Head Coach Heather Bruder returns for her fourth season with the Beavers. Bruder enters the season with an overall record of 69-47 at Bluffton, including a 34-13 mark in the HCAC. She was named HCAC Coach of the Year following the 2008 season. Bruder will again be joined by second-year graduate assistant coach Paul Burnside.

Bruder stated that one of their goals for the year is to secure a berth in the NCAA Regionals. She stated, "We have been on the verge of qualifying, but have yet to put together a great post-season." The winner of the HCAC tournament receives an automatic bid into the NCAA Division III tournament. The Beavers fell just short last year as they placed third, while Defiance captured its second straight HCAC tournament title.

 

Although the Beavers finished the season with the best record in Bluffton history, Coach Bruder looks to be improved this year. "Our goals are to win, and to get better every game," noted Bruder. The Beavers plan to accomplish these goals through hard work, determination, passion and motivation. Bruder believes that the strengths of this years' team will be in pitching, and the ability to move the ball around offensively with power and speed. Improved defense as well as the growth and maturity of last year's freshmen have led to more confidence which will be evident on the diamond this spring.

 

The Beavers will have a couple big holes to fill both offensively and in the circle following the graduation of three seniors in 2009. The Beavers will be without second baseman Lindsey Miller who paced the team with a .458 batting average and a .687 slugging percentage. Miller was named first team HCAC last year after claiming the 2008 HCAC Player of the Year award for her efforts as a junior. Another big loss for the Beavers was Kellie Kenney, who was named second team HCAC. Kenney did the job both on the mound and at the plate, providing Bluffton with a top-notch hurler who led the Beavers on the field and in the dugout.

 

The Beavers will have a strong corps of returners to help fill in those holes left by the seniors. Bluffton will count on leadership from three-year starter and First Team All-HCAC performer BROOKE BABCOCK (Findlay). Babcock led the Beavers with 15 wins during the 2009 campaign. She also finished the season with a superb 1.89 ERA. Babcock is far from a one-dimensional threat as she was second on the team with five home runs while hitting .318 as a junior.

 

Bruder also believes that MEAGAN PRICE (Toledo/Springfield) will help take over a leadership role for the team. Bruder referred to Price as, "The battery of the team as she is always going, and always working defensively." Price, who started 38 games for the 2009 Beavers behind the plate, led the team in fielding percentage, and only allowed five passed balls for the season.

 

KRISTIN AGAUAS (Bloomfield, Mich./Andover) also returns to the circle for the Beavers. She wore many hats for Bluffton during her freshman campaign as she started, came on in relief and also closed games. JAYME MARBAUGH (Ohio City/Parkway), the Beavers' hard-hitting and slick-fielding third baseman, has the tools to finish her career as one of Bluffton's top offensive players in school history after she was voted first team HCAC for the 2009 season. Marbaugh led the team in runs scored (39), and was second to Miller in batting average at .385. CHELSIE OSBORNE (Chillicothe/Waverly) gives the Beavers great athleticism both in the field and at the plate. Osborne was one of the top hitters (.346) in the HCAC as a freshman who was named honorable mention last year.

 

The Beavers will also be looking for solid contributions from their new freshmen this season. Bruder believes that STEVIE CUTTITTA (Columbiaville, Mich./Clio) will help the Beavers on the mound right away. "She comes in as a pitcher who can start, relieve and close. She has the tools to be a very good pitcher." Another freshman standout is SHELBY WADE (Delaware/Buckeye Valley). Bruder stated, "She will be a starting outfielder, is quick on the bases and has a phenomenal glove. Wade also has a super personality and great work ethic."

 

When asked who which teams will be in the HCAC tournament mix this year, Bruder quipped, "Transylvania, who won the regular season conference title and knocked us out of the tournament 1-0, and Defiance have the talent to again compete for the top spot in the league." Defiance, who lost six seniors to graduation, won the HCAC tournament in 2009 and received the automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

 

The Beavers, who find themselves second in the HCAC coaches pre-season poll, will strive to follow the footsteps of the 2009 Bluffton University volleyball team by making the NCAA tournament. They also have their sights set on a second HCAC title in three years. Although they have been highly successful since Bruder took over, the fourth-year mentor stated, "We have never capped it off with a great post-season run, and that is what we want to change this year."

 

Bluffton starts off the season with a highly challenging schedule, as they travel to Florida for their first 10 games. Bruder is looking forward to a Florida trip that includes four nationally ranked teams, and four more regionally ranked teams during those first 10 contests. The Beavers will kick off the season in Kissimmee on March 8, using those contests to prepare for their Heartland Conference schedule.

 

Bluffton will return from Florida and begin their regular season on March 18 when they travel to Adrian College. The Beavers will open up at home on March 19 with Trine University, where they begin their second season on the new field. The early portion of Bluffton's schedule also includes a home doubleheader with Alma as the Beavers face off with the top three schools in the MIAA before delving into 12 straight conference games, starting with a doubleheader at Hanover College on Saturday, March 27, at 1 p.m. Also adding to Bluffton's schedule strength is an April 22 home meeting with 2009 National Division III tournament qualifier and local rival Ohio Northern.