With the Southern Tier still suffering from below-freezing temperatures and single-digit wind chills, even Chicago Cub Hall of Famer Ernie Banks would think twice about uttering his legendary phrase “Let’s play two!” in this weather. Luckily for the Binghamton University softball team, they got to open their 2009 season with doubleheaders this past Friday and Saturday in the mild weather of San Francisco in the Gael Classic Tournament hosted by Saint Mary’s College.

It is a new beginning of sorts for the softball team. After a last-place 7-37 record last year, plagued by injuries and close losses, the Bearcats look to rebound with an infusion of new players and improved team chemistry.

“We have a lot of good chemistry this year and it’s going to be a more fun season this year. Different players bring in different [attributes],” said sophomore catcher Deannie Plemon.

Junior pitcher Cyrilla Suker added, “this year has been huge for us in many ways. I think the chemistry between all the girls are much stronger … I think it will just blend on how we play on the field.”

With players coming back from injuries and nine new faces on the roster, many positions are still up for grabs in the Bearcats lineup.

Center field is not one of those positions, though. Senior Sandy Meadows, the only four-year player currently on the team, is the Bearcats’ best returning hitter, as she finished second on the team with a .252 batting average in 2008. Meadows also brings speed and a slick glove to the plate for Binghamton as she led the team with 16 stolen bases, and all starters with a .986 fielding percentage last year.

The other outfield positions will most likely be platooned as the season begins, but senior utility player Michelle Olivieri, who started every game last year, should see the majority of the time in left field for the Bearcats.

With only 17 home runs last year, improving the power numbers is a primary concern for the Bearcats. Expected to lead the way is Plemon, whose team-leading five home runs and defensive prowess behind the plate put her on the America East All-Rookie team.

“I could really see [Plemon] with the bat; she is a really good hitter and I could see her having a big season,” Suker said.

The Bearcats infield has a new look and a lot of Stephanies. An Endicott native, sophomore Stephanie Kolodziejski adds another power bat to the lineup at first base. Junior transfer Stephanie Valencia has seen the majority of time at second base so far this season, while time at third base has been split by sophomore Steph DeLuca and a non-Stephanie, freshman Colleen Whitaker.

Two familiar faces return with a group of fresh faces to round out the Bearcats pitching staff.

Suker returns to the rotation after a broken wrist prematurely ended her 2008 season and led to a medical redshirt.

“I did rehab and treatment [on the wrist] all summer long and all through the fall, and still even now, so it’s strong,” Suker said.

After five starts last season, sophomore Nicole Constantatos looks to play a larger part in the rotation along with freshmen Kristen Emerling and Meghan Tucker, both of which had strong performances in their first career starts at Saint Mary’s.

As for the Gael Classic, it was a tale of two days for the Bearcats. After losing 9-1 and 8-0 to Brown and Saint Mary’s, respectively, on Friday. Binghamton got revenge on Saturday, though, as Emerling got a 1-0 shutout in her first career start as a Bearcat, and fellow freshman Tucker followed up with five strong innings in her first start, a 4-3 victory over Saint Mary’s.

Meadows led the way with the bat for the Bearcats, averaging .455 in the four games with the team’s only home run in the tournament. Suker also picked up her first save of the season in the win over Saint Mary’s.

Binghamton stays on the road this weekend, this time going down to Virginia to participate in the Spartan Classic, hosted by Norfolk State. First game is 9 a.m. Saturday morning against Norfolk State.