Bob Timmons knows a few things about fast-pitch softball.

He played in the Cedar Rapids Major Open with Welty Way and Modern Piping, two outstanding ballclubs.

He won 375 games as the head coach at Mount Mercy University from 1983 to 1994 and led the Mustangs to the national tournament four times.

He's won 516 games as the head coach at Coe College the past 16 years, with two trips to the NCAA Division III World Series and a second-place showing in 2009.

Now he's back for more.

"The kids keep me in it," he said Wednesday. "They make it fun."

Timmons has an overall record of 891-356 in 28 years. That makes him the No.2 all-time winner at the Division III level, according to the NCAA record book. He trails only George Wares, the head coach of Central College in Pella who has 977 wins.

Coe is scheduled to open the 2014 campaign with 12 games during its spring trip to Florida, starting Sunday with single games against Aurora University and Trine University, two strong opponents.

"We're looking forward to getting out of this cold weather and seeing what we have," said Timmons. "It's going to be interesting."

The Kohawks feature an all-star battery of pitcher Maddison Woodruff and catcher Abby Flannagan. Both of them have been dealing with ailments, but Timmons is hopeful they'll be able to play in Florida.

Woodruff had a 17-2 record and 2.06 ERA last season as the No.1 pitcher following the 2012 graduation of All-American Ashlee Simon. Woodruff was named the Pitcher of the Year in the Iowa Conference and helped Coe reach the NCAA regional tournament for the third straight year.

"She got to see what it took to be an MVP pitcher and get to the regional tournament by following in the steps of Ashley," said Timmons.

Flannagan, now a senior, was named the Player of the Year in the Iowa Conference as a freshman in 2011. "Unheard of," said Timmons about winning the award as a rookie. "She came in with her feet on the ground and has continued to do very well."

Flannagan was named first team all-conference last year when she hit .450 with 10 homers and 60 RBIs. Timmons said she's also strong behind the plate. "She's gotten better and better as she goes along," he said.

Emily Grell made the all-conference team at first base last season when she hit .388 in league games as a freshman. Danielle Schlotterbeck hit .308 last year with seven homers and 29 RBIs. McCall Meade hit .292 and Taylor Riedl hit .250.

Timmons has 10 freshmen on the 22-player roster and many of them will see the field.

"I have a very good freshman class," he said. "They're getting thrown in there a little earlier than what we thought, but I think they will continue to get better and better as we go along."

ROSTER

Seniors
Maddison Woodruff, P, Emmetsburg
Abby Flannagan, C, West Delaware
Danielle Schlotterbeck, OF, Central City
Nicole Gentile, IF/OF, Martinez, Calif.

Juniors
Marcie Crawford, IF, Mahomet, Ill.
Caitlin Cross, C, Lynnville-Sully
Taylor Riedl, OF/IF, Dubuque Hempstead

Sophomores
Arran Weeces, P, Solon
Gretchen Lilienthal, IF, Durant
McCall Meade, IF, Williamsburg
Emily Grell, IF, Fort Dodge
Jacqueline Naeve, OF, Alburnett

Freshmen
Brianna Gardner, OF, Princeville, Ill.
Mallory McArtor, IF, Mid-Prairie
Alison Givens, IF, Lisbon
Maliah Fligg, P/IF, Clear Creek-Amana
Madeline Jensen, OF, Columbia Heights, Minn.
Erin Lang, IF, Watertown, Wis.
Savannah Marker, IF, Winterset
Brenna Winn, C/IF, North Linn
Haley Smith, C, Pleasant Valley
Kyleigh Munkel, P/IF, Crestwood