The Roanoke College softball program is getting back in the swing of it in the 2014 season. We finished the season with an overall record of 31-14 and went 15-5 in Old Dominion Athletic Conference play.

Last Spring's Success
Despite not winning the ODAC Championship in 2013, we had been consistently ranked in the NFCA Top-25 during the season, and still earned a bid to the 2013 NCAA Regional Championships, held here in Salem, VA. We went, 1-2 during the Regional matchups, and were knocked out of the tournament by a #4 ranked Emory University. But, we are back in 2014 and ready to take our third straight trip to the NCAA Tournament.

About our Returners
We're returning two of our four All-ODAC players from last year, Kelly Higbie and Stephanie Clark. Higbie, now a junior, is a two-time All-ODAC selection. She ranks in the top-five all-time in nine different statistical categories including: wins, games started, complete games, innings pitched and shutouts. Kelly finished the season with a 2.42 ERA with a record of 16-8. She pitched 14 complete games, tossed 86 strikeouts and played in 30 games.

Clark also picked up her second All-ODAC nomination last year. Stephanie had the fourth highest batting average on the squad last year, hitting .308. She played in all 43 games for us and scored 22 runs off of 41 hits. She tied for the most home-runs on the team with another returner, Alexis Roop. Stephanie led the team in RBIs knocking in an astounding 43 batters. She also played in the circle for us, pitching in 23 games with an ERA of 4.00. She finished the season with a record of 12-4, with 63 strikeouts.

Rhea Schleicher is also a returning starter for us this year. Rhea had the third highest batting average on the team, hitting .318. She played in 38 games tallying 26 runs and 11 RBIs.

New Home for RC Softball in a familiar place- Moyer Field 4!
After 16 years of a successful program, including 8 ODAC Championships, 9 NCAA Tournaments, and 3 NCAA World Series Appearances, the RC Softball Team FINALLY has a field of its own!!! The new home of RC Softball will be Field 4 at the Moyer Sports Complex. I know you can all relate to how much of an impact this will make to the current and future players!

RC Softball Field Signage Project
The Maroon Club is working to raise funds to contribute to the new field. The goal is to raise enough funds by the end of February to display the signage of our program's accomplishments on Field 4, as well throw a tailgate as well as a reception for the alumni, alumni parents, current players, current parents, coaches, etc. behind the Moyer Sports Complex on Saturday, March 29th, when RC plays a big non-conference doubleheader vs. nationally ranked Emory.

The first game is at 11am with the presentation of the signage scheduled for in-between games (roughly a 12:30pm start). The Maroon Club wants to bring all of the alumni and individuals who contribute to this project out to the field to recognize our contributions to the program. Last, but not least, the reception will follow the second game.

If you are interested in making this long awaited dream come true for your program, become a Maroon Club member and make a contribution to the program which gave you so many great memories and experiences. Contributions can be made online at http://www.roanoke.edu/secure/donations/donate.cfm?sports. If you have any questions, please contact Assistant AD for External Relations Brad Moore at 540-375-2344 or moore@roanoke.edu. Help us make this dream a reality, give today!

About our 2014 Schedule
We start our season with a series of away games, all the way through March the first. During that time, we will play in the Triangle Classic in Raleigh, NC, as well as the Beach Blast Tournament in Virginia Beach. In both tournaments, we will face off against Salisbury University, who finished the 2013 ranked #2 in the NFCA top-25. They are coming off of their fifth straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

On March 7-8, we will host the Roanoke College Softball Bash, where we will take on Penn State Altoona, Mount Aloysius College and La Roche College. After that we head back on the road to open our ODAC play against Guilford College on March 12^th. Just three days later we will head to Newport News to play against Christopher Newport who finished the season ranked #20 in the NFCA Poll. CNU also advanced to the NCAA Regionals in Salem last year.

We have our ODAC home opener against Eastern Mennonite University on Wednesday, March 26. Alumni Weekend we host Randolph College, April 12, and our archrival Lynchburg College, April 13. Come on out and make some noise as two of the top teams go head to head in a game that may lead to an ODAC champion.

On April 18^th, we travel to Norfolk to play Virginia Wesleyan in a double header. Wesleyan was ranked #11 in the final NFCA poll, falling in the final game of the NCAA Regionals. As always, the ODAC Tournament will be hosted at our home field, the Moyer Complex in Salem. We look forward to the ODAC Tournament again, and having everyone cheer us on at home.

I look forward to seeing everyone in this spring! Stay warm!