COEUR d'ALENE - With only four players back with starting experience this season, North Idaho College softball coach Don Don Williams will try her luck with 13 freshmen on this year's roster of 19 players.

"We're going to be much younger this year," Williams said. "We have a big group of freshmen that are going to be a big part of what we do."

NIC opens its season today at the Kickoff Classic in Henderson, Nev.

Sophomore Jenifer Rosie returns to the circle for NIC following a 6-7 record in 34 appearances last season, with a team low 4.41 earned run average.

NIC finished 33-27 last season, fourth in the Scenic West Athletic Conference.

"She pitched 50 percent of the innings for us last year," said Williams, who started the NIC program in 1998. "She had a good outing for us as a freshman in the circle last year."

Also filling out the rotation will be freshmen Danielle Hockett, Nicole Atkinson and Emily Perlich.

"Jenifer's sophomore leadership is going to be great for those freshman pitchers," Williams said. "She has a good demeanor on the field and can really help them out. But once you're at a junior college, once they get that early experience, they'll also need to contribute right away."

Behind the plate for NIC will be either freshmen Shelby Carter or Ciara Hernandez.

"There's a big learning curve with the freshmen in the circle and behind the plate," Williams said. "They've had to learn our system and what we do. Carter has a great bat and will contribute right away offensively. It's just going to be a matter of getting them comfortable because we're asking a lot of these freshmen to play right away."

Sophomore KaSara Wise takes over at third base for Desirae Tinoco, who is redshirting this season. Wise played center field and shortstop at NIC last season.

Kelsey LaVaute is also redshirting this season for NIC after starting in right field last season.

"I consider Des one of the best third basemen we've had in our history," Williams said. "KaSara has some experience there and has an explosive bat. I think she'll do well."

Starting at shortstop will be former Coeur d'Alene High standout Jessica Lupinacci, with Golden State College transfer Kelsey Krueger also competing for playing time there.

"Jessica had a great fall season," Williams said. "She's really swinging the bat well."

Krueger, a sophomore, was originally recruited to Pensacola State College in Florida, but returned home to Huntington Beach, Calif., after one season.

"She got injured and had to come home," Williams said. "When she went to Golden State, the competition level wasn't that great and she really wanted to get back into the NJCAA level. She's really been quite surprising."

Sophomores Brianna Bishop and Ashley Moon round out the infield at second and first base.

Roaming the outfield will be a mix of freshmen including Amber Meyers, Jordan Schmerer, Ashlen Ayers and Fernandez.

"We'll need to find out who is going to produce," Williams said. "We've got all freshmen out there, so we'll use this weekend to see where we're at."

Nina Goodwin of Coeur d'Alene High and Tori Schuler of Post Falls will be role players for NIC, which plays Arizona Western, Pima and Yavapai today.

NIC opens SWAC play on Feb. 8 against NJCAA runner-up Salt Lake in St. George, Utah, the same site that this year's national tournament will be played on May 17-19.

"Salt Lake is always a tough team to play," Williams said. "CSI always has a competitive team that hits the ball well. Snow has also improved. There's really no easy road to regionals. We'll need to play well to compete."

NIC's scheduled home opener at Memorial Field is against Snow on Feb. 17.

"We're just excited to get going," Williams said. "I think we're going to be improved in the circle and going to be stronger than last year."

NIC will also conclude this weekend's classic against South Mountain Community College of Phoenix and Phoenix College on Saturday, Yavapai on Sunday and conclude with a doubleheader against Chattanooga State (Tenn.) on Monday.