MOORHEAD, Minn. -- The Minnesota State University Moorhead softball team opens its 2014 season on Tuesday against the University of Minnesota Duluth in West St. Paul, Minn. The nonconference twinbill begins at 11 a.m. at the West St. Paul Dome.

MSUM is entering its fourth season under Head Coach Kelsey Fehl. The Dragons have just one senior on their roster along with five juniors, four sophomores and seven freshmen.

"We have a young team that is improving every day," Fehl said. "We are hoping that can carry over to the season."

The team returns six starters from a year ago, led by junior catcher Brittany York, junior shortstop Taylor Huss and junior outfielder Mollie Annen. York, an outstanding defensive catcher who had just one error a year ago, started all 43 games a year ago and hit .256 with three homers and 15 RBI (second on the team).  Huss started all 43 games at shortstop with four doubles, two homers and eight RBI.  Annen started all 43 games in the outfield and hit .230 with a team-high nine doubles and seven RBI.

Sophomore second baseman Kristen Nordby returns after starting 41 games a year ago. She had three homers and 13 RBI in 102 at-bats. Junior outfielder Rachel Sannicandro started all 43 games a year ago and hit .202 but had a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage. Sophomore Kristy Bruni started 28 games a year ago, playing at the designated player and outfield positions, and shared the team lead with four home runs.

Sophomore Morgan Nybo anchors the pitching staff after leading the team with 94.2 innings pitched a year ago. Nybo started 18 games and led the team in wins (four), strikeouts (55) and innings pitched (94.2) Nordby is also expected to see time on the mound in addition to her second-base duties; Nordby appeared in eight games a year ago and pitched 21.1 innings. Senior Alexa D'Onofrio could also see time on the mound but has been battling an injury so far in preseason practice.

The Dragons will count on several freshmen to contribute immediately. Freshman Lauren Meeker, who had an impressive career at Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln (Iowa), will likely take over at first base, with sophomore Shannon Smith a candidate to see time there.

Nordby is back at second base but freshman Jill Fox, a native of Gurnee, Ill,  is expected to play there when Nordby pitches.  Huss is back at shortstop with freshman Kristina Villalobos expected to start at first base. Freshmen Hannah Klug and Katelyn Ramberg will provide depth in the infield.

York returns at catcher with freshman Sam Gardner backing her up.

Freshman Carly Williamson is expected to start in left field, with Annen manning center field. Sannicandro, junior Heather Tice and Bruni have been battling for the right field spot. Bruni is a leading candidate to play at designated player as well.

After Tuesday's doubleheader, MSUM heads to Florida for its annual Spring Break trip. The Dragons will play 10 games in Florida starting on Saturday, March 15.

About Minnesota Duluth: The Bulldogs are off to a 9-6 start on the season. They split with Concordia-St. Paul in their most recent action on March 4 in West St. Paul. Sami Schnyder leads UMD with a .446 average. Jordan Rice is hitting .391 with five homers and 16 RBI. On the mound, Cayli Sadler is 6-4 with a 2.15 ERA in 52 innings. She has 51 strikeouts.