Clarksville, Ark.-With another talented recruiting class, U of O Head Softball Coach Laurie Adkins has the program headed in the right direction and primed for a breakout season in 2015.
    
The 2015 roster includes 18 freshmen, one transfer and seven returning players. The uniqueness of so many freshmen presents both challenges and benefits, according to Adkins.
    
"It can become a roller coaster with freshmen, but on the other hand they are energetic and enthusiastic," said Adkins. "These freshmen are ready to compete. They know how to win and they come from successful programs. They have the vision and understand there is a great opportunity here. Motivation is not a problem because they are so competitive."
    
While the freshmen class lacks collegiate experience, Adkins isn't worried that the strong conference competition will be too much for the newcomers.
    
"They have tremendous experience playing at a high level previous to coming to Ozarks," she said. "They have experience in the nationally competitive softball arena. That type of experience will help counter some of our youth. In our fall games, we played mostly freshmen and came out with a 1-1 record, including a win against a NCAA Division I opponent."
    
With a large incoming class, this provides the Lady Eagles with more depth at each position, something Adkins is excited about.
    
"This is the most depth that I've had since I've been here," she said. "This is the first year that I've had numerous options at each position. My concern is that we will be younger than the other teams. We will just see how far our depth can get us this year."

Pitching in particular will receive a boost from its new players. But the staff does return junior All-Conference right-hander Haley McKee, who led the team with 121.2 innings pitched. 17 of her 20 starts were complete games.
    
"It always starts with pitching," said Adkins. "Haley is back. She may be more powerful this year than she was last year. We will throw freshmen Hannah Oler and Hailie Gilbert. Also, Abigail Mork will see plenty of time in the circle. Beyond that we have Tiffany Cartwright and Peyton Winkfein. We have options, we just need to see how we will build and who we will lean on. This is a staff that has more finesse than power. We have girls that throw a lot of speed variation."
    
Catching for the pitching staff will fall to a number of players.
    
"We are catcher rich this year," said Adkins. "In total, we have six pitchers and as many as seven catchers. Many of them will see time at two positions."
    
The outfield will see a slew of brand new starters. The infield will also have freshmen, but will be led by upperclassmen. Sophomore Kayla Gray returns after a strong freshman campaign. Gray, a second baseman, led the team in nearly every offensive category including batting average (.316), hits (36), RBI (17), doubles (8) and total bases (50). Senior Shawnee Sorensen is back at third base, while sophomores Krysten Shavers and Michelle Edmiston will see time in the lineup, too. Freshmen Beth Massey and Bethany Mason will battle for playing time at short stop.
    
Another advantage of a deeper team includes the potential of having more overall speed in the field and on the base paths. Adkins also is pleased with several players who provide more power at the plate.
    
"Our speed is better than we've had, and we can mix in some power in the lineup, too," she said. "Bethany Mason hits from the left side and is speedy. She loves to get to the next base. Madison Cluck is fast. Kaley Coppock and Laken Gray bring us power."
   
Adkins believes her freshmen class understands the process of building the program the right way.
    
"Our freshmen see the opportunity to build," she said. "They have bought into the fact that they have a great opportunity to change things up. I think the freshmen have it in their hands as to how far we will go. And, we have been working on emphasizing to the girls it is more important what you do in the dugout than on the field."   
    
Ozarks finished the 2014 season with a 3-37 overall record and a 2-31 mark in the American Southwest Conference.
    
The Lady Eagles will open the season on the road against Concordia University Texas in conference action February 13-14.