THACA, N.Y. -- After making a step forward in 2018, the Cornell softball team will attempt to carry its momentum into a new season that begins with five games at the Madeira Beach Invitational beginning on Friday, Feb. 22. Head coach Julie Farlow's squad kicks off the campaign with games against Siena (4 p.m.) and South Dakota (6:30 p.m.) on Friday, follow by a matchup with Drexel on Saturday (6:30 p.m.) and contests vs. Detroit Mercy (9 a.m.) and Manhattan (11:30 a.m.) on Sunday.

The Big Red is coming off a 15-25 season a year ago, two games better than the previous year and four games ahead in conference play with its 10-11 mark. Six position starters are back, as are the Big Red's top two starting pitchers. A heralded class of eight newcomers also are expected to make an immediate impact on the lineup. Cornell has been picked sixth in the league's preseason media poll.

Three All-Ivy League players return, led by 2018 second-teamer Erin Rockstroh. Rockstroh had a breakout sophomore season, closing the year third in the Ivy League in batting average (.410), a mark that ranked 45th nationally, and setting career highs in every offensive category while starting all 40 games for the Big Red. All-league players Kate Jencarelli (honorable mention in 2018) and Olivia Lam (second team in 2017) rejoin Rockstroh in the lineup, as does junior Bridgette Rooney, who already ranks in the top 20 in school history in home runs (16). Both Jencarelli and Lam have fought the preseason injury bug, allowing some of the younger players to gain much-needed experience.

Also returning is sophomore Brianna Straley, a defensive-minded centerfielder who started 36 contests a year ago with 11 RBI and five outfield assists, and versatile infielder Sarah Murray, who has started nearly 50 games over her first two campaigns. Sophomores Katie Hale and Hannah Contreras will attempt to expand their roles after a year of collegiate competition.

A group of talented freshmen are expected to play a big role, with as many as six in the opening day lineup due to injury. Infielders Allison Kerce, Emily McKinney and Olivia Rooney will join with outfielders Hanna Crist and Miranda Lawson, as well as catchers Emily Muniz and Ruby Sugayan could all see significant time during the season. Their adjustment to the collegiate game will go a long ways in determining how far the Big Red can go.

In the circle, junior pitchers Lisa Nelson and Katie Lew combined to go 14-16 overall with 20 complete games in 31 starts covering 191.1 innings of work a year ago. Freshman Ashley Delany, a lefty, joins them and will bring a change of pace out of the bullpen. The team's walks dramatically decreased, as did its ERA, in 2018. A similar decrease in 2019 would move the Big Red toward the top of the Ivy League stats. 

Cornell has 17 home contests beginning with a three-game Ivy set against Brown on March 23 at Niemand-Robison Field. The Big Red will benefit from five of its seven Ivy League series being played at home after having a series against the Bears moved to Providence last season due to inclement weather.