Softball | 01/31/24 | 11:04 AM

HELENA, Mont. - The Carroll College Softball team is back on the Diamond and ready for the start of what is sure to be an action packed 2024 season. Carroll will kick things off with an afternoon doubleheader against Park University (Ariz.) in Gilbert, Ariz. at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. in the first games of what will be a busy week.

The Fighting Saints (2023 Record: 20-28, 13-17) will look to build upon the successes of last season, and step one in the process is handling business against the Buccaneers (0-2) this afternoon.

The 2023 season was a significant one for Carroll. Head Coach Shawna Juarez took the reigns, providing some much-needed stability in the position, and the Saints proceeded to qualify for the Cascade Collegiate Conference postseason tournament for the first time since 2019.

Three Saints from the 2023 team were named All-CCC performers, and two of the three return for the 2024 season. Honorable Mention selection Alyssa Lybbert (Las Vegas, Nev. / JR) is one of the best in the league at the hot corner, and 2023 First Team selection Kaitlynn Ayers (Twin Falls, Idaho / SR) will look to repeat her fantastic season both at the plate and at her first base position.

The 2024 Saints will definitely have a new look. New season, plenty of new faces. 

Eight of the 18 players on the Carroll roster are Freshman, but Coach Juarez is excited about the group of newcomers. The early season games in Arizona will definitely be a learning experience for the underclass-stacked Saints, but finding their footing in the desert will be great preparation for a CCC slate that is arguably as difficult as any in the nation.

The CCC is loaded with top-25 teams, and Carroll hopes to make strides towards joining those ranks this season. The Saints were picked to finish No. 6 in the preseason CCC Coaches' Poll, the same position in which they finished a year ago.

2022 Montana Gatorade Player of the Year, Kennedy Venner (Billings, Mont. / SO) will likely be in line to get the opening day start in the circle for the Saints. Venner was solid in her Freshman season, striking out 65 in her 11 appearances.

Wednesday's doubleheader against the Buccanneers is scheduled for first pitch times of 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. from the Arizona Athletic grounds.

A live stream for the games can be found HERE, and live stats can be followed HERE (first game) and HERE (second game).

Visit www.carrollathletics.com this evening for a recap of the action, and to stay up to date with everything going on in Carroll Athletics.