Click HERE to watch Head Coach Amy Cope and senior short stop Cailin Simpson preview the season.

CLARMORE, Okla. – The 2015 Rogers State softball team returns a bulk of its infield with three seniors in the starting lineup but must replace three departed seniors from the outfield heading into its second season as a member of the NCAA Division II Heartland Conference.
 
INFIELDERS
The Hillcats' infield will be one of the most experienced groups they have ever had with returning seniors likely covering three of the four positions and several others adding experience at the collegiate level competing for time on the diamond.
 
"I think it is very important for us to have our infield solidified within the first couple weeks of our season. Not only that, but having a few returners in the infield that know the system, know how we want to play defense, and know how we want to do things; that's very important to what we are wanting to do," second-year head coach Amy Cope said.
 
After suffering a season-ending injury in the second week of the 2014 campaign, senior Toni Shurtliff will make her return to the lineup manning first base for the Cats in 2015. Katlin Alexander joins the mix as an offensive threat looking to insert some power for RSU, transferring from Paris Junior College.
 
"At first base, we've got Toni back as she gained her medical redshirt last year after getting hurt early in the season and we've also got Katlin. She is going to be a big stick in the middle of our lineup," Cope stated.
 
The starting spot at second base comes down to a battle between a pair of newcomers with Maggie McBrayer and Taylor Sutterfield each coming to the Hill from local junior colleges ready to make an impact in the lineup.
 
"Maggie is also going to be a big stick in our lineup. She did some great offensive things at Western Oklahoma State," Cope commented. "Then we have Taylor coming from Northern Oklahoma-Tonkawa. I look for Maggie to do most of the work at second but Taylor; you can't count her out either."
 
The longest-tenured player on the RSU roster in 2015, Cailin Simpson, enters her third season with the Hillcats having started 104 games, including all 53 last season. The Riverside, California native will stay in a spot where she closed last year, covering the left-half of the middle infield.
 
Carley Conley started 52 of 53 games in her first season with the Softball Cats a year ago and will make the transition to cover the hot corner at third base. Conley played primarily at shortstop in 2014 but also saw action at second showing her versatility for Coach Cope while adding pop to the batting order, posting a.287 average and a team-leading 10 doubles.
 
"Cailin played multiple positions for us last year in the infield but I look for her to hold it down in the middle of the diamond for us. Of course, we have Carley, who can play short and second as well, but we look at her to do most of the work at third base. She has great hands and got multiple positions under her belt in her season last year with us so look for her to be a seasoned infielder," Cope added.
 
Coach Cope will rely heavily on the core senior group in the infield to provide leadership as the Hillcats continue to make a name for themselves in the Heartland Conference and NCAA Division II.
 
"Our infield is full of mostly seniors and we have two other upperclassmen on the corners," Cope boasted. "We have a freshman as well, Stephanie Schivally that could be playing one of our corners. It's very important for our seniors to continue laying the foundation of what we want to build and leave their legacy."
 
OUTFIELDERS
The Hillcats will have a new look in the outfield after all three starters from the 2014 squad departed after graduation, leaving opportunities for a fresh group to step in and fill those roles.
 
"Replacing the three seniors that we lost in the outfield will definitely be hard," Cope remarked. "In left field, we've got Chelsie Drew, who comes to us from Connors State College. Last year, I think she led the team in home runs. She is going to be a huge stick for us. She's got quickness, she's got speed, and she has a great arm, so I look for her to do really good things."
 
Ashleigh Stidman jumps into the lineup from Sierra College in Rocklin, California where she was a first-team all-state and all-conference selection for the Wolverines. She will take a starting role for the Hillcats following a breakout 2014 season that saw her post a .441 batting average leading the team to conference, regional, and super regional championships.
 
"Ashleigh led their team last year offensively and was a numerous award winner in the Big 8 (Conference). She is going to be our everyday center fielder," Cope said.
 
RSU will welcome another transfer to the outfield mix as Malori Moss comes in for her junior campaign after playing at Western Oklahoma State.
 
"I look for (Malori) to hit three or four hole for us. She has a great arm over the top," Cope stated.
 
Two other players also transferred to the Hill and will push for time in the outfield as Bailey Spencer and Randye Sharp will don the navy and red in 2015.
 
"Bailey can hit as well so I look for her to split some time with Chelsie. Randye is very quick and can get to the ball. I look for her to be a defensive replacement as well," Cope added.
 
SCHEDULE
The Hillcats have 56 games on the docket for the 2015 campaign with 24 of those scheduled for Heartland Conference matchups. RSU opens its season on the road in Lawton, Oklahoma at Cameron February 10 before its home opener against Bacone the following week for a doubleheader February 17. The Hillcats then take their talents to the Northeastern State Softball Festival where five games are slated for February 20-22.
 
"Our 2015 schedule is looking really good. I tried to add a lot more home games to our schedule so we are not traveling. It is always a lot easier to play at home," Cope said.
 
A return series with Northwestern Oklahoma State at the Diamond Sports Complex prepares the team for the Heartland Conference opener closing February at perennial power St. Mary's. RSU will play most of March at home where an 11-game homestand is scheduled during an 11-day stretch, including a doubleheader with 2013 NCAA Division II national champion Central Oklahoma, but that trend reverses in April as the Cats are away from home for 10-straight games. The season closes with the final four games in Claremore against Oklahoma City (April 25) and Southwest Baptist (April 28).
 
"We open up our conference play with St. Mary's," Cope stated. "Obviously, they are a great team. It's never easy to go on the road and win, especially in conference. That's something I look forward to. We will definitely get to see where we are in the conference and where we stand. Our road conference trips are not backed up like we were at the beginning of the season last year. I think that gives us a better chance to win everywhere we go."
 
The 2015 season gets underway away from home Tuesday with the first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. at Cameron. The Aggies reached the NCAA Division II Regionals in 2014 and will provide a tough test in the opener for both teams.