
Coach Lois Speziale has four seniors, three juniors, two sophomores and three promising freshmen to improve upon last year’s record.
“Our lineup has a core of returning varsity players with a mixture of talent and experience,” Speziale said. “There is some inexperience, but our younger girls are absorbing what we tell them. Staying healthy will be the key to our success.”
Junior catcher Reecie Gillium (.403, 27 hits), sophomore second baseman Taylor Harmon (.353) and senior shortstop Abby Myers (.300) are the top returning hitters.
Returning center fielder Mallory Storms and senior newcomer Chauncey Johnson add more power. Storms can cover a lot of ground in the outfield with returnees Kylee Gann and Paige Voltz. Senior Shelbi Ledgerwood is at first with sophomore Kayla Woodruff at third.
Freshmen catcher Haven Price, infielder Aerial Keown and pitcher Lexi Ham are expected to have an immediate impact. Ham and Ledgerwood, who pitched only 18 innings last year, are the one-two pitchers, respectively.
“We have relied on just a few hitters in the past, but we need to rely on all nine girls to hit,” Speziale said. “They will need to do everything we ask of them at the plate.”
Speziale has the luxury of players who can play various positions.