After last year’s 7-45 record, the St. Edward’s softball team is hoping to have a turnaround season with experienced head coach, Meghan Mullin, at the helm.

Mullin is focused on collecting more wins this season, as she begins her third year as head coach and seventh year with SEU. With a strong group of newcomers and 12 returning players from the 2018 roster, the team should be filled with variability and talent.

Although, the team is coming off a losing season and finished last in the Heartland Conference, the Hilltoppers are not weary about the past; Instead they are focused on their goals for the upcoming season.

Ready to bounce back, they used the offseason to focus on their cohesiveness and mental game. Kathryn Conley sees improvement in the team’s unity, as she describes her teammates as her biggest motivators. Coming off a second-team Heartland Conference selection can be honorable, however, she has personal goals that go beyond individual success this season.

“Our attitude on the field, I mean, if we get down on a few runs, there is always someone there next to me picking me up,” Conley said. “In the offseason we focused on our mentality and it has definitely gotten stronger. We’ve gotten a lot more headstrong and a lot more positive and it’s definitely going to get the team through a lot of games this year. ”

Mullin is enthusiastic about this years’ players as a collective unit and she expects every member to contribute to the team’s success. Excited about the team’s ability as a whole, , she states that defense should be a defining strength of the team, as they continue to enhance their team work.

“Our strength will be our defense and having all the pieces and putting them together is going to be super exciting for us,” Mullin said. “I 100 percent believe that every single player will have a significant impact and I expect us to compete really well, significantly better than last year. We have a lot of maturity and experience with the returners.”

As preseason progresses senior infielder Lauren Garza is projected to be a standout player as both a defensive and offensive asset. Mullin describes the senior as a fierce competitor and team player. Garza gives much credit to the strong newcomer line-up and recognizes her senior season as one revolving around playing with everything she’s got.

“I think we’ve really progressed with our hitting especially with the transfers. They bring a lot more power to our lineup. I’m hoping that we can move forward in a positive direction and stay on the sam page the entire season,” Garza said. “However, for myself, staying consistent, leaving it all out on the field and leading by example to try to leave a lasting impact on this team.”

The Hilltoppers (2-4) will continue to develop team chemistry and a cohesive play style in their preseason run as they travel to Utah to play from Feb. 15-17.