The Maryville softball team, under the direction of new head coach Liz Kelly, starts its 2013 season with five schedules games at the Charger Chillout hosted by the University of Alabama-Huntsville. The games will be played in Decatur, Ala., Feb. 15-17.
 
The Saints start their season Friday, Feb. 15, at 11 a.m. against Franklin Pierce, and challenges Tiffin in a 1p.m. start. Saturday, Feb. 16, Maryville faces in-state rival and future Great Lakes Valley Conference foe Truman State at 1 p.m., and take on North Alabama at 5 p.m. Maryville finishes the tournament Sunday, Feb. 17, with an 11 a.m. tilt versus West Alabama and with a 3 p.m. contest versus host squad Alabama-Huntsville.
 
In 2012, the Saints posted a 15-35 overall record, 8-26 in the GLVC. The duo of Kelsey Kapitzke and Shelby Steinkamp headline the returning players. Last season, Kapitzke batted .403 with 10 home runs and drove in 41 runs. Steinkamp recorded a .344 average, scored 38 runs and stole 16 bases. Karlie Twissleman hit .298 with 39 hits, including seven for extra bases, while Jennifer Maynez launched five homers and drove in 20 RBIs. Julie Jouglard recorded five wins a year ago, finished with a 4.26 ERA and struck out 60 batters in a team-high 146-2/3 innings of work.
 
Maryville’s first home game is Saturday, March 9, when Wisconsin-Parkside comes to town in the Great Lakes Valley Conference opener for both teams in a Noon doubleheader. The next day, Lewis visits for two GLVC games starting at Noon.