By Nicholas Wilczynski 

After finishing last season with a 38-7 record and winning a fourth straight conference tournament, the Falcon softball team will have to turn to its young talent this year to continue its success.

The Falcons lost six starters including players of the year Haley Martin and Megan VinZant.

“We are young this year, but we will be strong," said coach Tony Segovia, who is chasing his third straight NAIA National Tournament appearance. 

Leading the team this year will be senior shortstop Megan Hudson who was an honorable mention for the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference last year. Hudson is one of seven seniors on this year’s team, and the Falcons will be equipped with 10 underclassmen. 

Along with Hudson the Falcons will return three year letter winner and starter Amy Martinez and senior Taryn Whitemore.

Pitching will be the key this year as the Falcons lost both of their first team all conference pitchers, Stephanie McCarthy and Brandi Leeker. Trying to fill that role will be a bit of a battle between junior Kelsey Porter, transfer junior Cara Russell and freshman Jackie Case.

The Falcons were recently picked third in the KCAC preseason poll and it hasn’t set well with some of the players. 

“We can’t control those kinds of things,” Martinez said. “All we can do is go out there every day and play our hearts out against everyone and know that we gave it our all.”  

The Falcons' first game will on Feb. 18 against Central Christian College at McPherson, and their first first home game is on Feb. 28 against Dakota Wesleyan.