Oberlin, Ohio – The weather last week had everyone thinking spring time in Ohio and even though the snow has returned, the start of the 2011 softball season is right around the corner.

The biggest question mark for the Yeowomen heading into the season is who is going to step-up and replace arguably the greatest player in program history in the departed Julia Chauvin?

The logical choice is junior shortstop Kristine Kuchta. The two-time All-NCAC selection enters the season with a career batting average of .343 and has started 70 games over the past two years. The Brookfield, Illinois, native is also a nemesis on the bases as she is 26-of-28 in her career in stolen-base attempts.

However, the question still remains on who is going to be joining Kuchta on the left side of the infield at third base? Head Coach Adrienne Davis will have a few options to turn to. The front-runner to see the majority of time at the hot corner will be first-year Emily King. King comes to Oberlin from nearby Cleveland Heights, Ohio where she was a four-year starter for the Tigers. Junior Megan Widmer will shift over to third when King takes to the mound.

Local Oberlin product Cheryl Lindsly will be on the right side of the infield at second base to make up the other side of the double-play combination with Kuchta.  Widmer should get the bulk of the work over at first base. She will be spelled by Noelle Pavlovic.

Junior Kristen Dix completes the infield at the team's main backstop. After batting .292 during her rookie season, Dix hit .264 as a sophomore as she transitioned from second base to back behind the dish. She finished third on the team with 106 at-bats and was second on the squad with two home runs. Lindsly will be the one who provides Dix with an occassional game off behind the plate.

Across the outfield the Yeowomen return great experience and talent in junior Katie Baldoneri and sophomore Brittany Dawson. Baldoneri is one of the best defensive outfield fielders in the league as she had seven assists a season ago. Dawson, who garnered All-NCAC Second-Team honors as a rookie, led the team in batting average (.486), on-base percentage (.538) and slugging percentage (.514) during conference play.

Freshman Kelsey Steiner is slated to be the third starting outfielder, while sophomore Caroline Rogers is expected to see time at all three spots.

Highly touted freshman Melanie Budney arrives from Chester, New Jersey, and is expected to be the leader of the pitching staff from day one. As a junior she was a first-team all-conference selection as she finished with a 0.68 ERA, a 0.18 WIP and 139 punch-outs in 88 innings pitched. She also served as her team's co-captain in 2010. Widmer, Dawson and King are also all viable options inside the circle for Coach Davis.

The Yeowomen will open their 2011 season at the March Mayhem Tournament at Centre College in Centre, Kentucky on March 12.