TOLEDO, OH – In just two seasons since taking the reins of the Toledo Softball Program, Kristen Butler has taken the Rockets from underdogs to Mid-American Conference contenders. An astounding 13-game winning streak at the conclusion of the 2016 season has turned the Rockets into to a team with targets on their backs in 2017.
 
2016 RECAP
    Last season, Toledo was predicted to finish fifth in the West Division and opened 2016 with an overall record of 1-10. At the start of conference play, the Rockets had only won four games. Butler knew their record didn't reflect the amount of talent on her team. Something had to change. The Rockets' hard work had to pay off eventually.
     "If the team wanted a shot to play in the MAC Tournament, our culture had to change," said Butler. "We had always worked hard; that wasn't the problem. We had to change our mentality. We were 4-20. We had nothing to lose and everything to gain.
     "Once we started winning, that feeling became contagious. We started relaxing more and just began to enjoy the game again. Winning built up their confidence and after our mid-season re-evaluation, we shocked a lot of people by finishing the season 17-13."
     Toledo concluded the regular season with 13 straight victories, the program's longest winning streak in 24 years. That finish positioned the Rockets as the No. 7 seed of the MAC Tournament—the first post-season tournament appearance for Toledo since 2013.
 
2017 OUTLOOK
    A year later, the Rockets are looking to build off last season's terrific finish. Butler did lose some key players from last year's squad but plenty of talent remains. The Rockets return a pair of All-MAC infielders in senior Chandler Rice and junior Samantha Showalter, and an All-MAC outfielder in senior Celeste Fidge. The roster will be very balanced in 2017, consisting of three seniors, six juniors, four sophomores and five freshmen.
     Butler expects her team to pick up right where it left off last season, and predicts everyone on the team will contribute, including the newcomers.
    "Our three seniors have stepped into great leadership roles and they're excited for this year to begin," Butler said. "I think everyone will see a completely different Rocket team coming out of the gates this season than they did last year."
 
THE PITCHERS
    In 2016, sophomore Heather Webb pitched in a backup role behind senior Marla Gooding. Webb started 17 of her 29 games and tallied 76 strikeouts in 99.2 innings. Butler will now look to Webb to lead a pitching staff that includes sophomore transfer Kailey Minarchick (Owens CC), and freshmen Leah Allison and Alissa Noble.
     "Heather finished the season with a great strikeout-to-innings ratio," said Butler. "She's our only pitcher with experience in big games and in conference play. We will need her to really take on the role of leading this young staff."
 
THE CATCHERS
    The Rockets return senior Ashley Maynard and junior Kaitlyn Bergman, who split time behind the plate last season. Butler also expects to utilize junior Kylie Gross, who spent time catching for UT during her freshman season.  
     "Our catching roles will come down to leadership this year, and we have a lot of it," said Butler. "Our catching corps is made up of upperclassmen, and they have all shown to be vocal leaders. Ashley ended last season on a great note, and Kaitlyn did a fantastic job defensively behind the plate. They were both great leaders on the field and they have a lot of experience."
 
THE INFIELDERS
    Toledo will boast a lineup led by two All-MAC infielders in senior Chandler Rice and junior Samantha Showalter.
     Rice, a two-time all-conference selection at second base, will look to build off a fantastic 2016 season in which she hit .312 with five homers, 11 doubles and a team-high 26 RBI. She was even better in MAC play, hitting .352 with a .577 slugging percentage in league games. Rice was slick with the glove, too, participating in 10 double plays and committing just 10 errors in 242 chances.
     "Chandler came up huge for us defensively and made some really great plays," said Butler. "Her swing is looking the best it has ever been. I'm excited to see what she will bring to the field this year."
     Showalter appeared in 47 games after missing the start of the season with a shoulder injury and finished the year with a .286 batting average with two home runs, seven doubles and 16 RBI. Showalter will return to her post at first base.
     "Sam is a fantastic hitter in our lineup and I would say she's arguably the best defensive first basemen in the MAC," added Butler. "I'm expecting her to have a great year both defensively and offensively."
     The Rockets also return sophomores Megan Choate and Katie Cozy. Choate was one of two Rockets who started all 54 games last season, and is looking to build on a successful freshman campaign. Thanks to her superb glove, she finished her freshman year as UT's starting shortstop.
     "Megan did a lot for us in the middle of the infield last year and she has turned into a great leader on and off the field," said Butler. "Katie didn't see a whole lot of time on the field last year but she has been working extremely hard in the off-season. She's hungry for a starting spot somewhere in the infield."
     Toledo welcomes a trio to the infield crew in freshmen Samantha Golden and Morgan Paaverud, and junior college transfer Courtney Heinritz (Pensacola State). All three players will fight for playing time in 2017.
     "Samantha is arguably the most improved player on our team so far this year, and she continues to get better each day," said Butler. "Courtney is a powerful presence over at third base and I'm really happy to add her to the line up. We added a big stick over at first base with Morgan. Sam Showalter has been a great mentor to Morgan, and has helped her develop her skills over the off-season."
 
