OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 31, 2019) – When the founder of Oklahoma Christian softball, Tom Heath, retired in May, he said he wanted to make sure to leave a program primed for success for his successor. New coach Shanon Hays certainly is glad Heath did so.

With six seniors among the 10 returning players, along with what projects as potentially one of the best freshman classes in the program's history and two key transfers, OC appears to have the makings of a serious Heartland Conference contender heading into the 2019 season, which will start Friday with games against Western New Mexico and Chadron State (Neb.) in the TAJ Hospitality College Softball Kickoff in Lubbock, Texas.

OC's lineup includes two All-South Central Region honorees (pitcher Madison Hagood and pitcher-first baseman Kaylie Upton) as well as All-Heartland picks including infielders Bailey Strecker and Bridget White and outfielder Kayla Eichler. Transfers Lindsey Stoeckel (Oklahoma State) and Brie Dunckel (Colorado Christian) bring impressive credentials to the Lady Eagles, as do several freshmen.

Hays – known nationally as a coach who can build winning programs fast, having done so at Lubbock Christian (Texas), Texas Tech and (most recently) Colorado Christian – warns not to expect too much from his squad, at least until his players are fully healthy. But he's "cautiously optimistic" about the potential for a squad that went 32-25 last season and reached the title game of the Heartland postseason tournament. OC was picked second in the preseason Heartland poll, a sign those outside the program also think highly of the Lady Eagles.

"It's a solid roster," Hays said. "It's all about being healthy.  Injuries have been our only setback right now. We've got experience and girls that are eager to play. They've had tremendous work ethic from day one and I think it's showing. Physically, everybody has gotten stronger and is in better shape. … I'm anxious to see how it all shakes out."

So much in softball depends on success in the pitching circle and OC appears to be blessed with significant depth at the sport's most important position.

Hagood, a senior left-hander, was the Heartland's pitcher of the year in 2017, posted a 2.46 ERA in 2018 and is the current career leader in saves in NCAA Division II with 16. Upton, a senior right-hander, is able to control games not just with her arm (a 3.31 ERA), but with her bat (.337, 23 RBIs).

Add to the mix Stoeckel, a sophomore who went 25-0 with an 0.81 ERA as a senior at Southmoore High School, one of the state's top prep programs, and freshman Kali Crandall, the Gatorade New Mexico state player of the year for 2018. Crandall was a two-way standout at Artesia High School, going 15-2 with a 1.18 ERA and 115 strikeouts and only 14 walks in 89 innings and hitting .424 with eight home runs and 32 RBIs.

"Kali has been a great addition. She and Kaylie have been our two most consistent," Hays said. "If Madison Hagood can throw how she's been throwing, that just gives us an extra weapon, because she's so different from what people are used to seeing. Lindsey has at times has looked really good. She has a really good change-up and throws hard.

"If we can have consistency in the spring in the circle like we did in the fall, then we've got a chance to have a good season."

Injuries have forced some shuffling of OC's infield lineup, at least for the early part of the season. When not pitching, Upton or Stoeckel could be at first base or in the outfield, and there's a good chance both of their bats will be in the lineup somewhere, as well as Crandall's.

White, a fixture at third base the past three seasons, will move to second base for now, with Strecker (who often played second last season) at third. Dunckel, a sophomore, will usually play at second, but will start the season at shortstop. When healthy, senior Lacey Davidson and junior Caitlin Young – an outstanding defender – will be in the infield mix as well.

"It's hard to have that depth in Division II," Hays said. "Having Brie Dunckel here obviously is a huge shot in the arm for us, because it gives us another athlete up the middle."

Splitting time at catcher will be sophomore Payton Sabolski and freshman Sierra Schultz, and Strecker has shown the ability to catch, too, when necessary.

There's plenty of experience and depth in the outfield, too. Eichler, a senior, was among Division II's leaders with 20 doubles last season. Sophomore Daelyn Denny has impressed during fall scrimmages and the preseason. Senior Hunter Strickland is an outstanding defender who can chase down fly balls and freshman Logan Menzies is one of the team's top power hitters. Another freshman, Sydney Smith, can handle either outfield or infield positions, depending on the need.

OC will enter its sixth season playing in one of Division II's top facilities, Tom Heath Field at Lawson Plaza, and the facility's reputation has grown to the point that OC will play 38 of its 56 games at home, which figures to be a boon for such an experienced squad. The Lady Eagles will not have to play a single nonconference true road game.

Everything appears set up for a good season.

"You can't teach them experience," Hays said. "Having the experience we have, with the senior leadership we have, if they all do what they're capable of doing, then we'll have a successful year."