UNO will open its season without its starting shortstop and second baseman.

Molly Feichtinger, a senior shortstop from Omaha Marian, is day-to-day with a back injury. She has yet to swing a bat or do any fielding.

“We have to play like she’s not coming back,’’ coach Jeanne Scarpello said.

Ashley Lynch, a senior from Bellevue West, broke her elbow a week before the fall season and is just starting to throw for the Mavericks, who open Feb. 11 against Green Bay at the Northern Iowa tournament.

Dana Elsasser, a sophomore from Hershey, Neb., will head the pitching staff along with Western Nebraska transfer Ashton Hughes and Kat Barrow, a freshman from Kearney, Mo., who threw a lot in the fall.

“We’re going in with a brand new staff,’’ Scarpello said.