The future appears promising for head coach Dee Conway and her Mary Washington College Eagles. After an inconsistent 1994 season in which its three-year stronghold of the Capital Athletic Conference (CAC) Tournament championship ended, Conway believes her 1995 contingent will be poised to challenge for postseason honors.

Last season, MWC finished second to Catholic University in the CAC Tournament competition. Despite the loss of All-CAC standouts Amy Umberger, Jay Wilson and Jackie Davis to graduation, Conway welcomes back several key performers. First Team All-CAC infielder Pam Williams (Sr./Millersville, MD), outfielder Carin Gsellman Jr./Reston, VA), infielder Tasha Stancill Jr./Falls Church, VA) and pitcher/first baseman Tasha Thomas (Sr./King George, VA) lead the returnees.

Williams hit .266, Gsellman hit .347 (including 11-15 in the CAC Tournament with five runs and five RBI), Stancill finished at .314 and Thomas at .326. Gsellman and Stancill tied for the team lead in RBI with 12 last season. Williams and Stancill will serve as co-captains in '95. Other veterans to watch are outfield starter Tracy Phillips Jr./Poquoson, VA), who had 10 RBI last season.

Janel Skipwith Jr./ Crewe, VA), who hit .314 in a reserve infield role and infielders Becky Jones Jr./ Reston, VA) and Stacey Duval (Springfield, VA). While Conway welcomes the return of productive veterans (with just two seniors in Williams and Thomas, along with several juniors), she also eagerly awaits what she believes is the most talented recruiting class in team history. According to Conway, the team's pitching, hitting, speed and defense may all be dramatically improved with the addition of this year's freshman class.