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When UW-Stout takes to the diamond this, they return six players from last year's squad led by first team all-conference catcher Beth Lloyd (Sr, Fond du Lac).
The team will consist of two seniors, two juniors, three sophomores - including one transfer - and 13 freshmen.
"This is a team with unbelievable potential," said 11th year coach Chris Stainer. "The chemistry on this team is very good and should provide for more success. The players have done more individual sacrifice in favor of the team."
Lloyd last season hit at a .419 clip (52-124) and had six doubles on the season. Lloyd is in her fourth season as the starter behind the plate.
"Beth has started all four years and is very good defensively and offensively," Stainer said. "She is a heads-up player who calls the right pitches."
Joining Lloyd as the only other senior is shortstop Savanah Oeltjen (Sr, Spring Valley, Minn). Oeltjen has held down the starting role at shortstop for the last two seasons. Last year, Oeltjen hit .280 from the lead-off spot with seven sacrifice bunts, and collected eight stolen bases. Oeltjen finished the season with a .928 fielding percentage.
"Savanah is very athletic," Stainer said. "Her arsenal of options is getting better. Her mechanics are stronger and her swing is more aggressive."
The Blue Devils, who finished the season at 16-21 last year, also return pitcher Kristy Hoffman (So, Circle Pines, Minn), first baseman Nelly Peterson (Jr, Cumberland), outfielder/pitcher Katie Fichter (Jr, Baraboo) and oufielder Megan McDonald (So, Hudson).
Lloyd, Oeltjen, Fichter and Hoffman make up the team's captains.
Hoffman turned into the Blue Devils' lead pitcher, seeing action in 26 games, posting a 9-8 overall record. She pitched a team-high 118 innings with 50 strikeouts and an earned run average of 2.49.
Peterson was a jack-of-all-trades who played first, second and third base, as well as shortstop, over the course of the season, committed six errors in 254 chances for a fielding percentage of .977.
"We had Nelly everywhere last year, because we needed her everywhere," Stainer said. "But this year, we will keep her at first base. She is a good communicator and is more composed this year."
Fichter made 14 appearances in the circle and collected 45 strikeouts in 50 innings pitched. Fichter also started 11 games in center field.
McDonald hit .333, going 27-of-81 in 34 games. She was perfect in stolen base, taking all four attempts.
Joining Fichter and Hoffman in the circle is Rachel Roberts (So, Crystal, Minn), a transfer from Hamline University. Roberts has the potential to dominate a game, Stainer said, and showed in high school she has some staying power. In one tournament game, Roberts struck out 30 batters in a 23 inning game.
While Lloyd is expected to get the most time behind the plate, she will be backed up by Natalie Most (Fr, Prescott) and Emily Rehurek (Fr, New Richmond).
Behind Peterson is expected to be Jessica Rosentrater (Fr, Fall Creek).
Oetljen will be backed up by Kelly Conway (Fr, LaCrescent, Minn) and Chelsey Nelson (Fr, Rochester, Minn).
Conway, despite being predominately a pitcher in high school, looks to take over at second base.
"We have been impressed with Kelly," Stainer said. "She is very solid at the plate and very athletic."
Freshman Sara Sivertson (Elk Mound) is expected to take the third base spot.
"Sara has capitalized on an opportunity and took the spot," Stainer said. "She is stepping up to the college level."
Nelson will back up Sivertson and will also play in the outfield. Deanna Pelot (Fr, Wausau) will also see some time at the hot corner.
Fichter, when she is not pitching, and McDonald, will hold down the starting outfield spots. McDonald is capable of playing all around the outfield and saw a fair amount of time last year, mostly at left field. She will move to center field when Fichter is pitching.
Taylor Wild (Fr, Apple Valley, Minn), Lisa Reiter (Fr, Elgin, Minn), Janet Kemen (Fr, Braham, Minn) and Kaitlin Helgaas (Fr, Fond du Lac) will vie for the third outfield spot. Wild, along with Carly Grover (Fr, Zumbrotta, Minn), will also work the designated player spot. Reiter and Helgaas will also pinch run.
The Blue Devils play four doubleheaders in the Rosemount Dome before they head out to their spring trip in Hawaii. The Blue Devils open the conference schedule, Tuesday, April 1 at UW-Eau Claire. The home schedule opens Thursday, April 3 when Stout hosts UW-River Falls at 4 p.m.