What do you get when you mix the familiar sound of an aluminum bat connecting with a bright yellow ball, add the warm Florida sun in the sky and throw in the constant chants from the dugout?

The return of softball season.

CLINTON, Iowa - The Ashford University softball program and Head Coach Kyle Yore is proud to announce the addition of graduate assistant coach Karen Marie Peña to the staff effective immediately.

CLINTON, Iowa - Ashford's softball program made some noise on the recruiting front this week, signing a pair of Southeastern Community College transfers in Kaitlin Welch of Bettendorf and Bre Gibson of Davenport for the upcoming season. Welch comes to Ashford as a corner infielder to play first and third base while Gibson is a right-handed pitcher.

DES MOINES, Iowa - Ashford University softball third baseman Whitney Bauer and outfielder Jamie Gillespie were named to the Midwest Collegiate All-Conference Honorable Mention Team, the league announced this afternoon.

A total of 37 student-athletes were part of the all-conference teams as voted by the coaches.

CORALVILLE, Iowa - Ashford University's softball team had nearly twice as many hits as Iowa Wesleyan College, but the Saints couldn't stave off elimination in a season-ending loss at the Midwest Collegiate Conference Tournament, falling 4-1.

Ashford ends its season with 2-43 overall record while Iowa Wesleyan was sent home by Grand View University in the following game.