Softball season is almost upon us. The team’s first game is just over a week away at the St. Cloud Dome Invitational in Minnesota on Feb. 20.

This season is looking bright for the ‘Cats, who took fourth place in conference last season. They return eight of their position starters and all of their pitching staff.

Not only have they kept the majority of their talented players, but the program has also brought in four freshmen, Brooke French, Rachel Shumaker, Katelyn Wobken, Jalyn Zeiss, and one transfer, Caitlin Fehringer. These five newcomers are coming in with the passion and skills to play with the Wildcats in nearly any position on the field necessary.

In the results of the 2015 Northern Sun Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll, returners Kati Williams and Sara Scheffert were selected as Wayne State Players to Watch in the NSIC this season.

Scheffert, a senior pitcher, was also selected for First Team All-NSIC last season with an 18-13 record and a 2.74 ERA. She was also ranked sixth in the NSIC in innings pitched (181.2) and was ninth in ERA.

“It feels great being selected as a Player to Watch, but I think everyone on our team deserves to be a Player to Watch,” Scheffert said. “We all have the ability and talent, with a solid defense and a strong hitting line up. Having all that together, we have what it takes to place first in conference.”

Williams, who is a senior outfielder, led last year’s team in hitting with a .440 average, along with 10 homers and 45 RBI’s. She placed First Team All-NSIC and Second Team NFCA/Daktronics All-Central Region honors for the Wildcats last season.

After having such titles placed on you, you would think that there would be a big target on your back to do well during the season, but that isn’t what Williams believes.

“Being selected as a Player to Watch doesn’t make me feel pressured. That kind of stuff doesn’t matter to me,” Williams said. “I’m only concerned about playing the best I can for my team.

“Preseason picks don’t mean much–it’s what you do when the season starts that counts. Plus, it’s not about me or Sara, it’s about the team and I think we are the team to watch this season,” Williams said.

Besides Scheffert, the other three returning pitchers, along with junior Shelby Wobken, who has come out of retirement and returned to pitching, are improving every day.

The other senior pitcher, Kelcie Bormann, is very excited for her last season as a Wildcat.

“I can’t wait to make this season our best one yet,” Borman said. “We have all been working hard during practice and I have no doubt in my mind that we will go far.”