The 2015 Wilmington College softball team will have a completely different look from previous teams under the tutelage of Beth Floyd. Gone are eight seniors, including two first-team All-Ohio Athletic Conference honorees.

However, it doesn't distinguish Floyd's enthusiasm about the upcoming season. 

"I am very excited about our team this year," Floyd said. "They have a lot of team chemistry and work real well together. We are going to bring a different look than we have brought in the last two years."

The biggest difference comes from the lineup as the Fightin' Quakers will be less reliant on the big swing with the graduation of all 19 of the team's homeruns – including nine from Catlin Shilling. The first-team third baseman leaves a huge hole in the middle. 

Shilling left WC as the program's all-time leader in doubles, homeruns and RBIs.

"Not having Catlin, Kaylee Cox and Olivia Hutchison in our lineup takes some power away," said Floyd. "We lost some power hitters to graduation, and that is where we are going to look different. We are going to have a different approach. We are not going to be as powerful, but we will be a lot faster."

While all of the power may have graduated, Wilmington has some bat yielding talent. Sophomore Sydney Kelly (Cincinnati, OH/Sycamore) showed flashes of power ability, while freshman Emily Smith (Bellbrook, OH/Bellbrook) will supply some pop in the lineup. 

Speed will permeate the Wilmington lineup, however, led by junior Megan Warren (Grove City, OH/Grove City). The outfielder, who was named 2014 All-OAC, adjusted to the leadoff position nicely. She had an on-base percentage of .331; and was second on the team with 21 runs scored. Her seven doubles were also second on the team. 

"Megan has great speed as a centerfielder and on the base paths," said Floyd. "She kind of sets the tone for our team in that sense. She is everything you want in a leadoff hitter. She has a high on-base percentage, hits for average and has a little pop. She just does a tremendous job, and is really truly your definition of a leadoff hitter. Last year in the leadoff position, she really got better and better as she got more comfortable in that spot of the lineup."

Freshmen Whitney Edwards (Frankfort, KY/Franklin County), Sawyer Hooper (Leesburg, OH/Wilmington), Savannah Hooper (Leesburg, OH/Wilmington) are all speedsters.

"With speed comes a lot of enthusiasm about the season," said Floyd. "We are going to create a lot of pressure on defense, and I really like that approach to the game. We won't always have to come up with a solid line drive in the gap, our speed is going to allow us to make things happen on an ordinary ground ball."

OUTFIELD

Along with Warren, left-handed slapper Allie Noggle (Ashville, OH/Teays Valley) moves back to the outfield after playing second base the last two seasons. It could result in better output at the plate. She hit a career-high .333 as an outfielder during her freshman season. Last season, Noggle – a senior – finished the 2014 season hitting .265.

"Allie is naturally an outfielder, and I appreciate what she has done in the last couple of years," said Floyd. "She has put the team first, and played a lot of infield for us. She is at home in the grass, as she would like to tell me, and she just thrives out there. I expect her to have a stellar offensive season now that she is back out there."

The third outfield position will be a dogfight, and could be a revolving door, depending on who is producing offensively at the time. 

Sophomore Olivia Bauer (Williard, OH/Williard), another speedster, is the lone returner in the mix. She the bulk of her playing time as a pinch runner, Bauer finished the season with seven runs scored. 

Savannah Hooper, Sawyer Hooper, freshman Chandler Fields (Delaware, OH/Rutherford B. Hayes) and freshman Bailey Finch (Waterville, OH/Anthony Wayne) will all compete.

"It's a great defensive outfield," said Floyd. "We have several players who can play out there, and we don't miss a beat. They have great range, strong arms. Megan and Allie will be the experience that we need to lead the younger players. We have a lot of talented kids that can play out there."

INFIELD

The infield will have almost a completely different look, as three of the four positions will feature new starters. Sophomore Ashley McCray (Vandalia, OH/Butler) is the only returner. She hit just .185 as a freshman, playing in all 35 games, and will be pushed by Smith.

The task of replacing Shilling will fall upon either senior Jess Clutter (Englewood, OH/Northmont) or junior Jessie Stewart (Fredricktown, Highland). Stewart, who struggled with injuries, has been the heir apparent since arriving on campus, lacks some experience. She has two hits in 13 career at-bats.

Meanwhile, Clutter moves to the field after an injury has forced her out the circle. 

" We have a lot of options at first and third, and it's a great problem to have," said Floyd. "I expect big things out of our corners, not only defensively, but offensively. We have a lot of bats, so who is hitting will be out on defense."

The duo of sophomore shortstop Kerrie Trautman (Hartville, OH/Field) and second baseman Edwards to keep Wilmington stout up the middle. Trautman, who split her time between pitching and right field, will spend the vast majority of her innings at shortstop. Last season, she hit .247 in 73 plate appearances. 

Floyd said Trautman is a "great athlete with a high softball IQ", while she expect "gold glove caliber" play from Edwards at second. 

PITCHING

Quite possibly the biggest question mark for Wilmington heading into the season comes in the circle following the graduation of 2014 OAC Pitcher of the Year Danielle Monnier. She leaves with every Wilmington pitching record, season and career.

"You don't replace someone of her caliber overnight," said Floyd. "You just start with someone else's legacy. Danielle will always have a huge impact on Wilmington College softball, and you don't replace that. You bring in players and help them develop their skills, and build their legacy."

Not only does Wilmington lose Monnier to graduation, Clutter's injury prevents her from pitching and Trautman moves to the infield. 

Senior Sarah Maraan (Cincinnati, OH/McAuley) is the only pitcher with collegiate experience, hurling 14.2 innings a season ago. She finished with a 7.16 ERA, but posted five scoreless outings last year.

Freshmen Beth Persicano (Knoxville, TN/Cincinnati Turpin) and Becca Carpenter (South Charleston, OH/Southeastern) will get plenty of opportunities to amass innings as the season progresses. Look for freshman Caitlin Mathews (Dayton, OH/Chaminade Julienne) to also find innings. 

"We are going to have a very young pitching staff," said Floyd. "Even though they are young, they are talented, and I am very excited about not only this year – but the future. We are going to rely on some experience from Sarah Maraan and Jess Clutter. They will be good leaders for our young pitchers and help them progress throughout the season."

CATCHERS

Wilmington also loses its primary catcher from last season, Olivia Hutchison, and will turn to some inexperience.

"I am very excited about our catchers," said Floyd. "They all work extremely well, and have worked all year in developing chemistry with the pitchers. They have been extremely vital in the development of the pitchers."

Junior Hillary Daria-White (Felicity, OH/Felicity Franklin) is the most experienced of the trio with 39 plate appearances in two seasons. The left-hander has been slowed by injuries in each of her years at Wilmington. Last season, she appeared in 22 games with 18 plate appearances.

Kelly finished the season hitting .316 in 19 plate appearances and five RBI, while Sawyer Hooper will be one of three options. 

Wilmington begins the 2015 season at the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic in Ft. Myers, FL from March 8 through May 12.