The Helias Lady Crusaders went through some growing pains last season.
Now it's time to reap the benefits.
"There are no more excuses," Lady Crusaders head coach Dan Campbell said as Helias prepared to host Battle in the softball season opener tonight at Duensing Field. "There's no reason why we shouldn't be improved, especially defensively, and win some ballgames."
Helias, which returns seven starters and another key reserve, finished 11-15 last season. The Lady Crusaders are looking flip or better that record this year.
"If we make the routine plays, I am confident we can win between 15-20 games," Campbell said.
Campbell believes an improved defense will key the improved record. Errors were a thorn in the side of the Lady Crusaders for much of last season.
"The games we lost, I went back and looked, we'd maybe have a walk and then follow that up with a couple of errors," he said. "It would just snowball on us and the next thing we knew, we'd given up four or five runs."
Campbell has seen improvement in practice.
"I think the team can as well," he said. "They are all being more assertive in the field. We've looked good and I'm looking forward to seeing it during a game."
Helias is a veteran presence up the middle with junior pitcher Lindsey Steinbeck, senior catcher Grace Dittmer and senior shortstop Lauren Morrow.
"That's a good group to start with," Campbell said.
Steinbeck was Helias' No. 1 pitcher last season.
"You can see her velocity is up a little bit and she's improved with all of her pitches," Campbell said. "She's not going to strike out 10 people a game, but she throws strikes and doesn't hurt herself."
Dittmer returns behind the plate.
"Grace has shown she can be really strong at catcher," Campbell said.
Morrow earned all-state honors last season when she set a Helias school record with six home runs.
"Lauren has done a very good job of anchoring our infield," Campbell said.
Also returning on the infield are seniors Jordyn Nappier at first base and Kaylie LeCuru at third.
Abbi Pringer, a freshman, will start at second base.
"She's done a good job in practice, I don't think it's going to be too big for her," Campbell said. "I've been impressed with her."
Starting in the outfield will be Haley Kempker, Julie Harris and Riley Bond. Harris is a senior, while Kempker and Bond are juniors.
"All three of them saw time last year and they've improved," Campbell said. "They've all got a lot of speed, they can go get the ball. We want to be aggressive out there."
Allie Ashcraft, a senior, is the No. 2 pitcher, while sophomore Grace Bradley could also see time in the circle.
Abby Masek, another senior, will be the backup catcher and will also play in the outfield. Claire Ludwig, a junior, will give Helias a potent bat off the bench, while freshmen Sophia Carr and Presley Welch will see time as designated or pinch-runners.
The top of the lineup is settled. Kempker will lead off, followed by Harris. Morrow will bat third, with Dittmer in the cleanup spot.
"After that, we will mix things around for the first few games and see what happens," Campbell said.
Helias wants to use a combination of quickness and power to its full advantage.
"We hope to put a lot of pressure on other teams with our speed, then hit some line drives to bring them home," Campbell said.
Gone from the schedule is the Helias Catholic Classic. Helias will now play in the Battle Tournament, the Capital City Invitational and the Liberty Tournament. In addition to its regular slate of games against teams throughout the area, Helias and Fatima will have a home-and-home series.
"It's a good schedule, it will prepare us well," Campbell said.
Helias will play its home varsity games after the JV contest, unless there's a threat of rain.