The Southwestern Christian University women's softball team is back! The new and improved Lady Eagle softball squad has been gearing up for months now, looking forward to the start of season in mid-February.

After taking a ten-year hiatus in the Southwestern Christian University athletics' line-up, SCU's diamond dolls will take the field for the first time since 2002 under the direction of head coach Kent Williams.

The Lady Eagles, however, look far more practiced and prepared than normal first-year teams do at this stage. With the help of some very cooperative weather for this time of year, Coach Williams has had his Lady Eagles practicing diligently for their season-opener late next week.

"These girls have been working hard this semester in order to prepare for our first season back," said Coach Williams. "Truthfully, I'm more excited to see what this season has in store than any other season I have coached in before."

Though a first-year program, to say as much, this season is not Coach Williams' first rodeo as the 49-year-old father of three served as the Hillsdale Freewill Baptist head softball coach for four years prior to coming to SCU.

Coach Williams will now use his experience and passion for the game to pilot a young and success-driven line-up of young women through a rough and ragged 40-plus game schedule over the course of the next three months, with the help of some tools clad in blue and black.

Splitting time in the circle for the Lady Eagles will be two flame throwers that came to SCU as transfers from Southeastern Oklahoma State University (Durant). Senior Courtney Gaines brings excellent movement with a variety of pitches and has the ability to keep the batters guessing while sophomore Hilary Kuestersteffen stays consistent and rarely ever misses her locations.

When she is not pitching, Kuestersteffen will get the nod at second base for the Lady Eagles, splitting time with relief pitcher Jesse Prince at the two bag.

Tara Williams, a junior transfer from Hillsdale Freewill Baptist, will see time at first base this season and Kayla Millette, a sophomore transfer from Texas State University, will hold things down in the hot corner for SCU.

Wynter Wind, a sophomore from Seminole, Okla., and Cheslyn Payne, a freshman from Yukon, Okla., are two very versatile players with good defensive skills. Coach Williams will use the two interchangeably between shortstop and the outfield.

Joining Wind or Payne in the outfield will be speedster Taylor Mogg, a freshman from Binger, Okla.; Reagan Osborn, a freshman from Wetumka, Okla.; Kelsi Cook, a freshman from Broken Arrow, Okla.; Lauren Robinson, a freshman from Wewoka, Okla.; Shelby Lancin, a freshman from Garland, Tex.; Kierra McGirt, a freshman from Norman, Okla.; and Hannah Daniel, a junior from Republic, Missouri.

Daniel will also be used behind the plate for relief to freshman Crystal Houchins (Okla. City), who will gear up as the starting catcher for the Lady Eagles.

Offensively, SCU will have an even mix of speed and power in their nine-man line-up.

While the leadoff hitter is still undecided, Coach Williams will look to Mogg in the two-hole spot to move the runner and get on base. Mogg is a triple threat at the plate for SCU, as her speed allows her to slap, bunt, or hit in order to get on base.

Kuestersteffen has powered her way into the clean-up spot for the Lady Eagles. She will be surrounded by Millette and Williams who are also both powerful hitters as well as consistent at the plate.

The rest of Coach Williams' line-up lacks nothing in quickness, which will make for handy use of the short game in order to get runners on base.

"I am just very excited to get this season underway," stated Coach Williams when asked about his thoughts on the upcoming season. "This team has a lot of potential. We are going to be able to compete in every single game. There really isn't a game on our schedule that we simply just can't win."

The Lady Eagles are picked to finished eighth - or dead last - in the MCAC's Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll because their newness enables them to be ranked according to prior performance. With the exception of the top-seeded Central Baptist College - a team that is ranked fourth nationally in the NAIA's Top 25 Preseason Poll - the rest of the conference is up for grabs as any one of the other seven squads, including SCU, can easily claim a spot at the top of the rankings by the end of the season.

The Lady Eagles' season opener is slated for Thursday, February 16th at Saint Gregory's University (Shawnee) with a 2pm start-time for the double-header. Their home opener is set for Saturday, February 18^th as they host Rogers State University (Claremore, Okla.) at 1pm and 3pm.