MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's softball team played 20 games against four opponents last season. The Rams' last home contest was held back in the spring of 2019. Only one of the current players has experienced a full collegiate season at Cornell.
 
It's safe to say the Rams are anxious to return to normalcy as the 2022 campaign gets underway this weekend.
 
"In many ways, we're going to be starting from scratch," said fifth-year head coach Jackie Sernek. "We have a great group. We're going to learn and soak up as much as we can in preparation for the conference schedule. Our young players need to understand the new routines. Change is going to be okay."
 
The Rams are young and talented, and expected to contend once again in the Midwest Conference. Cornell is picked third in the MWC Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Rams received 49 points, 13 more than fourth-place Grinnell.
 
Defending champion Illinois College is the favorite with 63 points and seven first-place votes. Lake Forest is second with 58 points and two first-place nods.
 
Cornell opens play under the roof Saturday at the Rochester Dome Games in Rochester, Minn. The Rams face Macalester at 2 p.m., followed by an early test at 4 p.m. against 2021 American Rivers Conference champion Luther.
 
The Rams head to Clermont, Fla., for 10 games against quality competition over Spring Break from March 4-9. The long-awaited home opener at the newly-constructed, all-turf Van Metre Family Softball Field is scheduled for March 30 against Dubuque.  
 
"We practiced all fall on our new field and were really glad to get on it," Sernek said. "I think it will be an advantage for us to play on turf."
 
The Rams have strung together 10 consecutive winning seasons, excluding the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign. Cornell brings back seven starters from last year's squad that went 13-7 overall and took runner-up in the MWC South Division with an 8-6 mark.
 
Junior catcher Claire Gugerty and junior first baseman Zoie Harvey were named First Team All-South Division a year ago. Gugerty hit .324 with 19 RBIs and a .574 slugging percentage. Harvey led the Rams with 21 RBIs and 146 putouts.
 
Infielders Erin Puck (.316 BA, 14 runs), Caitlin Babcock (.319 BA) and Mary Puffet (.316 OB %) join outfielders Marissa Faletti (.311 OB %) and Chardaye Beltran (.455 OB %) as full-time starters a year ago. Faletti is the lone senior on the 26-player roster.
 
The Rams also return starting experience from Julissa Rivera (.333 BA), Mady Rainey (.313 BA), Alyssa Pearson (.286 BA) and Dalyn Wondra.
 
Pearson, a junior left-hander, heads a youthful pitching staff with 68.2 innings pitched last season. She went 8-4 with a 2.65 earned run average, striking out 52 batters and walking 18.
 
Cornell's deep team features 19 freshmen and sophomores.
 
"I'm excited to see their improvement," Sernek said. "We have a very coachable group. They're all competitive. Consistency will the key with our youth, how we find the balance of grinding through a season and staying engaged."