BLOOMSBURG – Success is nothing new for the Bloomsburg University softball team. The team has a streak of 30 consecutive years of reaching the NCAA playoffs. Head coach Susan Kocher feels good about the prospects of that streak continuing in 2013 when she looks at the balance up and down the roster.

The Huskies, coming off a 35-16 season return a strong number one pitcher, good power throughout the lineup and a strong defensive team; all the ingredients for a successful season.
 
“We have a solid lineup led by an experienced senior class along with a very good group of juniors,” said Kocher, now in her third season as head coach. “Pitcher Cait Paine (Lebanon/Lebanon) is fully recovered from a season-ending injury suffered during last year's post-season. We (Bloomsburg coaches) expect her to have another big year.”

“Also, our sophomores and juniors got their feet wet last year in the post-season and are anxious to get back there and go even further this season,” Kocher added. “We are also excited about our seven freshmen as they add strength and depth to the team.”
 
PITCHERS
 
Paine will lead the staff for the Huskies after being named the PSAC Central Division Pitcher of the Year and Daktronics All-Region in 2012. A year ago Paine was 24-10 with a career-high 304 strikeouts in 228.1 innings pitched.  

Rounding out the pitching staff will be junior Mandi Black (Huntington Mills/Northwest Area), sophomore Caitlin O'Connor (Rockaway, NJ/Morris Knolls) and freshman Brianna Taylor (Mifflinville/Central Columbia). Black was 7-5 a year ago while appearing in 20 games. She is a hard worker who had one shutout and seven complete games as a sophomore.  O'Connor was 4-1 with 28 strikeouts in 31 innings pitched in limited action a year ago.  She may also see time at first base as she has a good glove and is a strong hitter.  Taylor had a great fall, but has missed the early portion of the spring due to an injury.
 
INFIELD
 
The Huskies have a veteran infield with three of the four positions featuring a returning starter. At first base Rachel Fredell (Dingmans Ferry/Delaware Valley) is back after hitting .301 with a homer and 29 RBI last season. Fredell can also play third base if needed. Behind Fredell will be freshman Leann Bell (Lanse/West Branch).
 
At second base Mandi Baer (Douglassville/Daniel Boone) has been a two-year starter for the Huskies. As a sophomore Baer hit .352 with a homer and 19 RBI and scored 41 runs. Backing up Baer will be freshman Valerie Carcasses (Barnegat, NJ/Barnegat), a left-handed hitter who brings speed to the lineup.
 
At shortstop look for a combination of Chrissy Belko (Old Forge/Old Forge) and Erika Yanora (Tunkhannock/Tunkhannock). Belko hit 10 homers a year ago and drove in 36 runs while also banging out 10 doubles. Yanora, the 2012 PSAC Central Division Freshman of the Year, hit .312 with a homer and 21 RBI. She also scored 32 runs and had seven doubles and three triples.  With Belko and Yanora's ability to play the outfield, Kocher may have both players in the lineup at the same time.
 
The big question mark for the Huskies will be at third base where three players will be in the mix for time. Black, Kayla McHale (Dillsburg/Northern) and Cheyanne Bates (Tamaqua/Tamaqua) are all competing for the spot. All three are fundamentally sound, possess quickness and bring solid bats to the lineup.
 
OUTFIELD
 
In the outfield senior Raychelle Kuhns (Williamsport/Loyalsock), an All-PSAC Central Division player last year returns as one of the top defensive outfielders in the PSAC. Kuhns features great range and a strong arm and had a solid year at the plate hitting .287.
 
Juniors Hannah Moir (Mount Laurel, NJ/Lenape ) and Lyndsay Busler (Mechanicsburg/Cumberland Valley) will also see time in the outfield as well as freshmen Erica Keen (Gordonville/Bishop Shanahan) and Megan Freter (Westminster, MD/Westminster). Moir hit .285 a year ago with 19 RBI and is fundamentally sound. Busler, who can also catch, has a strong arm and brings an explosive bat to the lineup.
 
CATCHER
 
Along with Busler and McHale, Lea Rehm (Bloomsburg/Bloomsburg) is a freshman who will see time behind the plate. Rehm is a lefty thrower with very good defensive skills.
 
“This group of players knows what is needed to get back to the post-season,” said Kocher. “With better depth on this team, good speed and strong fundamentals we should be again battling for a playoff spot. Each year there is more parity among teams in the division and no team can be overlooked.  Our team needs to play its best each time they take the field.”