With new head softball coach John Kelly, and a roster loaded with seniors and juniors leading the way, the St. Ambrose University softball team begins the 2023 season with high hopes for another successful season on the field and intent to compete for the CCAC championship and NAIA national tournament bid.

The Fighting Bees return two 2022 CCAC All-Tournament teams: junior shortstop Alyssa Schumacher, and senior catcher Kayla Stenger. Schumacher returns after posting CCAC a top-10 overall mark of .411/.475/.579 offensively with 29 RBI. Stenger slashed .348/.444./548 offensively to go along with 34 RBI and a remarkable 43 percent caught stealing against.

SAU also returns senior P/1B/OF Erica Ralfs, who posted the third-best ERA in the CCAC (2.51) and the second-most wins (15), as well as senior P/2B Maria Provenzano, who slashed .354/.404/.375 along with three wins in the circle.

Speed will be a trademark of the Fighting Bees' identity under Coach Kelly, and leading the way will be junior speedster Shai Erdrich, who stole 30 bases in 31 attempts in 2022. Junior outfielder Cassie Sprout (.371/.418/.435 with 12 SB), freshman Reagan Engberg (OF/2B), junior transfer outfielder Sandie Opiela, along with Provenzano, will add considerable speed to the Bees' lineup.

A healthy Allison Polly (junior outfielder), along with several quality junior college transfers, including junior Mackenzie Stiewe (1B/3B) will add to the overall power of the team led by Stenger, Ralfs and freshmen 3B/P Eryn Cornwell and C/1B/OF Paige Kirkman.

The 2023 Fighting Bees' pitching staff is a deep and highly-talented group. In addition to returners Ralf and Provenzano, SAU adds lefty junior Winona State transfer Emilee Erickson, JUCO transfers Kayla Roemer and Annebelle Krull, as well as Cornwell.

Along with a talented and athletic bench, the 2023 St. Ambrose Fighting Bees are poised to be a force to be reckoned with this season!

The 2023 season kicks off with doubleheaders Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 11-12, against Graceland, followed by Ambrose Dome tourneys on Feb. 18-19, and Feb. 25-26, which will see the Fighting Bees square off against opponents Aquinas and Mount Mercy, both receiving votes in the NAIA top-25 poll. In mid-March, the Fighting Bees will buzz down to Florida for games March 17-23, then return to open up CCAC play at Trinity International on Saturday, March 25.