The Jayhawk softball team is full of high hopes for this coming season. The team looks forward to improving their 33-24-1 record from last year. The team lost two seniors, but numerous strong players returned.

With the loss of pitcher Kassie Humphreys, the Jayhawks look to slide freshman Allie Clark, into her position. Junior Valerie George, who ended last year with a 9-4 record and a 2.11 ERA will join Clark. Sophomore Sarah Vertelka will also return to pitch this season. She ended last year with a 5-5 record and a 2.89 ERA. Sophomore Caitlin Kennedy will push for a chance to pitch as well.

Junior catcher Elle Pottorf, who led the team last year with nine home runs and 37 RBI, will return this season. But freshman Brittany Hile, who has shown a solid arm, looks to push Pottorf for playing time behind the plate.

“We are excited about what Brittany brings to the team.” coach Tracy Bunge said.

Senior Sara Sidebottom will act as the bullpen catcher while she competes for catcher.

Junior Val Chapple will return to play third base for the third year in a row.

“Val defensively stepped her game up for us last year.” Bunge said.

Junior Stevie Crisosto will likely stay at shortstop after batting .302 last year, but freshman Colby Festmier will push her for time. Sophomore Sara Ramirez will play second base. Ramirez will try to improve on her six-home run season last year. Sophomore Amanda Jobe will move from right field to first base. Senior Addy Lucero will also look to put in time at first base. Last year Jobe hit .295 for the season while playing right field and designated hitter.

With Jobe moving to first base, the outfield could feature sophomore Ally Stanton, speedy senior Betsey Wilson, and junior Dougie McCauley — who batted leadoff in every game last year while batting .265 on the season. Allie Clark will join the outfield when she is not pitching.

“It’s fun to be in the Big 12, but it is not a cakewalk because many teams are ranked in the top 25 consistently,” Bunge said.

The team looks to take a step forward offensively and score more runs. This fall season, Bunge said he wanted to throw catchers in the mix and switch players around to see what lineup worked best.

A new NCAA rule will cut back the number of games the Jayhawks can play in 2008. Currently teams have 56 days to play games, with the possibility of playing up to three games per day. Next season the rule will limit teams to 56 games with a longer time span to play them. This will even out weather problems throughout the country by allowing teams to adjust their schedule to their climate.

The Jayhawks kick off their season with the Jayhawk Softball Triangular against Butler Community College and Missouri Southern on Sept. 22, and Missouri Western on Sept. 23.

— Edited by Luke Morris