The 2015 Park University Woman’s Softball team is looking to build off their 37-win campaign in 2014. With a returning roster containing two members of the AMC All-Conference first team and two honorably mentioned players.

With their season set to kick-off with a trip to Georgia Thursday, Feb. 26, the Pirates will be tested early with matchups set against No. 1 ranked Auburn University-Montgomery and No. 7 Louisiana State University-Alexandria.

Leading the way for the Pirates in 2015 will be their two 2014 all-conference stars Junior Pitcher Allie Reynolds, who is from Edna, Kan., and Senior Third Basemen Emilee Vance, of Wellsville, Kan.

Reynolds dominated last season posting a 17-2 win-loss record, along with 93 punch-outs and a 1.85 ERA in 121.1 innings.

Vance posted equally impressive numbers, hitting for a .354 average with 33 RBI’s and 18 extra base hits with five being home runs.

Along with Reynolds and Vance, Senior Callie Beaver, of Webb City, Mo.; Junior Kelli Wenberg, Warsaw, Mo.; and Sophomores Brittanie Willard, Gardner, Kan., and Brooke Kunkel, Platte City, Mo.; will be key contributors to the Pirates in 2015.

The Pirates ended the season with a third place finish in last season AMC conference tournament, while peaking at 17^th spot on the top 20 National NAIA rankings.

With improvement on their minds, the Pirates are determined to better their impressive play from last year with conference and national championship hopes running high.

“We think we’re capable of achieving our goals,” Vance said. “I think all the seniors really want to get as far as we can go. We’ve been focused as a team, our practices have been very focused and we’ve been working hard. We are a goal oriented group and I think it will make a big difference in making us successful.”

With many new additions to last season’s team and only three freshmen on the roster this year, the team has made strides in the offseason.

“There were a lot more incoming freshman last year,” Reynolds said. “I think this year, with more upper-classmen we’ve developed better routines and I think that’s made things a lot smoother around practices and workouts.”

With a boatload of leadership on a mature roster, the Pirates hope that their experience will work to their advantage throughout the season.

“It will definitely help having the experience we have,” Reynolds said. “Some of our older girls were transfers from last year and with six seniors on the team in their final season, I think we’ll be hungry and determined for a championship this year.”

Although a very talented group, the girls intend on keeping a loose atmosphere around the field this season, hoping that team-building and comradely will play big roles in their hopeful success.

“I think things like our ‘themed Friday’s have been great for team bonding,” Reynolds said. “We’re a fun group of gals and I think that if we’re having fun and bonding well and it can transfer to a high level of play on the field.”