The Wichita State softball team will start its fall season Saturday playing against experienced old-timers.

The WSU softball alumnae game begins at 2 p.m. Saturday at Wilkins Softball Complex at WSU.

“The alumnae game is a time for all of our players to experience new things,” head coach Kristi Bredbenner said. “We’re there to play, but also to have fun. We want all of our players to get good at-bats with our girls pitching, but come Sunday [against St. Gregory] we will treat that game like a regular season game.”

The Shockers start their fall season in earnest at 1 p.m. Sunday at home against St. Gregory.

Returning players Katie Malone, Jennifer Brooks and Macklin Hitz said they are excited to get back on the field.

“We are expecting to be a good team this year,” Malone said. “We have a lot of potential on the team and everyone looks really good.”

Even with all of the potential, Brooks encouraged players to keep an open mind about switching positions this season.

“We have so many people that can do so many different positions,” Brooks said. “We just need to be open to everything because that’s how you’ll get the best out of everyone.”

Meanwhile, without a returning catcher, Hitz and sophomore Mackenzie Wright are ready to step up.

“We just need to get comfortable behind the plate,” Hitz said. “As a team, though, we need to get back to consistently hitting instead of having up-and-down days.”

While the fall season is just about to begin, the spring season is when it all becomes real — the stakes are higher, the games are longer and the Missouri Valley Championship is waiting.

“We would love to see some students in the stands,” Wright said.