The Western Oklahoma State softball team will begin its season on Saturday when they travel to Clarendon, Texas, to take on Clarendon College.

The Pioneers are coming off a 2011 campaign that resulted in a 47-14 record.

The 2011 team also was ranked as high as number nine in the country and led the country in home runs with 94.

The Pioneers are returning five starters and three first team All-Region players (Ty Washington, Marthat Thomas, Samantha Betts) from a year ago. Washington, who will return at centerfield, hit .361 with 11 home runs and 27 stolen bases a year ago. Thomas will continue at second base and try to add to her .392 averagewith 16a home runs and 58 rbi’s. Betts is coming off a 30 win campaign in the circle where she also struck out 187 batters and was second nationally in innings pitched.

“We’re looking forward to getting started,” said head coach Mike McBrayer.

“You get to a point where you just want to see somebody in the other dugout and find out how much you have progressed in the fall and winter. We have a chance to do some good things this year with some productive returners and some freshman that have a chance to make an early impact.”