The 2014 Webster University softball season gets under way with a trip to the National Training Center in Clermont, FL to play eight games over spring break. The Gorloks face a tough non-conference schedule including games against preseason #6 ranked Central College (IA), #15 Augustana College, #17 Washington University and DePauw University, all perennial NCAA tournament participants.

The 2014 Webster University softball team looks to rebound from a disappointing 2013 season with its sights set on getting back to the top of the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC).   The team's streak of reaching the SLIAC tournament finals for seven consecutive years was broken as, for the first time in team history, the squad missed the tournament in 2013.  The Gorloks finished with an overall record of 19-16 and were 8-8 in the SLIAC.

Head coach Chris Eaton enters his sixth season, compiling a 113-84 overall record and a 57-20 record in the SLIAC. Over the previous five seasons, Webster softball has won two SLIAC championships, a SLIAC tournament championship, and made an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.  The team advanced to the NCAA Central Region Championship game in 2008.

The Gorloks return eight players from the 2013 squad, including four that are SLIAC All-Conference selections.  Second Team All-Conference selection Rachel Franck (SO, St. Louis, MO/McCluer North HS) returns as the leadoff hitter for the Gorloks. Franck led the team last year with a .420 batting average and 16 stolen bases. She also excelled in the pitching circle (6-1, 0.66 era) before her pitching season was cut short due to injury.  Franck will see time pitching, in the outfield, and third base.

Senior Molly Muntz (Streator, IL/Streator HS) will see most of her time behind the plate this year after earning Honorable Mention All-Conference as an outfielder in 2013. Muntz hit .306 last season and was second on the team with 21 RBIs.  Honorable Mention All-Conference selection Taylor Gibbs (JR, Alton, IL/Alton HS) will see time at both corner infield positions. She is the team's top power hitting threat, leading the team in HRs (8) and RBIs (25) last season. Another 2012 Honorable Mention All-Conference selection, senior Sam Powers (St. Louis, MO/John F. Kennedy HS), will contribute greatly in the outfield, infield and pitching.

Other returners include versatile senior Kelley Bridgmon (Imperial, MO/Seckman HS) who will play shortstop this season but can play multiple positions in the infield and outfield. Sophomores Erin McGinnis (Fenton, MO/Rockwood Summit HS) and Alison Stabenow (Granite City, IL/Granite City HS) will see time in the outfield.  Another infielder, senior Jessica Lewandowski (SR, St. Louis, MO/Mehlville HS), will be finishing up her career as a Gorlok in 2014.

The Gorloks welcome five new faces to the team this year. Kallie Federhofer (JR, St. Louis, MO/Lutheran South HS), A.J. Spriggs (FR, Scott City, MO/Scott City HS), and Amber Sinamon (FR, St. Louis, MO/Affton HS) will all see time on the mound. Freshmen Kristin McIntyre (Eureka, MO/Eureka HS) will play the infield and Emily Kolisch (St. Louis, MO/Incarnate Word Academy) will see time in the outfield.

The SLIAC Tournament will be held at Principia College in Elsah, IL, with the winner advancing to the NCAA Championships beginning on May 8th.