Girls’ softball inexperienced but optimistic

Coaches: Mike Davey and Greg Spirakis

2016-2017 record: 19-6

2016-2017 recap: The team made it to the semifinals in CCS where they lost 3-1 to Hillsdale.

Key additions: freshman outfielder Bela Chauhan

Key matchups: Los Gatos, Milpitas, Prospect

Star players: senior pitcher Chancee Gaskin, sophomore shortstop Hannah Beine

Key losses: Rachel Davey, Natasha Ramakrishnan

League: El Camino

Prognosis:

The team anticipates difficulty in their attempt to compensate for the large number of seniors lost to graduation, which includes star pitcher Rachel Davey. In addition, senior infielder Kate Bossi has opted out of playing this year and sophomore outfielder Ella Parr is out with a torn ACL suffered during basketball, leading to even more holes on the roster.

Even so, the girls expect to be competitive in their division.

“I think if we carry on the work ethic from last year we should go very far this season,” senior catcher Eryn Lee said. “We have some spots to fill up from last year so we definitely have our work cut out for us, but we’re up for the challenge.”

Senior pitcher Chancee Gaskin will step up in Davey’s place, and the entire team is behind her.

“Chancee is a really good pitcher who puts in a lot of work when nobody is watching,” Lee said.

The team must overcome another obstacle that results from their losses: chemistry.

“Last year the team really bonded,” sophomore infielder Natalie Tarbox said. “I hope that’s how it is again this year but it’ll take some time for us to get accustomed with each other.”

Although the team does have various hurdles to overcome, there is reason to be optimistic.

Freshman Bela Chauhan will be joining the team during tryouts, and her abilities have given the struggling team hope for success.

“She is a catcher, outfielder and great hitter,” Parr said. “I might be out this season, but she’ll help for sure.”