HUNTINGDON, Pa. – Predictions are one thing but actual performance is entirely different. The Juniata softball team is predicted to finish last in the Landmark Conference but third-year head coach Sam Kszepka certainly doesn't see it ending that way.

"In my first year, we were picked last and ended up making the tournament so we are definitely looking to do that this year and surprise some conference opponents," said Kszepka. "It is our outlook to sneak up and prove some people wrong. I would rather be in that position then anywhere else."

The Eagles have five freshmen joining the squad and a total of eight newcomers. Kszepka said she is focused on keeping them healthy and fresh and cites depth as a key factor in how the team performs. She acknowledges that there will be a learning curve with the new players and getting experience will help them.

Pitcher

The Eagles will have a young pitching staff this season with only junior Holly Bettinger (Hummelstown, PA/Lower Dauphin) having seen time on the mound last season. Bettinger made 10 appearances in 2014 and had five starts.

"Holly has worked really hard over the offseason to get her pitches to move and to focus on picking up a couple MPH," noted Kszepka. "As long as she stays mentally tough, she should be able to keep some hitters off-balance."

Fellow junior Brooke Walls (Mifflinburg, PA/Mifflinburg) will see time on the bump along with freshman Chrisi Lerchen (Annville, PA/Annville-Cleona). "Brooke has some deceiving movement," said Kszepka. "She has a wicked changeup that has thrown our batters off. Chrisi is the hardest of the throwers and with her being so young, we really have to build her up mentally and try to keep her to stay focused in games." 

Catcher

Two freshmen will look to share time behind the plate in Alicia Regnault (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater Raritan) and Natalya Sizdahkhani (Gaithersburg, MD/Quince Orchard). "Alicia is a very vocal catcher which is awesome because that is what I look for in a catcher and Natalya is more mechanically sound," remarked Kszepka. "Each one brings different things to the game."

Infield

At first base, the veteran Bettinger will be there on days she is not pitching. She has the most experience and sported a .981 fielding percentage last season to go along with 188 putouts to lead Juniata. Paige Dennison (East Berlin, PA/Bermudian Springs) will man the position on days when Bettinger takes the mound.  

Allie Baney (State College, Pa./State College Area) is the most experienced at second base. Baney played every game in 2014 and had the second-most assists on the team with 72. Also factoring in will be Sizdahkhani, Dennison, and Lerchen.

Manning the hot corner at third base is sophomore Lindsey Kosicki (Patton, Pa./Cambria Heights). As a freshman, she logged 32 games and had a team-high 76 assists. New players Kerigan Ammerman (Alexandria, PA/Juniata Valley) and Kassie Tafolla (Donna, TX/IDEA College Prep) will also see time there. Shortstop will be split between Ammerman and Lerchen.

Outfield

Returning to patrol center field is senior Katie Schroeder (Kempton, Pa./Kutztown). Schroeder started in all 34 games she appeared in last year, finishing with a team-high .525 slugging percentage and second in batting average (.323) and hits (32). 

"Katie is the true epitome of a senior leader," said Kszepka.  "She does a great job of keeping not just the outfield but the entire team focused."

Brooke Ridenour (Thurmont, MD/Catoctin) will be in left field and can go from both sides of the plate and has awesome speed says Kszepka. Walls will play in right field on her off days from pitching. Yasmine Naama (Cambridge, MA/Prospect Hill Academy), Nicole Purcell (Mount Carmel, PA/Mount Carmel Area), and Regnault will also see time.

Utility

Sophomore Dennison fits the bill.  In her first year with the squad last season, she led the team in hits (37), walks (14), batting average (.385), and multiple hit games (11). Denison was fourth in RBI (10), second in runs scored (18), and in doubles (6).

Schedule

Juniata starts its 2015 season down in Clermont, FL this Sunday with games against St. Mary's (Ind.) and Fitchburg State. Among the biggest tests will be against Stockton College on March 11 in Winter Haven. The Ospreys went 26-16 last season and won the ECAC Metro Championship. "I'm looking for us to be more competitive this year with more teams like us to help get us in the grove and ready for conference play," stated Kszepka.

The Eagles return from Florida and will open at home against Eastern Mennonite on March 18. Their Landmark slate begins on March 21 with a doubleheader against Susquehanna.