SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Under first-year head coach Shannon Nicholson, the University of Illinois Springfield softball team is gearing up for its opening weekend. The Stars return 13 players from a season ago that earned a spot in the GLVC Tournament.

Nicholson replaces coach Mat Mundell who coached UIS to a 27-25 overall record and 17-17 mark in the GLVC. Nicholson expects her upperclassmen to lead the team to a successful season. "The upper classmen have done a great job in wanting more out of this team," said Nicholson. "They have pushed everyone hard this offseason. Lauren [Hollinshead], Jordyn [Amos] and Chelsea [Minor] will be our senior leaders on the field. Lauren and Chelsea played in the regional in 2012 and are ready to get this team back in a position to make a post season run."

Despite the winter weather in Springfield, the Prairie Stars are ready to begin playing. They head to Bentonville, Ark. to face off in the Arkansas Monticello 8-State Classic this weekend to begin play against Missouri Southern on Friday. UIS will play several other regional competition in its first three weeks of action.

"Our approach to the pre-conference part of the schedule is to really see what our team is made of, and there is no better way to do that than to go up against the best," added Nicholson about her scheduling strategy. "We feel that if we play our game we should be able to play any team and give ourselves an opportunity to win. It will really help prepare us for the GLVC where each game will be a battle."

Junior Alexandira Smith is the returning part of the pitching staff after recording 130 strikeouts and a 2.75 ERA with a 17-11 mark a year ago. UIS is without pitcher Cheyanne Bowman who owned a 10-10 mark last season with a 2.22 ERA. Bowman will likely miss the season due to injury. Nicholson is looking to use sophomore transfer Taylor Bowlby and freshman Rachel Goff to help fill the gaps left by Bowman's abscence.

"Alex is going to be the key returner in the pitching circle. She knows what it takes to win at this level and she likes having the ball in her hand," said Nicholson. "She's ready to make a big impact this season and has done a great job getting herself prepared this offseason to pitch a lot of innings. Taylor Bowlby came in at the semester to help pick up the void of our injured pitching staff. Taylor is a competitor and I can't wait to see her on the mound. She will continue to get better and better as the season goes on. Rachel Goff will add an even different look to the staff. Rachel is crafty and has great location. The three really pair up to make a solid staff."

With Bowlby adding depth in the bullpen, a few other transfers and freshmen are making an impact in other areas of the field. In the offseason, UIS added Brittany Miller (Illinois Central) and Ashli King (Parkland) in addition to three freshmen - Tess Hupe, Jordyn Larsen and Goff.

"I really like the group of transfers and freshman and they are stepping up big time for us right now," said Nicholson. "Miller provides a solid bat and some depth at first base and catcher. King will be splitting the catcher role with Amanda Gosbeth and is really a leader behind the plate. The freshmen have been working tirelessly from day one and are really going to push people at each position. I look for Tess Hupe and Jordyn Larsen to be contributors to the outfield and Rachel Goff is ready to play virtually every position."

On the offensive side, the Stars return a slew of players with experience including sophomore Alexa McClaughry, junior Molly Manietta and seniors Amos and Minor. Minor was a key for UIS last season with a second-best batting average (.311) and 27 RBI. She was also second on the team in stolen bases with 11.

"We will look to try different lineup combinations until we see who is producing," added Nicholson. "Right now we are just going with the hottest bats and seeing what they can do together. It's really going to be a total team offense, not just relying on one or two players. We have a mix of speed, power, and just some solid hitters and are trying to continually put pressure on the defense."

McClaughry will be looked to for a big bat as she was second on the team in doubles as a freshman and batted .270. Manietta was .225 at the plate with three home runs, 32 total hits and third on the team with 25 RBI.

UIS will have a tough go early in the season as it takes on several teams that were in the top 25 last season and made appearances in the NCAA Tournament. Wayne State is on tap next weekend. The Warriors made it to the round of eight and are currently ranked No. 5 in the latest NFCA polls. Later in the season, the Prairie Stars head into conference action where currently Indianapolis and UMSL are nationally-ranked as well.
 
The Prairie Stars officially open the season at home on March 7 and 8 against GLIAC foe Lake Superior State. Game times are schedule for noon on both Saturday and Sunday.