Softball seniors Leading the Staples Motley High School softball team this year are seniors (from left) Jennifer Vasquez, Lonna Dumpprope, Ashley Miles and Abby Edin. The girls have been playing together since junior high and are looking forward to sharing one more season of softball memories. (Staples World photo by Dawn Timbs) A young Staples Motley softball squad will take to the field this Thursday (today) to open the Cardinal softball season.

Four seniors return from last year’s star ters, as well as one junior starter returnee. Those include seniors Lonna Dumpprope outfield, in-fielder Ashley Miles; pitcher Abby Edin and infielder Jennifer Vasquez. Junior Kelli Roline is back at first base as

well.

Lonna Dumpprope said, “We have a young team this

year and only four seniors. There are some holes to fill, but I believe we have the potential to do very well. We already are a very cohesive group.”

Coach Bruce Onischuk said that last year’s graduates - Rachael Hoemberg, Angi Bernstrom, Darcy McGillivrary and Heather Zetah - will be missed, “but these girls coming back will give us a good nucleus to work around.”

For now, the coach said a week ahead of their first games, Jennifer Vasquez may be playing shortstop. Last year she played left

field.

Abby Edin noted, “We’ve already been having

a lot of fun together. We have fun, that’s one of the

most important things.”

Ashley Miles added, “It’s just great to be outside.”

“We are looking for some help from Taylor Tomann, Hallie Olsen and ninth grader Jasmine McGillivrary. I am guessing our lineup will change throughout the season. We want our girls to be successful at the positions they play,” Onischuk said.

“We will be very young in some of our positions. MacKenzie Holst (eighth grade) will have duties behind the plate. Eighth grader Kelsey Zetah will more than likely see action at second base.

“We are still undecided in a couple of outfield positions. Eighth grader Megan Vetsch may see some varsity action pitching.

“We did scrimmage Verndale last Tuesday. The girls played well. That gave us a good idea as to what we need to do for the season. Our goal is to improve with each game as the season progresses,” Onischuk said.

The girls, who started softball practice March 15, will begin the season Thursday with a home game against Breckenridge. On Saturday, they head for a tournament in Frazee.

Lonna noted, “It’s supposed to be 70 degrees on Saturday; a great day for a game.”

Coaches are Bruce Onischuk, with assistant Sandy Opheim, and Kevin

Softball-Girls Varsity