(Lebanon, Ill., Feb. 6) – The McKendree University softball team will head south this weekend to kick off the 2018 season in Huntsville, Alabama at the Charger Chillout 2.0 hosted by the University of Alabama-Huntsville.

The Bearcats are scheduled to play six games over the weekend opening play on Friday against Kentucky Wesleyan College at Noon. At 2 p.m. the team takes on Mississippie College and Georgia Southwestern State at 6 p.m. The weekend continues Saturday where the team is slated to play one game with a time an opponent to be announced. The weekend concludes on Sunday as McKendree travels to the University of North Alabama for a doubleheader with game one starting at 10 a.m.

The 2017 season marks the third year that the Bearcats will be under the helm of head coach Ashley Fleming. Fleming led the Bearcats to a 32-21 overall and 16-10 mark in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) last season winning two GLVC Tournament games.

"I am very excited to get this season underway, as we have a group of student-athletes who I believe are going to continue to take this program to the next level," said Fleming. "Coming off of a great run in the conference tournament last season, I believe the team has the skills, confidence and drive to have a successful 2018 season. Our goals are to continue to climb to the top of the GLVC and make the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history this year."

Infielders
Shortstop Caitlyn Lowry (St. Louis, MO/Notre Dame) and catcher Rebecca Franke (Trenton, Ill./Wesclin) who played nearly every inning last season will lead the Bearcat infield this season. "Franke brings the leadership we need behind the plate, and Lowry is a solid defender who I believe is going to have a breakout year this season at the plate," said Fleming.

Haegen Boyer (Eddyville, IA/Eddyville), Paige Hayden (Independence, MO/Fort Osage) and Konnor Arrowood (Fulton, MO/South Callaway) are new faces who will be looking to make an impact in their freshman season for the Bearcats. "Haegen brings so much to the table in her speed, power and versatility on the infield. Paige brings consistency at first base, and we look for her bat to be in the middle of the lineup. Konnor will be in our pitching rotation, but when she is not on the mound, she will play innings at third base as she has tremendous power that will be key to our lineup."

Sara Radae (Edwardsville, Ill./Edwardsville) and Tylin Stephens (Blue Springs, Mo./Blue Springs) will see innings at second base depending on the pitching rotation for games.

Outfielders
Abbie Bailey (Tinley Park, IL/Andrew) will transition from third base to patrol centerfield this season. "After suffering an injury last season, she is back stronger than ever and will lead our offensive attack at the top of the order," said Fleming. "We have several other players with the potential to win the other two outfield positions in Shelby Summer (Washington, IL/Washington), Hannah Murphy (O'Fallon, MO/Fort Zumwalt North), Miranda Gajewski (Kronenwetter, WI/D.C. Everest), Sara Radae (Edwardsville, Ill./Edwardsville) and Megan Radae (Edwardsville, Ill./Edwardsville). It will all come down to who is most consistent at the plate with those positions."

Pitchers
"I am very excited about the depth of our pitching staff this year," Said Fleming. The team returns Kylee Silliman (Fremont, IA/Oskaloosa) who posted a 13-7 record in her freshman campaign, relief pitcher Hannah Murphy (O'Fallon, MO/Fort Zumwalt North) who made 15 appearances last season, and closer Maci Ingram (Woodlawn, Ill./Nashville Community) who tallied seven saves for the Bearcats. "We look to Silliman's leadership to guide the rest of the staff this season. In addition, we have added three freshmen in Konnor Arrowood (Fulton, MO/South Callaway), Miranda Gajewski (Kronenwetter, WI/D.C. Everest) and Gretchen Witter (Mt. Vernon, IL/Waltonville) to the pitching staff. Gretchen will look to get some relief innings, and Konnor and Miranda have the potential to really give us quality innings, consistency, and the potential to beat a lot of great teams this season."