This Saturday, the Wheaton softball teams kicks off a brand new season from Kissimmee, Florida, with a doubleheader against both Skidmore and Simpson, the first of five pairs of back-to-backs in Florida before the team travels back to Norton.

From there, the Lyons play before their home crowd in a doubleheader against Bridgewater State on March 19, and a doubleheader against Lesley on March 22. For those new to college softball, you’ll find a schedule filled with back-to-back games, which can do a number on the typically smaller-sized pitching staffs, compared to what you see in baseball.

Allie Baker ’14, who has logged at least 160 innings in each of her first two seasons, leads the Lyons staff. Last season she ranked eighth in the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) with a 2.65 ERA. Her innings counts have also ranked her second amongst all NEWMAC pitchers each season.

Baker was honored by being selected to the NEWMAC Academic All-Conference Team, which recognizes varsity athletes with at least a cumulative 3.50 GPA after the Fall 2011 semester, while also attending for at least one full year prior.

Classmate Jenna Rocha ’14 can be expected to provide some pop in the lineup, as she led the Lyons with a massive .357/.459/.628 slash line (batting average/on-base percentage/slugging percentage) along with eight home runs, 22 runs batted in and a solid 26-22 strikeout to walk ratio.

In the last three seasons combined, Wheaton has an overall 59-59 record. This season, look for the team to turn the tide, as they set their sights on a run deep into the heart of the NEWMAC.