Entering just its fifth season of existence, the Clarkson University Softball team looks to take the next step in its evolution in 2018 as the Golden Knights hope to make last year's playoff appearance a regular occurrence from year to year.

The Green and Gold won more than 20 games for the second straight season in 2017 and advanced to the championship round of the Liberty League Tournament before the event was washed out due to rain. More than half of the lineup is back along with two starting pitchers as the Golden Knights will embark on their next campaign beginning this weekend in Salisbury, MD.

2018 Clarkson Softball Schedule
2018 Clarkson Softball Roster
2017 Clarkson Softball Statistics

Key Returners: Senior Summer Lancette is a two-time Liberty League All-Star outfielder who possesses an excellent mix of speed and power. Over the course of her career, Lancette has 47 stolen bases along with 30 extra-base hits, including six home runs. She posted the highest single-season batting average (.432), on-base percentage (.495) and slugging percentage (.611) during her sophomore season, and patrols center field with aplomb. Sophomore Michele Winn made an immediate impact last year for the Knights in the cleanup spot of the lineup, hitting four home runs during the opening weekend of play in 2017. She finished with seven round-trippers along with team bests in total bases (60), runs batted in (31) and slugging percentage (.556). In the circle, sophomore Leah Allen and junior Maggie Stark are back to shoulder more of the pitching load. Allen won five games and added a save in 65.2 innings, while Stark posted three victories and three saves in 32.1 innings.

Key Losses: The Knights saw all-stars Jamie Bridge, Katie Pelton and Ali Schwenzfeier graduate in 2017. Bridge was a four-time all-star as the team's top pitcher and number three hitter, and her contributions in both aspects of the game will sorely be missed. Pelton was the team's second pitcher and a league all-star during her junior year, while Schwenzfeier played both catcher and outfield, serving as a slugging middle of the order hitter. An unexpected loss comes in the way of shortstop Raeanna Dunn, who will miss the season due to injury. A three-time all-star, Dunn led the team in hitting (.346) and stolen bases (18) last season.