EVANSVILLE, Ind. – With the start of the 2019 season just a few days away for the University of Evansville softball team, head coach Mat Mundell previewed his squad as they wrap up their preseason preparations.
 
"Coming into this season, we are definitely really excited," Mundell said.  "We lost one player but added seven so we have some depth and a great amount of talent.  We were so close in so many games last year, we feel we have the weapons to account for some of those close losses."
 
Inside the circle, the Purple Aces return one of the top pitchers in the nation in Morgan Florey.  Last season, Florey was third in the NCAA with 10.6 strikeouts per seven innings.  Mundell is excited about what her return means to the team as well as the others around her.
 
"It is great to have Morgan back for one last run; she has done a tremendous job for us.  We have two more seniors – Ashleigh Downing and Emily Lockhart.  They bring experience in the circle, all three seniors have different styles.  Jaime Nurrenbern is back for her sophomore season; she got great experience and did well for us as a freshman last year.  We add two newcomers – Izzy Vetter – she is a really talented freshman and Hannah Shirley, who is a junior transfer and Evansville native."
 
UE's infield remains young with three sophomores having gained experience in 2018.  Lindsay Renneisen started all 49 games last season, primarily at shortstop, while Allison Daggett and Elyse Hickey also spent time in the infield.  Senior McKenzie Johnson is back at third base for her senior campaign.
 
"We're really young in the infield.  We have some good sophomores coming back; Lindsay played shortstop for whole year, Elyse saw time at first and Daggett played a lot at second base," Mundell said. "We brought in transfer Halie Fain and freshman Jessica Fehr.  McKenzie Johnson is back for her senior year at third base." 
 
"At first base, we have a few different options with Haley Woolf and possibly Eryn Gould seeing some time there.  We're also excited to have Bailee (Bostic) back as our senior catcher."
 
The lone loss for the Aces came in the outfield with Brittany Hay graduating.  Anchoring this year's squad is reigning MVC Freshman of the Year Eryn Gould.  Evansville's top hitter last year batted .377 with four home runs and 17 RBI. 
 
"I am excited about out outfield, we have lots of speed and athleticism," Mundell exclaimed.  "Eryn played right field last season and we have other talented sophomores Mea Adams and Toni Galas who will help us out.  We brought in transfer Katie McLean and freshman Mackenzie McFeron while out seniors Kristin Koepke and Olivia Cheatham will give us a lot of depth."
 
A competitive non-conference slate will put the Aces to the test early on.  Five weekends of action will lead up to the MVC slate, which begins on March 16.  This weekend, UE opens at the Total Control Sports Invitational, which will be played indoors in Rosemont, Ill.
 
"Playing in a dome this weekend is something we have never done before.  It will be great for our team; we have lots of kids from the Chicago area, so they will be able to play close to home," Mundell said.  "February is always on the road for us.  We are heading south to warmer weather and will play some really good teams and see what we are made of.  It will get us ready for the competitive MVC."
 

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