After their record of 2-12 in the 2022 season, the girls softball team is hoping for a more successful 2023 season. With a brand head,assistant coach and five new players, the team is hopeful that these new additions will help bring the team up a few notches. 

The biggest change to the team is the new coaching staff. After head coach Ray Pranskey had retired, the team was worried about who would fill the spot. Last year’s assistant coach Ron May stepped into the spot, with Harry Ferrell filling in the assistant coach position. Both May and Ferrell have experience coaching softball teams, whether that be Freedom’s or other travel softball teams. 

There are five new girls to the team for the 2023 season. After the team’s loss of one senior, getting five new players was very beneficial. The team has gained one new senior, one new junior, and three new freshmen. This brings the total number of players to 15, five more than their previous 10. Out of the 15 girls, all girls except two have played softball at some point in their life. The team can use their skills to work together this year. One of these girls being senior Brandi Bonzo. Bonzo had to quit after health complications a few years ago. She finally got to rejoin after a few year hiatus. 

“I’m super excited to be back and playing after such a long time. I am ready to have a super fun senior year!” Bonzo said. 

Even though there are 15 girls on the team, junior Shaye Bailey, and sophomores Annabelle Komlos and Hayden Baucan are currently unable to play because of injuries that happened before the season officially started. All three girls are hoping to be able to get back on the field at some point this season. 

The girls were supposed to have their first scrimmage game of the season on March 14 at home against the Carlynton Cougars. However, an unexpected snow storm caused a cancellation for the game. On March 16, the girls had a scrimmage against Rochester at home. The girls dominated the Rams by a score of 16-4. The second inning was best for the girls, when they scored 7 out of the 16 runs. The girls were super excited for this win because it was a great way to start off the season. 

“I feel pretty good for the rest of the season! I’m super excited to see how it goes! The game against Rochester was a great way to start off the season, it was a huge confidence boost for our team!” senior Leyasa Young said. 

The girls have 20 more games this season, and are even hoping to make the playoffs.