SALEM, W.Va.- The Salem University softball team plans on coming into the 2019 season with a different mindset.
 
Head Softball Coach Steve Potts enters his 11^th season at Salem, coming off of a 13-23 season last year. The team is looking to make improvements and take their game to the next level.
 
"We have faced a lot of adversity, as far as practice conditions with all the rain we have had this winter and our indoor facility being worked on. It will be interesting to go out the first weekend and see how we play. I think we are going to build on last year's results," stated Potts.
 
The Tigers enter their season with ten returners and five newcomers to the team.
 
A key returner for Salem is junior Morgan Atkinson. Atkinson was named 2019 Preseason Second Team All-American by FastPitch News. She comes off her sophomore year batting a .459 and being announced 2018 Division II Second Team All-Region as a utility/non-pitcher by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.
 
"She has led the team in hitting the last couple of years," coach Potts mentioned. "It is nice to have her bat back in the lineup to fill in some spots for the seniors that we lost."
 
The Tigers return sophomore outfielder Casey Moritz. Moritz returns to the Tigers looking to be a team leader as she takes the leadoff position in the lineup. Moritz is returning after a .407 batting average and 40 runs in her freshman year.
 
Salem also returns junior pitcher Rosey Romick who totaled 43 strikeouts. Junior pitcher Christine Bombardiere will also return to the circle for the Tigers after adding another 41 strikeouts last season.
 
Junior Sydney McPherson is looking to return this season with a strong bat to add to the Tigers' lineup. Two seniors, Kaleigh Decker and Veneise Mendez return to lead the team to a successful year.
 
The Tigers added five new players to the lineup this year, adding freshman Kimberly Reckling and freshman Paige Winans who look to add ground coverage in addition to Moritz in the outfield.
 
Salem adds another middle infielder to the line with junior transfer Breanna Jimenez.
 
The Tigers are slated for their first game on Friday as they travel to Winston-Salem State for a doubleheader at 2:00 p.m.