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By TRACY WATSON
WELLSBURG -- In her third-year at the helm, Brooke softball Coach Tricia Hays Lamantia continues to build the Bruins program.
Brooke is coming off an 11-17 campaign, in a tough region that includes rival state powers Wheeling Park and John Marshall, with seven returning lettermen and only one senior on the roster.
That senior should be counted on heavily with Courtney Elliott seeing heavy playing time at both first base and in the circle. Juniors coming back include Jenna Cooper (utility), Noelle Lamantia (second base, outfield) and Krissa Lusk behind the plate.
Sophomores are Landyn Hayes (catcher, utility), Jaycee Mitchell (third base, pitcher) and Megan Cross (OF).
While that seven will make up the nucleus of the squad the remainder of the team, which will produce the other two starters, has sophomore Gabriella Veltri (utility), Chrissy Byers (catcher, first base), Carolann Julio (OF) and Kloee Billick (first base). Freshmen newcomers are Rachel Kazmirski (pitcher, utility), Haley Birmingham (pitcher, second base) and Courtney Engle (pitcher, utility).
On the down side of things for the Bruins is the five starters they lost to graduation. Gone are pitcher Katie Castelucci, shortstop Brette Geary, outfielders Taylor Simala, Taylor Hair and Kelly Schambach.
"This year's team is dotted with some very good, young talent," Lamantia said. "And I believe that we are building for the future right now. But there will be struggles getting used to being without the five starters we lost to graduation.
"We are going back to basics this year. Games are won in the off-season through hard work, dedication and being properly conditioned for the sport you are competing in. Our conditioning began in January with some very intense strength, cardio and fitness training and I am very satisfied in the game readiness of this group," assistant coach Jay Mitchell added.
"It is a young group that must come together early in the season and learn how to win as a team," Lamantia said. "Fielding only four upperclassmen and 22 underclassmen in our program makes it tough on experience, but it is a great base to start building on.
"Most of these girls play travel softball during the summer months, so that experience will benefit the team greatly. Once again this team finds themselves on a softball field soon so they can prove that their hard off-season work has paid off.
"We have also added some new staff who have added some special components to the program."
Assisting Lamantia this season along with Mitchell will be Chad Lamantia, Jessica Kennedy, Stephanie Silver, Shelby Adams and Brian Engle.
March 20: Wheeling Park 5 p.m.
March 22: at John Marshall 5 p.m.
March 24: University 5 p.m.
March 25: at Morgantown (2) 1 p.m.
March 28: Edison 5 p.m.
March 29: at University 5 p.m.
March 30: Oak Glen 5:30 p.m.
April 1: Warren Local (2) 11 a.m.
April 3: at Wheeling Park 5 p.m.
April 4: at East Liverpool 5 p.m.
April 5: at Weir 5 p.m.
April 6: at Cambridge 5:30 p.m.
April 8: at Martins Ferry (2) 2 p.m.
April 10: at Oak Glen 5 p.m.
April 12: John Marshall 5 p.m.
April 13: Cambridge 5:30 p.m.
April 18: Indian Creek 5 p.m.
April 19: Weir 5:30 p.m.
April 20: Harrison Central 5 p.m.
April 22: at Parkersburg South (2) 1 p.m.
April 25: East Liverpool 5 p.m.
April 27: at Harrison Central 5 p.m.
April 28: North Marion 5 p.m.