As Margo Jonker begins her 20th season at the helm of CMU softball, she will look to the pitchers and catchers and recognize them as key positions for this year's team, but for different reasons.

The pitching staff will be a key because of its experience, the catching position because of its lack of experience.

The Chippewas return their two top pitchers from last season, Anne Foster and Tina Kinney, and expect them to keep producing.

Adding to that production will be two players, Kim Horton and Wendy Stephens, who will be new to the mound for Central.

"I feel very good about the pitching staff. The key will be they have to stay mentally tough and trust themselves and get ahead of the batters," Jonker said.

Anne Foster is a 5-11 senior from Monroe who rose her game to another level last season, totaling 15 wins and seven losses with a 2.16 earned run average and three shutouts to earn a spot on the All-Mid-American Conference second team.

"Anne has improved her pitching in practice again this year," Jonker said.

The other dominant pitcher for Central is a double threat in that she can have as much impact at the plate as on the mound.

Tina Kinney's prowess in both areas earned her MAC Player of the Year honors last season.

Kinney, a 5-8 junior from Glendale, Ca., had similar numbers to Foster on the mound with a 15-10 record and a 2.57 ERA as well as four shutouts.

With the bat, Kinney totaled a team-highs with a .374 batting average as well as three home runs and a .524 slugging percentage.

Kim Horton is a 5-5 sophomore who is listed as a utility player, but who Jonker is looking at to utilize her abilities on the mound this season.

Last season Horton was physically unable to pitch, but she has progressed nicely this season, Jonker said.

"I am very happy with her progress on the mound," Jonker said.

Wendy Stephens is a 5-10 freshman from Mira Loma, Ca. and she will add depth to the pitching lineup.

"Wendy Stephens will make an impact for us as she has excellent ball movement on her pitches already for a freshman," Jonker said.

The catching position should be taken over by freshmen this season to relieve senior Eli Barnes' duties so she may return to her more natural position, center field.

"It's a whole new ballgame this year for us behind the plate with two freshmen," Jonker said.

Lindsay Horvath is a 5-9 freshman who comes in as a catcher and Jonker plans on using her as much as possible.

"Lindsay Horvath caught in high school and caught in summer ball so we will be looking for her to get the job done behind the plate. I think she has the personality to get the most out of our pitching staff, but physically, it's a whole different ball game with our pitchers than her previous pitchers," Jonker said.

The other freshman vying for playing time behind the plate will be the 5-7 Rockford native Becky Manson.

"Becky Manson is an excellent athlete. She has a good arm. She's a good hitter and spent some time in the past catching. We were very impressed seeing her catch last summer," Jonker said.

Finally, there's still the possibility that Barnes will do some catching.

"Eli has moved back to the outfield but could come behind the plate," Jonker said.

The entire defense is based around these two positions, especially the pitchers.

"Defense always starts with pitching. Great defensive teams can make a pitcher better but the pitcher can make the defense also," Jonker said.