This is definitely not last season for the Lincoln softball team, and the Blue Tigers only need to look at two places to see the difference - the pitching circle and the dugout.
Both of those places are much deeper this time around, and that's a relief for Lincoln coach Nicole Stacey.
"Last year, I had what I had and they had to stay out there even if they were hurt," Stacey said.
Heading into today's season-opening doubleheader against Drury at 1 p.m. at Lincoln Field, the Blue Tigers boast a roster of 14 - and four of them are pitchers.