Morton College softball coach Brian Salapatek's message to his team is that they need to "take it one pitch at a time" and "to control the things we can control."

The Panthers' opening weekend series at the Top Gun Midwest College Classic in Shawnee, Kansas serves as an opportunity to put Salapetek's preseason preachings into action.

A winter storm predicted to hit the Midwest has wiped out on Sunday's (March 1) scheduled game against defending NJCAA Division III national champion North Dakota State College of Science.

Instead of playing twice to open the season Friday (February 27), the Panthers start with three games in one day with Allen, St. Louis and Metropolitan. Morton College then wraps up the weekend with State Fair and Northeast the next day.

"We're looking forward to opening up in Kansas," said Salapatek, who is starting his second season at Morton College. "We're going to face some really good teams and it will give us a chance to see where we're before starting Skyway and Region 4 play."

The Panthers will hang their hats on pitching and defense, according to Salapatek. 

Ella Kempf, a freshman, will be Morton College's No. 1 pitcher and bat clean-up. Kempf's one of the reasons why Salapatek believes the Panthers have upgraded their skills in the circle from a year ago.

"Ella's looked really solid in practice," Salapatek noted. "She's developed a lot of new pitches."

Harmony Macias, who has come up a nice change up, is Morton College's No. 2 pitcher. She'll be in center field and Salapatek thinks Macias has the qualities to play the position well because of her speed and an accurate arm.

While Salapatek has had to move players to different positions, he likes the way the Panthers have adapted. 

"We've moved people around a little bit where we're playing different positions than expected," Salapatek said. "It's developing nicely. Things will come down to how we play defense and how fast we pick it up."

Salapatek usually doesn't designate captains, but the work habits of sophomore shortstop Alexa Navarro are worthy of earning the right to wear the "C" on her jersey. Navarro is Morton College's leading returning hitter with a .298 batting average and 15 RBI.

"Alexa is the person I want everyone to emulate," Salapatek said. "She does an awesome job of being a leader."

Sophomore Aliya Garcia, who hit .264 with 11 RBI last year, gets the nod at first base. She'll also be penciled in the middle of the Morton College batting order. Garcia's .955 fielding percentage also was tops last season for the Panthers.

Malia Solis, a sophomore, will be all over the place, according to Salapatek, who sees her at either shortstop, second base or the outfield. Solis had eight stolen bases in 2025.

Alayna Cain, a freshman, will be in left field. Salapatek likes her range in the outfield and says Cain has developed so much from the first day of the fall exhibition season to the spring campaign.

Mia Briseno, a freshman, has made the transition from third base to second. 

"I'm impressed how quickly she's picked things up," Salapatek said. "Her bat speed is pretty fast. It's going to be a matter of getting used to college pitching."

Isabela Medina, a freshman, will catch and be expected to be penciled in among the first few places in the Panther batting order. Medina also is capable of contributing at third base and the outfield.

Mariah Urbina, a freshman, will be in right field or serve as the designated hitter. 

"She has a solid bat," Salapatek observed. "She's a really good contact hitter. If the ball is hit to her in the outfield, she'll make the play."

Oliver Vicens, a freshman, also will catch. Salapatek likes her defensive acumen.

Freshman Stephanie Marchan and sophomore Sofia Ronsoni are working hard daily to improve and find ways to contribute, added Salapatek.

Morton College's 6-27 mark a year ago doesn't fully reflect the strides the Panthers made in Salapatek's first season. 

The Panthers beat Elgin three times in the same season for the first time since 1988. Also, Morton College strung together three consecutive games of double-digit run production. That's something last accomplished back in 2018.

The Panthers also will head to North Myrtle Beach, S.C., to play eight games in four days at the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic March 16 to 19 before starting Skyway Conference play March 24th at Waubonsee.