The Kirkwood Communique's Darrin Cline reports on the upcoming 2010 Eagle softball team.Three All-Americans will lead the Kirkwood softball team into its 2010 campaign. 

Pitcher Kylee Knop, outfielder Carlie Schnoeblen and catcher Chelsea Parrish headline a roster that is aiming to improve on a 41-10 record in 2009. 

"We are looking for a lot of leadership from our sophomore players. They had great success last year and we hope they can bring that to this team," said Eagle head coach Joe Yegge, who is heading into his third season at the helm.

Alongside the three All-Americans, the Eagles return sophomores Asyah Moore, Heather Moore, Second Team All-Region pitcher Jamie Davis and First Team All-Region shortstop Molly Link.

Kirkwood will also welcome in a strong group of freshman.  Nine new players will join the lineup, highlighted by former First Team Iowa All-State selections pitcher Shelby Dougherty and outfielder Brandee Bohr. 

Strong pitching will be the calling card for the Eagle women this spring, according to Yegge.  Knop, 22-5 with a 1.27 ERA, and Davis, 10-3 with a 1.3 ERA last season, will be joined by Dougherty and fellow freshman Amanda Lambrecht to form a dynamic pitching threat.

Kirkwood enters this season ranked No. 13 in the National Junior College Athletic Association pre-season poll.  Region 11 foe Iowa Central ranks sixth and looks to be the favorite for the regional title.

With snow blanketing the landscape, the team has been relegated to indoor practices. But that has not stopped players from honing their skills.

"We are having daily practices and working on keeping our players focused and in shape.  We have been drilling the fundamentals," Yegge said.

The players also feel that they are showing dedication and progress.

"We feel like we work harder and put in more hours than most other teams," Schnoeblen said.

The Eagle softball season gets under way March 6 and 7 in Rochester, Minn., followed by trips to Burlington, Missouri and Illinois before hosting their first home game on March 24 against John Wood Community College.

"Our players are anxious go get out and play some ball against some new competition," Yegge said.