
EC opens the season on the road for the first time since 2015 when the Purple and Gold battle Lycoming in a doubleheader on Wednesday, March 20. The twin bill will mark the fourth-consecutive season in which the Soaring Eagles have squared off with the Warriors. Lycoming picked up a pair of victories over Elmira in 2018, as EC will look to pick up its first victory over its non-conference foe since sweeping the season series in 2014.