LORETTO, Pa. – Saint Francis softball returns four of its top five hitters for the 2016 season.  The Red Flash offense was a key part of a 31-19 record in 2015.  SFU returns 60 percent of hits home runs and 56 percent of its RBIs from 2014.  With nine newcomers on the team, the returning hitters will be relied on to provide consistency in the lineup.
 
Saint Francis ranked fourth in the Northeast Conference in batting average, hitting .265.  The Red Flash were also second in runs(232), fourth in hits(314) and tied for fourth in home runs(29).  SFU led the league in doubles, with 69, and triples, with 12.  Baserunning was also a major part of the offense as the Red Flash led the league with 52 steals. 
 
However, the Red Flash has to replace Taylor Parsons (Bellefonte, Pa./Bald Eagle), the 2015 NEC Player of the Year, who led the team in batting average(.353), runs(41), hits(60), doubles(20) and triples(6).  Parsons graduated as the program's all-time leader in hits(196), runs(117) and doubles(52), while tying for third with nine triples and fourth with 108 RBI.
 
"No question TP flat out swung it last year, as she did her whole career," said Head Coach Jennifer Patrick-Swift. "There were times when she was racking up four and five RBI in a game, which was great, but we're going to need more than one hitter, or even a few hitters, to fulfill our team goals this year.  That has been a team focus this year: getting after it in the box."
 
One of the keys to a successful offense is a focus on having solid at-bats.
 
"I just really focus on quality at-bats," said sophomore Madison Cabell (Ivor, Va./Southampton). "I don't try to do anything special. To be honest, none of these girls do. We all have our own process and our coaches are working with us to make us better."
 
Though the Red Flash led the NEC in stolen bases, it will also have to replace its top three base-stealers.  However, when the right situations present themselves, SFU will still look to take advantage.
 
"We will run when we get into situations we feel we can be successful," said Patrick-Swift. "I feel like we have a few girls that will increase their stolen bases a lot this spring, not just with speed, but with smart and aggressive baserunning."
 
Junior Alexis Bower (Cogan Station, Pa./Williamsport Area) returns after leading the Red Flash in home runs, with six, and on-base percentage, .421.  The College Sports Madness Preseason All-NEC selection had the 10th-best batting average in the NEC (.318), with 47 hits, 11 doubles and two triples, while batting in 30 runs and scoring 38.  Bower had 11 multi-hit games and seven multi-RBI games.  Bower, who is also part of the Red Flash's pitching staff, split time between first base and right field last season.
 
"Alexis is a player that gives this program every ounce she has each and every day," said Patrick-Swift. "She has played through a lot of pain throughout her career and that type of commitment and drive really does show in her results."
 
Junior Kindra Witthus (Hudson, Wis./Hudson), also a College Sports Madness Preseason All-NEC honoree, was third on the team last season with a .270 batting average, while starting all 50 games, with most of her starts coming from behind the plate.  She totaled 40 hits, including five doubles, two triples and four homers, while driving in 26 runs and scoring 24.  Witthus is the top returning threat on the basepaths after stealing six bases last season.
 
Witthus is also a weapon behind the plate, where she threw out 11 of 18 potential base-stealers.
 
"Our catchers the past few years have really been a key part of our pitching success and Kindra has continued the tradition," said Patrick-Swift. "She has that 'you better not run on me' mentality and she has the ability to back it up. We are excited to see what this spring has in store for her."
 
On the infield, sophomores Madison Cabell (Ivor, Va./Southampton) and Jordan Seneca (Plum, Pa./Plum) are also among the returning leaders at the plate.  Cabell made 43 starts last season, with 42 coming at third base, while Seneca started in 46 games, with 44 at shortstop.
 
Cabell, the only freshman in the conference to earn First Team All-NEC last year, hit .264 last season, with 33 hits, including nine doubles, a triple and four homers, while ranking second on the team with 38 RBI.  Cabell was also third on the squad with a .448 slugging percentage and a .384 on-base percentage.
 
"I think Madison understands the impact she can have on our lineup this year and for years to come," said Patrick-Swift. "She works extremely hard to perfect her game. She is only going to get better offensively and defensively, with each pitch she is in the game."
 
Seneca was fourth on the team with a .267 batting average.  She totaled 35 hits, with five doubles, two triples and two home runs, while scoring 29 runs and knocking in 14.  She also stole three bases. 
 
Senior outfielder Kate Blattenberger (Martinsburg, Pa./Central) also returns after starting 33 games.  She hit .236 with 21 knocks, including six doubles and two homers.  Blattenberger drove in eight runs and scored 11.
 
Junior outfielder Kelsie Marconi (Lowber, Pa./Yough) appeared in 30 games last season, scoring 11 runs and stealing three bases.  Senior infielder Aly Ramsaier (Mesa, Ariz./Mountain View) started 24 games in 25 appearances, batting .121 with four hits, knocking in one run and scoring four.
 
With a strong pitching staff, a consistent impact from the lineup could put the Red Flash in a position to be NEC Champions in 2016.