The Minnesota Morris softball team fianlly gets to take the field for the 2012 campaign today (Mar. 6) when they take on Macalester in the Rosemount Dome in a 10:30 a.m. doubleheader.

The Cougars season opener, the Scots counter with a 1-1 record on the young season, having already split a doubleheader with Wisconsin-Stout just last week.

Last Meeting: Morris and Macalester met for one game last season, squaring off in Florida on thier spring trip. In the meeting, the Scots got the best of the Cougars, taking a 10-4 win, coming from behind to do so. The Cougars held a 4-1 lead heading into the sixth, but the Scots scored nine runs over the last two innings for the win.

Something To Build On: The Cougars are coming off the best season in program history with 18 wins and a runner-up finish in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC). The Cougars went 15-6 in the UMAC last season, bouncing back nicely from a rough 0-10 start to the season. The 15 UMAC wins and second place finish were each the Cougars' best since joining the league in 2004.

Picked Third In the Preseason: The Cougars just recently were picked for a third place finish in the preseason by the league coaches. St. Scholastica led the way with six first place votes, with Northwestern just ahead of the Cougars in second.

UMM Spring Break: Not quite MTV, but the Cougar softball team will take their act to the Sunshine State beginning Mar. 13. The Cougars will play eight games over a five day stretch in Clermont, Fla. at the National Training Center.

Hamilton Set to Lead: The only senior on the roster, Kelli Hamilton will be looked to for her leadership on a young Cougar squad this season. In the circle last season, She went 3-3 against conference opponents, pitching 41.0 innings in eight starts. She earned UMAC Pitcher of the Week Honors on Apr. 19 after a week where she posted an 0.88 ERA in 16 innings.

Coach of the Year Pennie Set for 14th season: After leading the Cougars to their best season ever, head coach Heather Pennie was named UMAC Coach of the Year by her peers. In 2012 she returns for her 14th season on the bench carrying 118 wins in her career at UMM. She is 61-67 in UMAC games, charting 12, 13 and 15 wins in league action the last three years respectivley. 

Plenty of New Faces: Seven freshman and three transfers will aid the Cougars' line-up this spring. They include freshmen Sam Davis, Mariah Essig, Shelby Johnsrud, Mercedes Klimek, Molly Olson, Liz Skweres and Natasha Wiebold. Sophomore Jordan Iverson and juniors Chelsea and Heather Brown.

About Macalester: Led by new hed coach Jody Gabriel, who comes to Macalester after leading UW-River Falls to a 108-60 record in her tenure, including the 2011 regular season and tournament titles ... currently 1-1  on the season with a split against UW-Stout on Feb. 26 (8-4, W / 1-14, L) ... went 8-30 last season, with just a 1-21 record in the MIAC ... will also spend spring trip in Clermont, Fla., but will not meet Morris ... 2011 squad batted .234 and 6.16 ERA in the pitching staff.