The weather has put a damper on the softball team’s plan to practice outside before starting its 2014 season.

“We have only been outside on dirt like once,” Softball Head Coach Sue Kunkle said. “For us to actually to see a field and get to play on it, it’s going to be nice.”

The Eagles will play their first game of the season in Alabama for the Charger Chillout Tournament Friday and Saturday.

“We’re itching to play. Being in the gym every day is old. It gets old,” Kunkle said.

The Charger Chillout hosts some of the top teams in the nation, Kunkle said.

“Those are the games that prepare us for conference play,” she said. “We try to load our schedules with good teams because you have to play good teams to be good.”

USI came off its season with a 30-22 record overall (17-15 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference).

“We feel very prepared. We are very, very talented. We are expecting big things,” Kunkle said. “After coming off of a great season last year, we have our nucleus – all of our starters back.”

Nothing is set in stone with the lineup yet.

“We have so many options for a lineup right now. I think that all of our kids, to be honest, will make a contribution,” Kunkle said. “It’s like we have an entire roster with impact players. It’s a really good problem for a coach to have. I want them to keep fighting for their spots every day. I think this weekend will be a good test for us.”

While the coaches aren’t quite sure of the lineup, the women have it all figured out, senior Toni Braun said.

“We all discussed it,” Braun said. “It’s completely different from last year. We didn’t graduate anybody. We know everyone is going to have their time on the bench, but everyone is going to play.”

Braun played second base last season, and she’s been working that position again, but they may switch it up.

“I may go to third base, but I’ll probably transition back to second,” she said.

Braun said to keep an eye out for freshman Grace Clark from Indianapolis. Clark played for the Indianapolis Gators travel squad. She hit .435 with three home runs and 19 runs batted in (RBIs).

“She can play every position, and she’s a power hitter,” Braun said.

Everyone is ready to play outdoors this weekend, Braun said. Even if it’s cold.

“We’re mentally ready for it because of the weather here,” she said. “When the pitchers pitch live, they’re pitching indoors. So it will be different.”

“It will probably be one of the best seasons we’ve had. There’s no excuse not do really well this year,” Braun said. “With the skill and maturity we have on the team this year – four seniors, three juniors. The amount of maturity is really strong.”