The University of Wisconsin softball team will kick off its 2008 season Friday at the Red Desert Classic in St. George, Utah. The Badgers are looking to improve on their 27-20 record last season and have added eight new players ? six freshmen and two transfer athletes ? to the mix. Despite the new additions, the team will still look for contributions from their four returning starters: Ricci Robben, Lynn Anderson, Joey Daniels and Alexis Garcia.
?I know that the stream of young talent that we are bringing in will pay off for us,? head coach Chandelle Schulte said. ?That being said, talent is one thing, and experience is another.?
The Badgers will have the opportunity to gain experience quickly since their schedule includes weekend tournaments throughout the nation. They head to Utah this weekend and will hit several other stops across the country before their first home game in April.
Though the schedule is hectic, Schulte views it as a chance to prepare the team for heading into conference play.
?My hope is that we will be battle-tested and fearless going into the Big Ten season,? Schulte said.
Pitching looks to be a strong suit this season, and the Badgers are led by Leah Vanevenhoven and Letty Olivarez. Last year as a freshman, Olivarez put her name at the top of every category on the freshman pitching record list while finishing with a 9-7 record. Vanevenhoven is one of four captains this season and had a 3.99 ERA last year.
Catcher Joey Daniels and shortstop Lynn Anderson provide senior leadership to the youthful squad.
?I?m excited for our two seniors, Joey Daniels and Lynn Anderson; they are both ready to have the best season of their careers.?
Daniels hit five homers and drove in 22 runs last year. Anderson?s strength has always been her defensive ability, though Schulte expects a bigger offensive season from her this year.
?My guess would be that this will be her best offensive year,? Schulte said of Anderson. ?She seems to be more relaxed at the plate and has a better perspective on how the game works together both defensively and offensively and is able to separate those emotions.?
Though the Badgers did lose plenty of production from a season ago, the team has an optimistic attitude heading into the new season.
?You very well could see five new starters on the field this year,? Schulte said.
?This team?s work ethic and devotion to UW softball is amazing; we are all on the same page and know that ?every moment counts.? That?s the team motto and on the back of our practice jerseys.
?While I?m not ready to make predictions, I will say this: This team has great team chemistry, and that can go a long way.?
The Badgers open up Big Ten play at Northwestern March 29, and they open at Goodman Diamond April 2.