THE OUTFIELDERS
    Returning to the Toledo outfield is All-MAC honoree senior Celeste Fidge, as well as juniors Ashley Rausch and Kylie Gross.  Fidge played in all 54 games last season and tied Rice with a team-leading five home runs. Rausch started 52 games in center field and tallied 17 runs scored. Gross will split her time between the outfield and catcher.
     "I think that Celeste will be one of the best hitters in the conference this season," said Butler. "She has a great arm and will throw anyone out at home plate. Ashley has played center field for most of her time here, but I'm looking for her to step up and fill one or two positions this year. She has a great arm, glove and speed so I know she will be able to step up when we need her."
    One addition for UT's outfield is junior Marriah Wise, a NJCAA first-team All-America selection from Central Florida State. Also joining the mix is freshman Maddie Emery, whose sister Sammy was a four-year letterwinner at Toledo from 2013-16.
     "Marriah is extremely fast from the left side and she'll probably find herself at the top of our lineup with her type of speed," added Butler. "Maddie is a great outfielder just like her sister was. The coaches have thrown a lot at her so far this season and she's done a fantastic job at taking it all in. I think we can all expect great things out of her this year."
 
2017 OPPONENTS
    Toledo will play 11 home games over the course of its 2017 campaign. Highlighting the Rockets' road slate will be six tournaments that feature five NCAA Tournament teams to begin the season.
     "Our schedule is balanced but tough this season," said Butler. "We are going to have a great mix of competition in our non-conference tournaments, including some Top 100 teams and some excellent mid-major competition. We want to compete at a high level every year and really push ourselves to get better."
     UT's season begins in Cedar Falls, IA where the Rockets will compete in the Ramada UNI Dome Classic on Feb. 10-12. Toledo will face off against Big Ten member Wisconsin, South Dakota State, Montana, Nebraska-Omaha and host Northern Iowa.
    Toledo will then travel down to a tough Strike Out Cancer Tournament hosted by 2016 Conference USA champion Florida Atlantic on Feb. 17-19 in Boca Raton, FL. The Rockets will battle against 2016 AAC champion and NCAA Tournament team Tulsa, as well as St. John's, Savannah State and Syracuse.
    UT then ventures to USC Upstate's Buffalo Wild Wings Classic in Spartanburg, SC on Feb. 24-25 where it will square off against Sacred Heart, Western Carolina, Furman and host Upstate, which made an appearance in last season's NCAA Tournament.
    The Rockets will keep their suitcases packed and venture to Hawaii for the first time in program history. The Midnight Blue & Gold will compete in two consecutive tournaments hosted by the University of Hawai'i as part of their spring trip. UT will first take on Charleston Southern, Seattle and Hawai'i in the Malihini Kipa Aloha Tournament on March 3-5, and will finish its outing at the Hawai'i Spring Fling Tournament on March 8-11. Competing in the Spring Fling will be 2016 NCAA Tournament team Utah, Charleston Southern, Marist and Hawai'i.
    UT will head back to the Midwest on March 17-19 for SIU Edwardsville's tournament where it will compete against Northern Kentucky, 2016 NCAA Tournament team Butler and host SIUE before wrapping up its 33-game non-conference slate with a doubleheader at Fort Wayne on March 22.
     "In each tournament we play a Top 50 program, but every team we face will push us to perform well," said Butler. "It's critical to prepare well for conference games because the level of play in the MAC grows every year. I want our team to feel confident that they can compete in the MAC at a high level so I am glad that we will be facing some tough competition early in the season."
 
MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE
    Toledo will engage in a three-game series against each of the five Mid-American Conference West Division schools as well as reigning MAC Tournament champion Miami (35-23, 15-7 MAC), league runner-up Ohio (37-23, 14-9 MAC) and Buffalo (17-37, 9-14 MAC) from the East. This year's MAC Tournament will be held in Akron on May 10-13.
     "Our team really enjoyed the new conference setup with the three-game series, and I think it was a big attributing factor to our success last season," said Butler. "We were able to make adjustments throughout the three games which really helped. 
    "As a coach, I now know what it takes to make it to the tournament," added Butler. "We are going to really focus and prepare our game strategies this season. I'm also looking to our senior leadership to help us make back-to-back appearances.
    "Coming off a 13-game win streak at the end of our regular season has given the team a huge boost of confidence and excitement. Our seniors have built on that success so far this year and I can tell that they are prepared to fight for a MAC Championship."