MINNEAPOLIS -- For the Augsburg College softball team, last year is last year, and this year is this year.

Last year was a special one, as the Auggies claimed one of the most dramatic turnarounds in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference softball history, rallying from a 4-14 start to the season with a 16-9 finish, ending up qualifying for postseason play for the first time since 1984, earning the team's first MIAC postseason playoff berth in the tournament's five-year history, and finishing 20-23 overall and 15-7 in MIAC play -- the first 20-win season for the Auggies since 1995.

But this year is a whole new ballgame for the Auggies. The team will continue to be young, with just three seniors and more newcomers (nine) than returners (eight). But there is depth and versatility among all the players, and the quality of their play is an encouraging sight for head coach Tim Gormley and his staff.

“I think confidence is a yearly thing. What we did last year is last year, and it's a different team this year with new personalities and a new chemistry,” said Gormley, last season's MIAC Coach of the Year, entering his third season as the Auggies' mentor. “This year, it's been very positive and a great adjustment to having new personnel on this squad. The team has been working really hard, and I think with that, there's a burning desire, from the first player all the way to the last player, of wanting to get better. This year's confidence will build upon itself.”

Of the eight returners, six were starters last year, and combined with a very strong and talented recruiting and transfer class, prospects are good for the Auggies to continue to show improvement, and perhaps contend for another berth in the four-team conference postseason playoffs.

“We're a very athletic team, but we're also going to be young. My expectation is that we'll be better softball players, and a better softball team, by the end of the year. If we win some games along the way, that's a bonus,” Gormley said. “My goal every year is that our players become better softball players, and that they appreciate the game and the history of the game -- from the ladies that began this program years ago up to now. I hope that they are improving to a point where each year, we're contending for the MIAC tournament.”

In the pitching circle, the Auggies' two primary pitchers return -- senior Sarah Green (SR, Winnebago, Minn./Blue Earth Area HS) and junior Melissa Larsen (JR, Andover, Minn.). Green went 12-11 for the Auggies last season in 33 game appearances, striking out 106 batters while walking just 55. Her 210 career strikeouts put her fourth in school history. Larsen pitched in 29 games and struck out 41 batters. Gormley also has the luxury of having several other players on the roster with pitching experience who can fill in when needed.

Versatility is one of the strong points of the Auggie roster, and nowhere is that more evident than in the play of infielder Tiffany Magnuson (SR, Green Bay, Wis./Notre Dame Academy HS), who played three positions last year -- second base, first base and pitcher. Magnuson enters the 2009 season as one of only two MIAC seniors to have earned All-MIAC first-team honors each of their first three seasons. Last season, she also earned National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Midwest Region third-team honors.

In her career, Magnuson enters her senior season hitting .379 on her career as the team's leadoff hitter, along with a .517 slugging percentage and .446 on-base percentage.

In the infield, Green and Larsen will share first-base duties, along with Magnuson and newcomer Kylee Persing (FY, Mound, Minn./Mound-Westonka HS). Steph Saxe (FY, Stacy, Minn./North Branch HS) should also see time in the Auggie infield. Jessa Hinz (SO, Richfield, Minn.) moved from the outfield to the infield midway through last season and became the Auggies' starting shortstop.

At third base, last year's MIAC Rookie of the Year, Jennifer Castillo (SO, Minneapolis, Minn./Washburn HS) returns. A sparkplug in the lineup, Castillo led the team with a .403 batting average last year, to go along with 19 runs scored, six doubles, 22 RBI and 11 stolen bases. Her defensive ability has also shown strong improvement.

Behind the plate, Brittney Bruzek (SO, Alexandria, Minn./Jefferson HS) transfers into the program after playing her first year at St. Thomas. Her experience will provide key strength at the position, Gormley noted. Behind her will be returner Ashley Whittenburg (SO, Brooklyn Center, Minn.) and newcomer Sabrina Siple (FY, Farmington, Minn.).

In the outfield, several Auggies will be competing for playing time, including returner Sarah Mueller (SR, Green Bay, Wis./Southwest HS), a speedy defensive player who has battled injuries throughout her career, but has developed a reputation as a solid centerfielder.

Laura Strandell (SO, Pine Island, Minn.) also returns to the outfield, and will be joined by several newcomers in challenging for time -- Cassie Crego (FY, Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North HS), Brittany Ranallo (FY, St. Anthony Village, Minn.), Hannah Askew (FY, Wadena, Minn./Wadena-Deer Creek HS), Amanda Schwartz (FY, Becker, Minn.), Sammie Wagner(FY, Stillwater, Minn.) and Saxe.