Kansan file photo

Sophomore infielder Destiny Frankenstein attempts to tag out Iowa State junior Heather McLatchie during a game last season.

As the 2005 softball season approaches, the Kansas captains are preparing to carry the team.

Co-captains Serena Settlemier, pitcher, and Destiny Frankenstein, infielder, had different 2004 seasons.

Settlemier is coming back from two injury-plagued years while Frankenstein is coming off a great year where she led the team in steals and batting average and had a great defensive year at shortstop.

Frankenstein also had a great offseason, when she focused mostly on weights and running. Look for Frankenstein to be a leader both offensively and defensively this season. She said she was excited about this season, especially with Settlemier back on the field and pitching well.

Settlemier will be back on the mound for 2005, the first time in two years. Serena had an injury to her wrist, which required a metal plate inserted inside her wrist and 18 months of rehab. After the injury, the doctors told Settlemier that she might not be able to throw again.

“I used it as motivation more than anything,” she said.

She said she remembered some really rough days, but she never contemplated giving up.

With Settlemier back in the pitching rotation, along with sophomore right-hander Kassie Humphreys and freshman left-hander Christina Ross, look for the Jayhawks to be in a position to win every game.

Frankenstein and Settlemier are also looking forward to playing with the four freshman newcomers.

Jackie Vasquez, starting center fielder, and Cyndi Duran, outfielder, bring much-needed speed to the lineup. Settlemier looks forward to playing with catcher Elle Pottorf, who will start this season. Finally, Christina Ross will make an immediate impact for Kansas being the first left-handed pitcher recruited by coach Tracy Bunge.

The 2005 Jayhawk softball team, predicted to finish eighth in the Big 12 Conference, according to the softball preseason coaches’ poll, has a full pitching staff and the speed for the first time in several seasons.

Frankenstein and Settlemier said they each expected to exceed the poll’s expectations.

The Jayhawks start their 37th season Feb. 4 in Arizona.