DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Keeping things spirited is as important as finding a new catcher for the three-time defending Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champion Bethune-Cookman softball team as fall ball begins Sunday evening.

The Wildcats have seven fall exhibitions slated beginning with a cross-town trip to Embry-Riddle. B-CU will also play Rollins and Daytona State.

Head Coach Chris Cochran will be looking at her team's enthusiasm as much as finding answers to replace departing seniors Sabrina Ferguson behind the plate and Cesley Tafoya at second base.

"In the fall, you want to see your players give their best effort in workouts, in the weight room, and conditioning," Cochran said. "You want to see skill improvement."

Senior Joanna Hernandez and freshman Melissa Berouty are competing for the catcher's spot along with junior Kelsey Rodney, who has played third base the past two seasons.

Shanel Tolbert, who registered 30 victories last season as B-CU's only pitcher, has been joined by Florida Southern transfer Samantha Gale on the mound.

"Sam is a hard worker and the good thing is that she has a year of college experience," Cochran said. "She's athletic and she fields the position well."

B-CU is returning the first three batters of last year's line-up in Calesha Shelley, Aurelia Gamch and Michelle Banuelos-Smith.

"We've always had production from the bottom of the line-up as well," Cochran said."