With the loss of just two seniors to graduation, and the return of several record setting performers, Mary Washington College aims to make a return to regional and possibly national prominence in '96. The Eagles come off a 20-17 season in which they won 15 of their last 23 games, with four of those losses coming to nationally ranked opponents. MWC also went 6-2 in Capital Athletic Conference (CAC) play to win the conference's regular-season championship.

MWC loses All-CAC first baseman Tasha Thomas (.364) and starting 3B Pam Williams to graduation but does welcome back several key performers. The top of the lineup seems secure with the return of speedster Kara Smith (So./Richmond, VA). As a freshman, Smith stole 41 bases in 46 attempts, shattering the previous MWC record for steals, which was 12. She also hit .378 in route to First-Team All-CAC honors.

Second Team All-CAC performer Nicki Patton (So./Midlothian, VA) showed versatility. She ranked fifth in the CAC in ERA at 2.61, and she is the top returning pitcher. At the plate, she hit .361 with a school-record 14 doubles and a team-high 21 RBI. Another top newcomer in '95 was catcher Sara Goode (So./Vienna, VA), who hit a team best .405 with a school-record eight triples and a .676 slugging percentage.

Two-year starter Tracy Phillips (Sr./Poquoson, VA) adds defensive stability to the outfield, while Tasha Stancill (Sr./Falls Church, VA) is a three-year starter at shortstop. Outfielder Carin Gsellman (Sr./Reston, VA) is also a dependable performer. Newcomers who saw spot duty and produced in key situations were catcher Liz Galton (So./Strasburg, VA) and outfielder Julie Smith (So./Midlothian, VA).

Pitcher Jenny Adams (So./ Alexandria, VA) went 2-0 with a 1.75 ERA as MWC's #3 pitcher in '95. According to Conway, another talented recruiting class, coupled with the improvement of last year's young returnees could spark a return to excellence.