“I have a large letterwinner group back again this year,” Glendale head coach Phil Barroner said. “We have been pretty consistent with getting enough time for 11-12 players each year to letter and it has helped us be able to fill the holes left by graduates.

“Having that many back that have experienced a district title game or two and those who have been on the state run not only know the expectations but how to handle the attention to it.”

The Lady Vikings will have to find a way to replace the production of the program’s all-time hit queen in Makenzie Lukehart and rock-steady catcher Kristen Hewitt, who also possessed a potent bat.

“We lost two of the program’s best in Makenzie Lukehart and the always stable and reliable Kristen Hewitt behind the plate, Barroner said. “Losing these two big-time players will be tough for us.

“Any time you lose your 1-2 punch and two individuals who played the game right, there is going to some struggle to fill that void.”

Barroner will rely on Mulhollen, Reese and Alaney Vereshack to make up that void.

Mulhollen led Progressland with a .580 batting average a season ago, finishing with 29 hits, seven doubles, three home runs and 26 RBIs and stands just 12 hits short of 100 for her career.

Reese burst on the scene as a freshman and batted .450, while scoring 19 runs and knocking in 19 and Vereshack, who has 63 RBIs in two seasons, continued to be a major run producer in the middle of the Lady Viking lineup.

“I truly believe the power and bat threat of Lexi Mulhollen in the leadoff spot is tough for any team to face early,” Barroner said. “Then we add the dual threat of Olivia Reese behind her. Those two will give teams havoc early before getting into the RBI machine of Alaney Vereshack.”

Mulhollen will again lead the pitching staff, but Glendale does have options in the circle. Mulhollen was 10-4 with a 3.15 ERA last season.

“In the circle we will be able to use a number of arms this year with that being the deepest position we have,” Barroner said. “But it’s going to be hard to not give the majority of the work load to my seasoned senior, who has done so much for us.

“(Freshman) Kyla Campbell has looked really good this spring and is definitely going to find time in the circle when she is not in left field. We also still have Breanna Vereshack who pitched really well in the title game a year ago, and (freshmen) Chloe McElheny and Hanna Noel throw as well.”

Smeal will look to step into the role vacated by Hewitt.

“Behind the dish will be senior Brooke Smeal,” Barroner said. “Brooke has been consistently a pretty solid bat with big potential in the middle of my lineup, but I believe this a year that she really breaks out. She has been working extra hard and it’s starting to show on the field.”

Around the rest of the diamond, the Lady Vikings feature returning starters in Breanna Vereshack (first), Reese (second), Alaney Vereshack (shortstop) and LeMaster (third).

“I will continue to keep the steady glove of Breanna Vereshack at first, standing beside an all-state second baseman (Reese). Alaney Vereshack will return back to the starting shortstop position. At third will be someone who is really underrated. Kennedy has a really consistent glove and brings a lot to the team.”

The outfield and designated player role will see some changes this season to cover for the loss of Lukehart in center.

“Lilley will move from left to center, while her sister and solid defensive glove Madison will be in right,” Barroner said. “Kyla Campbell will get the nod for a starting role in left.

“We look to use Chloe Mcelheny’s great bat in the DP role. We just have not made up our mind for who, and most likely that will change a few times throughout the year.”

Noel will also make a significant contribution as the season goes on, once she is 100 percent ready.

“Hanna Noel is coming off a severe ankle injury from basketball, so we have not had much more then a few days to evaluate her and still believe she needs some time to get some preseason rust off before we decide all her roles as a utility player.”

Barroner believes his 11-player roster has the potential to be as good, if not better, from an offensive standpoint.

“I believe we are deeper then years past with some more power and hitting potential,” he said. “I just fear we are a little young and question how consistent those bats are at the bottom of the lineup. The 1-2-3 hitters will challenge a lot of the teams in our league to be the best three-player combo.

Barroner has brought back his list of ten team goals this season and says all our attainable if the girls work hard and continue to develop.

“We will continue to have our ten TEAM goals as years past, but I really wanted to challenge ourselves this season,” Barroner said. “We added some larger schools to the schedule hoping to force us to up our game to compete. Pine Grove is a well known team and their tournament should be a good challenge for us along with the Clearfield.

“The ICC continues to advance some quality teams in the state tournament so it should be a challenge as well. I hope to get into the playoffs and make some noise again. One goal I have had since I have been here was to put Glendale softball on the map and to have a program that many respect. Continued growth, playoff and state runs help aid that and if we are playing our best ball at the end of the year those things can happen for us.”

Barroner also says that last year’s loss in the district title game has motivated the team.

“That changed the mentality a little,” he said. “Too many of us take things for granted and we need to get back to the attention to detail factors of the game to up our level so we are more prepared for the big moments. This group has embraced that and has really worked hard early in this spring.”

Glendale opens its season this evening at Elderberry Park, hosting Moshannon Valley in the third annual charity game.

Roster

Seniors

*Kennedy LeMaster, *Lexi Mulhollen, *Brooke Smeal.

Juniors

*Madison Lukehart, *Breanna Vereshack, *Alaney Vereshack.

Sophomores

Chloe McElheny, *Olivia Reese, *Lilley Vereshack.

Freshmen

Kyla Campbell, Hanna Noel

*Returning letterwinners

Schedule

March

25—Moshannon Valley, 5:30 p.m. 26—at Mount Union, 4:15 p.m. 28—at at Juniata Valley.

April

2—West Branch. 4—at Williamsburg. 6—at Pine Grove Tournament, TBA. 10—Harmony. 11—at Bellwood-Antis. 12—Curwensville. 16—at Moshannon Valey. 18—Mount Union. 22—Clearfield. 23—Juniata Valley. 24—at West Branch. 30—at Williamsburg.

May

at Claysburg-Kimmel, 4 p.m. 6—at Harmony. 7—Bellwood-Antis. 10—Claysburg-Kimmel.

Games begin at 4:30 p.m. unless noted.