There's going to be a lot of new faces in the North Idaho College softball lineup this season.

A lot.

Sophomore Kylene Hatton, who played second base last season, was the team's leadoff hitter last year and is the lone returner with substantial experience. She'll be moving to left field this season.

"She led the team in batting and was an all-Region 18 selection," NIC coach Don Don Williams said. "I really think it helps her because we've got some really good infielders and she does a great job out there. She came here as an infield/outfielder, but we just used her there (in the infield) last year."

Also back are sophomore pitchers Hunter Allen of East Valley High in Spokane and Laura Potts from Cle Elum, Wash.

"Hunter had some growing pains last year, but is looking good so far," Williams said. "We're really excited to see her play. Laura got minimal time last year also, but we're hoping for good things from her as well."

From there, it's a lot of unknown for NIC, which finished 24-35 last year, and third in the Region 18 tournament.

"Last year, we didn't have much depth," said Williams, who is in her 17th season as head coach. "We have more depth in a lot of positions. I think that we'll be much improved defensively and we're going to produce runs."

Around the infield, Madison Anthony of Skyview High in Vancouver, Wash., will play third base, Allison Paladeni - a high school teammate of Anthony's - will be at shortstop. Marissa Tarin (Winchester, Calif.) at second base and Miranda Powless of Colton, Calif., at first base. Powless, a lefty, will also pitch this year in a relief role.

"She's a power hitter," Williams said of Powless. "She's got great feet also and can really play defensively. Madison is a complete offensive and defensive player and will definitely be one of the top players in the Scenic West Athletic Conference."

Paladini transferred to NIC after playing at Lower Columbia College in Longview, Wash., as a freshman.

"She has great range and can give us some more quickness up the middle of the field," Williams said. "It will be nice to have that. Miranda is just a quick, great little infielder. She's a smart player and definitely will be a big boost for our infield."

Taking over behind the plate will be freshman Jammie Madonna of Colville.

"Jammie is probably one of the best defensive catchers we've had in a while," Williams said. "She's got a great arm and will do great behind the plate for us."

Teadora Parker, a freshman from Walnut, Calif., will be in center field and Hayden Fields of Arlington, Wash., in rightfield when the Cardinals open the season today in the Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas.

NIC will face Arizona Western at 8 a.m., 18th-ranked Eastern Arizona at 2 p.m. and fourth-ranked Pima at 4:30, then take on Phoenix College on Saturday at 1 p.m. and No. 14 Gulf Coast at 6 to conclude the tournament.

"We've got a good mix of speed and have some better pitching on the roster this year," Williams said. "I think we're strong enough to do some good things this year."

Kellsi Parson, who finished the season as an outfielder last year, didn't return. Neither did Shanika Sawyer, who transferred to Columbia Basin College in Pasco, Wash.

"Kellsi wanted to finish soccer, so she's doing that," Williams said. "She was doing it (softball) as a favor because of all our injuries last year. We'd love to have her back though. Shanika wanted to get a little closer to home."

Cyndee Bennett takes over the program at Salt Lake Community College after coach Mary Kay Amicone left to take the head coaching job at Weber State. Southern Idaho is ninth in the NJCAA preseason poll. Salt Lake is 16th.

Six of the seven teams in the SWAC with the exception of Snow College are in the Las Vegas tournament.

"We'll know more about our team and others in our league after this weekend," Williams said. "Everyone in the league is freshman heavy this year. It's going to be interesting watching them play this year. We're going to have to compete, but we feel we've put together a good roster to do that."

The conference champion will host the Region 18 tournament May 7-10, with the winner advancing to the NJCAA tournament May 14-17 in St. George, Utah.