In the preseason Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference polls, the Franciscan University Lady Barons softball team faces a prediction of finishing last in the conference. This isn't too surprising since the team finished in this same spot last season with a 3-23 overall record, going 2-16 in the conference. First year head coach Terry Leighty isn't swayed, however, saying it's too early on to tell if that prediction will be accurate or not.

"I really can't predict what kind of record we will have this year at this time," he said. He noted that his team has been working hard from day one to get better by the day. "We are still learning about each other and how the game is played, what we can and can't do as players and as a team, and trying to put all this together to produce a winning atmosphere. This is the first step in bringing winning softball to Franciscan."

The team has five returning players on this year's roster, lead by lone senior Lara Plumlee, who Leighty says has already fallen into her leadership role very naturally. "She is one of our spiritual leaders," he said, "whose faith and enthusiasm has already left a mark on her fellow teammates. She has been a daily influence on our younger players and I look forward to her athletic abilities on the field, as well as her Catholic values and leadership."

Plumlee has taken on some other new roles for the betterment of her young team, Leighty noted, by stepping out of her normal role as an infielder and stepping onto the mound as one of the team's starting pitchers. Leighty considers her a "tremendous hitter and versatile athlete."

Helping Plumlee welcome the eight newcomers to the team will be fellow returners Amanda Ruwart, who as starting third baseman is showing "early promise in being a much improved hitter, and could be our clean-up hitter," noted Leighty. The other three returners are Cathy Durand, Emily Whiteside, and Lauren Kuzma.

Newcomers to watch this year will be Bree Antrim, who will share the pitching and catching duties with Plumlee. Coach Leighty is "expecting a big season from freshman shortstop Rebecca Peters, despite some early season injuries. She can hit, has a powerful arm, and is just a very polished player."

Leighty said that it would be tough to judge his team's weaknesses before getting into games, but he wants to put an emphasis on bunting, baserunning, and cutting down on strikeouts.  "I look for us to score in order to keep games close," he said. "I am encouraged by what I've seen with our hitters. We should score more runs this season than any softball team in school history."

The first year coach knows the competition he is up against in the AMCC, but also knows that the Franciscan softball program is still very young. "Remember, this is only our fourth year of competition. There are many good softball teams in our conference that have been around for many years; we are building compared to established programs." He also noted that, "the success or failure of our team this year shouldn't be equated by wins and losses, we think we have succeeded if we improve game-to-game, week-to-week, to where we can be competitive with the teams in our league. We are blessed with a new field and an administration that believes in what we are trying to accomplish and the direction we're headed. That belief has carried over to our coaching staff and players, and that kind of confidence can carry over into wins."

The Lady Barons kick off their season in sunny Clermont, Fla., when they take on Macalester College (St. Paul, MN) on March 14 at 12 p.m.