OWENSBORO, Ky. – The UIndy softball team returns to the diamond after a lengthy absence, opening the 2021 campaign in Owensboro, Ky., with four games at the Blue Ridge Battle. The Greyhounds are ranked No. 17 in the latest DII Coaches Poll and while enter the season as the favorite to win the GLVC.
 
Head Coach Melissa Frost and her Greyhounds compiled a 14-5 record last spring before the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Add that to the fact that weather concerns have pushed back the season opener on two separate occasions, the Hounds are hungry for competition.
 
"I think with our games being pushed back, it's given us two more weeks to prepare," said Frost, who is entering her 17th season as program leader. "I do think it's made us a little antsier because it's been like 349 days or something of that nature since we last took the field.
 
"So I think with COVID, we've been very antsy to take the field, and then with the snow hitting, it's really given us a little more time to prepare and time to fine tune what we needed to."
 
Frost will welcome back the largest senior class she's ever had at UIndy, as eight experienced seniors highlight the talented roster. The senior class is highlighted by decorated individuals such as All-Midwest Region hurler Hallie Waters and All-GLVC selections Haylie Foster, Sydnie Foster, Gianni Iannantone and Brooke Montgomery.
 
"I think they're pivotable," noted Frost of her senior class and its influence on the team's success. "I think to watch them mature and grow over the last three years and then to have their season cut short last year, it really lit a fire in them and I think they're hungrier than ever. I know a lot of teams across the country say that, but I think this team is really something special in regards to how they're handling their business and really just their readiness and wanting to play."
 
In addition to the veterans, the Greyhounds should see some key contributions from a number of underclassmen this season, a prospect that brings a smile to the UIndy head coach..
 
"I think it's super exciting," admitted Frost. "I feel like even though we have a lot of returners, we're a totally different team, and I feel like we have a little bit of a different style.

"I think that we're going to see a lot of different faces in and out of the lineup, which I think is awesome because this is probably one of the deeper teams that we've had. I think we have such a talented freshman class and combined with the returners that we have, I think it's going to make for a fun year to watch UIndy softball."
 
The Greyhounds officially kick off the season on Saturday with an in-region meeting with Trevecca Nazarene. First pitch is set for 11 a.m. ET.