If all goes well, the Oxford Varsity girls softball team hopes to finish in the top three of the Flint Metro League and win districts.
‘I find those to be realistic goals,? said Coach Sue Roeher. ‘We’re very capable of doing that barring any major injuries.?
Looking over this year’s 11-member squad, Roeher said, ‘I think we’re young, but experienced.?
Leading the team will be five seniors, four of which have played at the varsity level.
Going into her third year on the team is senior Lauren Lacroix, who will be doing ‘a lot of the catching? and serving as co-captain.
‘Lauren’s very competitive and you see that when she steps between the lines,? Roeher said. ‘She has that will-not-lose attitude.?
With 2? years under her belt, senior Sarah Paszko, the team’s other co-captain, will primarily play first base, her strongest position.
‘She worked on her hitting quite a bit in the off season,? Roeher said. ‘She should surprise some of us as far as her offensive abilities. She’s really stepped up as a leader, too.?
Senior Nicole Laidlaw will be spending most of her time covering left-field, where she did a ‘good job last year.? But look for her to pitch ‘a handful of games.?
‘This year she’s going to have to step up her duties,? Roeher said. ‘I think she’ll do good. She definitely has a role to play as far as senior leadership.?
Senior Breanna May is back for her second year. Roeher said she’ll ‘see more playing time this year? and will probably play right field.
The coach described her as a ‘role player,? meaning she ‘knows her role on the team, fits in where she needs to, goes in when she needs to.?
Spending time in center field and at third base will be senior Rebecca Melcher. It’s her first year on the varsity squad so she needs to get some playing time under her belt, according to Roeher.
Sarah Kessler, the team’s only junior, will be spending her first year on the team primarily in the outfield, although she will be expected to fit in wherever needed.
Leading the team’s younger players will be sophomores Corinne Luxton and Allison Laidlaw.
‘Corinne will be pitching most of the games,? Roeher said. ‘She’s been working real hard in the off-season and improved a ton. She’s also one of the best hitters on the team.?
Laidlaw will continue playing shortstop and probably bat first in the line-up.
‘She’s just an athlete,? Roeher said. ‘She picks things up very quickly and is willing to go all out when she’s on the field.?
Two other sophomores, Chelsea Kessler and Kelly Cartner.
Of Kessler, who will be playing second or third base, Roeher said, ‘She has really busted her tail all off-season to become a very proficient left-handed slapper.?
As for Cartner, who will be serving as one of the team’s two catchers, she’s very versatile, according Roeher.
‘She’s really a utility player,? the coach said. ‘She can play the outfield. She can play second base. She can play third base. She’s going to fit in where we need her.?
Alyssa Hurtado, the team’s lone freshman, will be playing third base and center field.
Roeher said she’ll need to gain lots of experience quickly because it’s a ‘huge step? from middle school to varsity ball.