Those words, spoken by RPI softball coach Erika Lewis, describe the Red Hawks’ 2005 campaign. Last year saw the Red Hawks get out to an eye-popping 17-2-1 start. They would stumble down the stretch, however, finishing the season on a 3-4-1 skid, including a sweep at the hands of bitter rival Union that handed the Liberty League crown to the Dutchwomen.

Last year, however, is exactly that—last year. “We’ve left last season behind us,” commented Lewis. “We have a lot of confidence and we’re ready to go.”

This season’s squad bears only slight resemblance to last year, as five freshmen and one sophomore transfer will look to replace five departed Red Hawks. Former first baseman and captain Lizzie Vitaliano ’05 graduated. Senior Shannon Quinn is medically ineligible for the second consecutive year. Junior Abby Eldridge joins Quinn on the disabled list. Fellow classmate Katie Mahoney is graduating early, and to do so has taken on too much of a workload to play softball. Junior slugger Melissa Manzo was cut, and junior pitching ace Nikki Dooley chose not to play.

Lewis, however, is far from concerned. “This is, without a doubt, the most athletic team I’ve ever had,” boasted the fifth-year head coach. “Every position is at least two-people deep.”

The team will miss Vitaliano’s less tangible qualities. “She brought a lot of focus and enthusiasm to the team, as well as her ability,” commented Lewis. “But, we have a good core of captains this year that will hopefully fill the void.”

This year, the team will be led by tri-captains Amy Huling, Stephanie Vanek, and Katherine Valenta. Huling and Vanek, both seniors, enjoyed solid years in 2005 and are very familiar with Lewis’ system. Vanek was also a co-captain last year. Valenta, a junior, has enjoyed two stellar years for the Red Hawks so far. Lewis will be looking to all three players to lead by example with this year’s freshman-heavy squad.

Lewis is not worried about having such a young team, however, as she foresees a lot of positives coming from her first-year players. “Having a young team, they bring a lot of enthusiasm,” remarked Lewis. “[The freshmen] know the game. They’re very experienced, and they’re going to be a force to be reckoned with.”

After returning yesterday from their 14-game Florida road trip, Lewis appears to be a sage thus far. Freshman pitcher Michelle Street saw action in nine games, including six starts. The East Syracuse, N.Y., native tallied a perfect 5-0 record, recording two shutouts and two saves. The most impressive stat, however, is her earned run average. In 42.2 innings on the mound so far this season, Street has yet to allow an earned run.

“Michelle brings a lot of experience,” said Lewis. “She is going to be a force on the mound for us.”

Street was not the only Red Hawk who flourished in the Florida sunshine, however. Huling and Vanek, the other two pitchers in Lewis’ rotation, have a combined record of 8-1, tallying 49 strikeouts in 44.1 innings.

Offensively, six Red Hawks currently enjoy batting averages over .400, with freshman shortstop Sara Finkbeiner leading the way at .474. RPI has slugged 14 homeruns in 2006, already eclipsing last year’s total of 11. Lewis’ troops are also lightning on the base paths, stealing 22 bases in as many attempts so far. Vanek, the team’s lead-off hitter, has led this category every season of her career and the trend appears to be continuing. She is first on the team with 10 stolen bases.

After returning from Florida with an impressive 13-1 mark, the Red Hawks will now look to carry that momentum throughout their league schedule, something they were unable to do last year.

“Our goal is to stay focused from start to end,” said Lewis. “We want to win the league and hopefully put ourselves in a position for an NCAA bid.”