Carly Schoenstein is one of four juniors that will lead the Scots' offense in 2014. She has 30 runs batted in during her first two seasons.

With its four leading hitters back in the fold – juniors Demi Hart, Paige Goldberg, Carly Schoenstein, and Skye Patterson – The College of Wooster hopes to challenge for the North Coast Athletic Conference championship like it did two years ago. Hart, Goldberg, Schoenstein, and Patterson were all starters when the Fighting Scots went 25-15 and tied for second in the conference standings during the 2012 season.

"There is so much parody in the NCAC," remarked head coach Lori Schimmel. "Last year, we didn't know who the 2, 3, and 4 seeds were going to be heading into the last week of the season. And you look at our results against DePauw (NCAC champions), and we were right there with them in both games we played them. We lost one game in 10 innings and the other by just one run. So we know we're right there."

The Scots certainly project to have some pop in their lineup behind a standout junior class that combined to hit .327 with 65 RBI last season. Hart spearheaded that group with her second straight all-conference (first-team) and all-region (third-team) campaign, and she will once again give the Scots a strong presence at the No. 3 spot in the order.

"Pitchers don't want to face her (Hart)," acknowledged Schimmel. "They (pitchers) try to pitch around her, but even that doesn't work, because she is such a good bad-ball hitter and she can take advantage of any pitch. Everything you get from Demi is at 110 percent and that's why she's the leader of this team."

Hart had the second most extra base hits in the league last year with 24 (16 doubles, 6 triples, 2 home runs), and was fifth in slugging percentage (.681), sixth in batting average (.388), and tied for sixth in RBI (26). Joining Hart in the outfield could be any number of options, including sophomores Taylor Raybuck, who started 27 games in the outfield last year, and Kristyn Swanson, as well as Julia Williams, a junior transfer from rival Wittenberg University, along with several newcomers.

Goldberg, the Scots' starting catcher, experienced a breakout season hitting from the leadoff spot in the lineup, with a .336 batting average and team-highs in runs scored (25) and stolen bases (7). Schoenstein, a shortstop, provides solid power in the middle of the order, with 14 doubles and 30 RBI over two seasons, and she raised her batting average by 60 points last year (.299). Patterson continues to improve at the plate, hitting .273 with 14 RBI in 2013, and will be counted on for her strong defense at second base.

While Schoenstein and Patterson have the inside track on the starting middle infield jobs, with sophomore Marissa Gorvet pushing them, there are several players competing for the corner positions. Sophomore Kasey Fiedler and the team's lone senior, Aundrea Atwell, were the starters last year at first and third, respectively, but there are at least three newcomers that will be pushing them for those opportunities right out of the gates.

The biggest overhaul will be at pitcher, where the graduation of two four-year starters has left the Scots with a youthful look. The only returning hurler is sophomore Jenna Hunkins, but Schimmel expects that first-year Kate Edgehouse, as well as some combination of freshmen Rylee Bouillion, Georgia Hill, and Jenna Kendall will join Hunkins in the rotation.

"It doesn't scare me to have a young pitching staff, because we went through this four years ago and it worked out for us," said Schimmel. "However, there is still that unknown right now as to who will be our starters. We have to get them out there and see how they do in real games, so I am definitely looking to experiment with the rotation while we're in Florida (spring break trip)."