The Staples Motley softball team started off their season last Saturday with two tough losses.

Coach Bruce Onischuk's girls dropped a 12-1 game to Fargo Shanley and then lost 19-5 to Perham while playing at the Frazee tournament.

"We are in a major rebuild- ing year," Onis- chuk said. Pitching is

a big question

mark. "With the

exception o f Abby Edin, a junior, we are without a veteran pitching staff. We're going to have to work in some younger girls."

Edin started the season

out against Fargo Shanley. "Abby pitched game one

and actually pitched quite well. Defensively we didn't do a very good job. Our biggest problem was execution. Our bats were totally silent too," Onischuk said.

Shanley had 12 runs on eight hits and made two errors. The Cards got one run on three hits and made six errors.

For the Cards, Heather Zetah had two hits and Darci McGilivary was one for two.

Perham scored 19 runs on 10 hits and had four errors while Staples Motley's girls scored five times on four hits while making four errors.

Seventh grader Megan Vetsch started this game and pitched quite well, Onischuk said. Ninth grader Caitlin Peterson got some pitching in this game also. "We made several mental mistakes and again, the bats were silent.

Heather Zetah was two for three. One of her hits was a double. Rachael Hoemberg was two for three.

The Cardinal roster includes several juniors and seniors with some experience. They include

o Lonna Dumpprope-junior returning center field

o Heather Zetah-senior returning catcher

o Rachael Hoemberg-senior returning

o Darcy McGilivarysenior utility (played 2nd base last year)

o Abby Edin-junior pitcher

o Angie Bernstrom-senior injured last year.

New to the varsity this year are Ashley Milesjunior infielder; Jennifer Vasquez-junior outfielder and Kelli Roline-sophomore first base

"We have some rookies this season. Bernstrom was out with an injury last season. (She will be playing second base this season)

"Darci played second base last season but will be used where needed this season. She can play all the field positions.