Cornell has the players to field a freshman softball team. The trouble is, they're having to take the field as varsity.

The Raiders enter the 2008 season with a roster of 13 players, nine of whom are ninth graders. For new head coach Megan Carpenter, that provides hope for the future, but a serious challenge right now.

"I told my pitchers that you just have to walk into the game and not stress yourself out with expectations," Carpenter said.

"We'll do what we can do, but have fun with it. Not to take the competitiveness out, but there's a realistic factor, too. It's like we're playing out of our age group."

As for Cornell's four returning players, they will make up the Raiders' infield. Mary Nolte takes the job at first place, Ashley Shoecraft will play second, April Bucek will line up at shortstop and Melissa Metheny handles the duties at third base.

"We're in the stage of figuring things out, but our seniors and upperclassmen have been good leaders," Carpenter said.

That leaves the work in the pitcher's circle to freshmen, and Carpenter will look to get innings from two of her first-year players, Jessica Patrick and Lindsay Grannis.

"I can't predict what will happen, but if we go out and try hard, who knows what we can do?" Carpenter said.