The Grinnell College softball team is looking to make strides from last year as the Pioneers prepares for their 2012 campaign.

The Pioneers, who were 0-33 in 2011, return seven players from that squad. Included in that mix is two-time All-Midwest Conference selection Amanda Stromquist '12, who split duties between the field and pitching last season.

Stromquist is Grinnell's top returning hitter (.395 average) and was tops on the squad last season in slugging percentage (.547), RBI (17) and doubles (10).

She is Grinnell's co-leader in career home runs with eight.

Classmate Jayme Wiebold, the team's shortstop and team captain, also adds punch to the lineup after hitting .310 with a .417 slugging percentage and seven doubles. She knocked in 12 runs.

“Offensively, those two will be the heart of our lineup,” said second-year coach Amanda Reckamp. “Jayme will again be at shortstop, and Amanda will be seeing time both pitching as well as at first base. I look for both to match or better last season's numbers.”

Returning juniors are captain Christina Colver '13 and Jessica Menary '13. Colver had 10 RBI last season with four doubles and also stole four bases.

“Christina will see time both in the outfield and infield, and that versatility will help us a lot, while Jessica is expected to play mainly in the outfield,” said Reckamp.

Three sophomores benefitted heavily last season by getting playing experience early and often.

That group includes Aniela Wendt '14, Grace Ryan '14 and Aiyana Turpen-Scott '14. Wendt, an outfielder, is the team's second-leading returning hitter after batting .311 with a .367 slugging percentage while also hitting five doubles and scoring a team-leading 15 runs.

“Aniela is coming off a great offensive year as a freshman,” said Reckamp. “She'll be leading off and setting the pace in the outfield.

“Grace put in a lot of work in the off-season and we will utilize her versatility at multiple positions,” the coach continued. “Aiyana will continue to see time behind the plate, just as last season, and also play some outfield for us.”

Rounding out the squad are Summer Wilke '15, Jennifer Fulton '15 and Lindsay Fujimoto '15.

“Jen and Summer add depth to our pitching staff, which is much-needed,” said Reckamp. “Both have extensive experience on the mound. With Jen, we'll utilize her both pitching as well as at third base. Summer is a very athletic player and we look for her to contribute offensively, pitching and defensively in the outfield.

“Lindsay will be seeing playing time mostly at second base,” the coach continued. “She'll help solidify the middle of the lineup.”

While there are plenty of returnees from last season, Reckamp says the 2012 squad is much different than the previous season.

“Our team is very different from last year; a team full of players who gained valuable experience last year and are hungry to change things, a group of talented newcomers and players who are very versatile in terms of the numbers of positions they can play,” she said. “Defensive changes will happen nearly every game while we try to solidify a consistent batting lineup. The potential this team has will rely on our pitching consistency and our offensive production with runners on base – two flaws of just a year ago. Other goals we are focusing on are cutting down our strikeouts and errors which prevented us from getting in the win column last year, as well.”

In order to improve, Reckamp says the Pioneers can't aid opponents with mistakes. “We are focusing on not beating ourselves and putting each other in successful situations with our throws and decision-making to allow a good outcome on each play,” she said.

Last season's team took big steps as the season progressed, and Reckamp is hoping the squad can continue where it left off. “By the end of last season, we played pretty well against some of the top teams in the (Midwest Conference South) Division,” she said. “We are looking to turn some heads in the conference this year as we were voted last in the South Division preseason poll. We have the pitching depth and the offensive potential to do some damage and make the South Division work to beat us. “

Grinnell opens its season Sunday with a twin bill at Westminster College.