In 2023, The College of Wooster softball team was on the outside looking in when it came to the North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament.

They went 19-19 overall and 7-7 in conference play. However, they dropped their last three conference games and were the victims of a walk-off home run in the final game to keep them out of postseason play.

"It was heartbreaking, but it left a lot of motivation for this year's group moving forward," said Wooster softball coach Victoria Rumph.

The good news is the 2024 Scots return a majority of last year's team including its Rawlings Gold Glove winner at third base and its leading pitcher in innings thrown.

"The bulk of the team is back," Rumph said. "We added some great freshmen to the mix too. The way we swing the bat has continued to improve and, offensively, we're going to be pretty scary."

In her first year, Julia Jennings made quite her mark at Wooster. Her accolades started with being named NCAC Newcomer of the Year, and she followed that with a first team all-region selection from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.

But the big award came with the Gold Glove, becoming one of the inaugural winners and being one of the nine selected from across the nation.

And while she showed her prowess on the field with a .952 fielding percentage, she was also one of Wooster's best hitters, breaking the single season program record with a .450 batting average (59 of 131).

She is joined by four other All-NCAC performers in pitcher Rachael Dudziak and hitters Emma Hetkey, Stephanie Griffin-Sanchez and Kaydee Clark.

First-year Lynnsey Delio was a workhorse in her first year, logging a team-high 109 innings to go along with a 10-11 record. She solidifies a pitching staff that includes Dudziak and first-year Tori Conner.

In her time at Wooster, Rumph has seen significant develop from her pitchers going from their first year to their sophomore campaign, and Rumph hopes Delio can accomplish the same.

"I'm excited to see what Lynnsey is going to bring this year with the hard worker she is and the motivation she has after a really good start last year," Rumph said. 

Dudziak turned it on late with the lowest ERA among Wooster pitchers in NCAC games. She finished with a 3-1 record with a 2.63 ERA in those games alone.

Rounding out the pitching staff is senior Lilly McLendon who transitions to the bullpen this year as a lefty relief option.

The only key loss from the pitching standpoint is fellow All-NCAC earner Addie Tagg, who filled in exceptionally in relief, stranding 19 of 21 inherited runners.

Shifting back to hitters, Griffin-Sanchez was one of five for Wooster to hit above .290. She also exceled in conference games, batting .354 with a team-high three home runs and seven RBI.

"Steph is the leader at shortstop, controls the defense and covers a lot of ground," Rumph said. "She is the quarterback of everything we do defensively." 

The first-year Hetkey finished second in batting average on the team with a .367 average. She also was second with 11 stolen bases, only behind the 14 from Griffin-Sanchez. She'll look to be the Scots' leadoff bat.

Joining Griffin-Sanchez as a team captain for the second year in a row, Clark batted .326 in NCAC games and was third on the team with a .331 average. The catcher caught 18 runners stealing including a conference leading seven in NCAC games.

The Scots also return the bat of first-year Cate Barkdoll, who was third on the team with a .317 average with two home runs and a team-high 25 RBI.

The Scots have options in the outfield with the speedy senior Ciara Herbert, and junior Sarah Lodge who continues to see increased playing time. Sophomore Ella Wolff returns to center field after appearing in all 38 games last year.

"Ella's range is growing even more and her ability to steal line drive hits off hitters is crazy," Rumph said. "She's stepped it up offensively, also."

Katie Mommers will look to follow up a solid first-year campaign, while senior Anna Norby is another who should see time at second base, having already seen action in 108 games in her Wooster career.

The Scots bring a plethora of first-years to join Conner including Jasmine Mueller, who will see time backing up Clark at catcher or being the designated player.

Catching depth should not be an issue as the Scots also add first-year Brenna Haydu and junior Cassie Frangella to the mix as well.

Madi Yankauskas and Shelby Ellsworth are the final two first-years who will be looking for playing time. 

The Scots will open the season with a tough test with four games in Kentucky – two against Spalding University and other two against 20th-ranked Transylvania University.

They will then travel to Florida for 10 spring break games before their opening home weekend with games against Case Western Reserve University and Muskingum University.

They open NCAC play April 13 with a trip to Denison University.