CHADRON, Neb. -- The Chadron State College softball team will look to build off of last year's success when the season begins with two games on February 4 in Daytona Beach, Florida.
 
Last year, CSC finished 27-26 overall and 25-19 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play. CSC finished the regular season by posting a record of 16-4 in the month of April to earn a spot in the RMAC tournament.
 
It was the first winning season by Chadron State softball since 2017 when they finished 32-25 overall and went 3-2 in the conference tournament.
 
This season, the Eagles will look to replace Bailey Steinke and Sloane Quijas in the infield, due to graduation. Steinke was named the RMAC Gold Glover at shortstop in 2023 while Quijas was honorable mention all-conference at third base.
 
The answer to replace Quijas could likely be Lauren Zimmerman, a junior from Reno, Nevada. Zimmerman started 42 games last season, splitting time at third base, first base and designated hitter. The junior led CSC with a batting average of .394.
 
Ashland Baca, a senior from Pueblo West, Colorado was the Eagles starter at first at the conclusion of last season while Brady Laucomer, a sophomore form Scottsbluff, Nebraska started at second base. Jazlyn Arvizo, a junior from Denver, Colorado also saw action at first.
 
With Steinke starting every game at shortstop a year ago and 165 games in her career, a new name will need to feel the hole in the Eagle defense. A total of six newcomers have playing experience at shortstop in the group of 26 athletes on the roster.  
 
A second team all-conference pitcher in Delaney Farnsworth is no longer on the roster for the Eagles this season.
 
Taking over the number one spot in the circle will be Tori Haug, Haug, a senior from Commerce City, Colorado, was named honorable mention all-conference with a 3.59 ERA a year ago.
 
The Eagles have two other pitchers on the roster. One is junior Kenzi Garner who saw action in 14 games last year and Brooklyn Levin, a freshman from Littleton, Colorado.
 
Catching for CSC's pitchers will be senior Mackenzi Kroll. Kroll, a native of Brighton, Colorado, finished eighth in the conference in put outs and was tied second in home runs.
 
Every starter from the outfield is returning for the Eagles, including valuable depth. Aliyah Rothstein, a junior from Lakewood, Colorado started all 53 games in right field a year ago, J'lyssa Martinez started 44, Jessie Henchenski started 33 and Chloe Brown added 21 starts.
 
Offensively, after seeing action in 41 games with six starts last season, Jaelyn Martinez, a sophomore from Aurora, Colorado returns as CSC's main pinch runner. She was a perfect 10-10 on stolen bases a year ago, tied for second behind Rothstein, who converted 23 of 24 attempts.
 
Chadron State, who was picked to finish eighth in the RMAC last week, will play a total of 10 games over six days in Florida before beginning conference play on February 17.