SPOKANE, Wash. - Fresh off of the first NCAA tournament appearance in school history, head coach Fuzzy Buckenberger has added the best incoming group of players to his program with the hope of improving on the success of 2006.

A potentially potent mix of returning and incoming talent could lead those hopes to fruition. But Buckenberger knows that looking good on paper doesn’t help when a team takes the field, a lesson the Pirates learned last year when they were the underdogs.

"Last year’s success will help this year’s team because we know that winning does not depend on looking good on paper," said Buckenberger, who is in his second year leading the Pirates. "Rather, the key to success is good fundamentals and team chemistry."

Buckenberger may earn an advanced degree in chemistry once he’s done blending this year’s mix of new players with last year’s returnees, six of whom were starters. The challenge is such that only one starting position appears solid heading into the spring, and that is at catcher where Lindsay Davis (Sr., Lake Forest, Calif.) is a Second Team All-NWC choice and a three year starter.

The other returnees from 2006 include two-time First Team All-NWC honoree Heather Case (Jr., Poulsbo, Wash.), who started at short stop last season. She batted .397 with 13 doubles, six home runs and 21 RBIs. Sara Rylaarsdam (So., Mount Vernon, Wash.) was the starter at first base, where she batted .265 and was a solid defensive presence. Sarah Froman (So., Lake Stevens, Wash.), Jodi Schock (So., Spokane, Wash.) and Mandee Edwards (So., Kettle Falls, Wash.) were the primary starters in last season’s outfield. Froman batted .314 and added 22 RBIs, Edwards hit .278 and Schock did not commit an error in 39 starts in center field. Rachel Anderson (So., Renton, Wash.) also started 15 games last spring in the outfield and will see plenty of time this year.

The returnees are being challenged for starting time by a strong group of transfers and freshmen. Amber Fowler (Jr., Colville, Wash.) was the team MVP for a CC of Spokane team that finished 37-10 after she belted 24 home runs and added 77 RBIs. Lacey Parry (Jr., Spokane, Wash.) started at short stop for the same team and hit .449. Both were named First Team Community College All-Americans by the NFCA.

Morgan Thomsen (Jr., Spokane Valley, Wash.) was the starter at second base for CCS and was the team’s defensive MVP. Halley Cey (Jr., Spokane, Wash.) was the starter at second base for NCAA Division II St. Martin’s University each of the last two seasons.

Stacey Rose (Fr., Boise, Idaho) and Carrie Gibson (Fr., Sammamish, Wash.) are a pair of first year players who are making immediate impacts in practice. Rose could catch or play first, while Gibson is a utility type player capable of playing across the infield or the outfield. Another freshman, Lacey Kerr (Spokane, Wash.) will give the Bucs amazing depth in the infield.

The pitching looks much like the position player situation. Jennifer Eckhoff (Jr., RHP, Irvine, Calif.) returns after posting a 7-5 record as a starter last spring with some impressive outings, but has been battling persistent injuries. Heather Case has pitching experience as well in her first two seasons and looked solid in the circle this fall.

Jessie LaPlante (Jr., RHP, Rathdrum, Idaho) was the captain on last year’s CC of Spokane team and moved on as the school’s career strikeout leader. Freshmen Hollyann Jones (Henderson, Nev.) and Melodie Ratliff (Cle Elum, Wash.) give Whitworth its deepest pitching staff in the team’s ten year history.

Buckenberger sees a more balanced role for the staff this season after the graduation of 2006 NWC Pitcher of the Year Jo Sonnett.

"This year I will rely on the entire pitching staff," said Buckenberger. "Depending on Jen’s health I anticipate a huge impact from her, along with Jessie LaPlante, who brings a variety of pitches that give her a different look from the rest. Heather Case will also be a part of the pitching staff this season."

Whitworth will open the season with four non-conference games at the Capitol Cup in Newberg, Oregon the weekend of February 24-25. A trip to California follows later with games against 2006 NCAA tournament participants Chapman (Calif.), Williams (Mass.), Redlands (Calif.) and La Verne (Calif.).

The Pirates are picked to finish second in the 2007 NWC Coaches poll, behind three time champion Linfield. Pacific Lutheran, Pacific, Willamette and Puget Sound will also factor into the race. The first NWC series is March 3-4 at Pacific (Ore.).

"I think we are good enough to win the conference," said Buckenberger. "But we learned last year that it’s the little things that make a difference. If we can combine last year’s little things with this year’s talent, we could go a long way."