Following a 1-0 loss to Timberlane in the 2008 Class L softball championship, Salem head coach Harold Sachs reminded everyone his squad is not a oneyear wonder but a program, one that won eight of the last 10 titles.

And the approach this year’s team takes on the field promises to be a carbon copy of what has made Salem High softball so successful. SHS returns a large number of players from last year’s finalist and should challenge to reach yet another championship contest, despite some preseason bumps.

“It hasn’t been as smooth as we’d like,” said Sachs. “The reason is that many of our players have the ability to do a variety of things. When you’re trying to figure out the best combination and they’re so versatile, there’s a lot of indecision.”

Senior Dominique Heres anchors the pitching rotation, followed by junior Nora Galvin and sophomores Steph Cabral and Valerie Bauer, the only one of the four without varsity experience. Heres went 5-0 in the circle last season, while Galvin and Cabral each were 3-0 for the Blue Devils, who won 15 straight to reach the state finals.

“We don’t typically adjust or change parts because the kids have been going through the program,” said Sachs. “We’re not a bunting or a running team. We like to sit back and swing the bat, and we’d like to stick with that.”

The coach also noted his team’s hitting needs continued work, but he expects Cabral, outfielders Julia Gray and Jade Morrison, sophomore second baseman Sarah Bracken and senior catcher Erica DePinto to lead the attack.

The mentor said Morrison and Gray each have shown the ability to hit for power, but the coaching staff is working to get them to swing with more consistency and for a higher batting average.

Sachs added he wouldn’t be surprised or concerned if it took several weeks for the Blue Devils to reach full speed. And the coach always remembers – and reminds anyone listening – that the Blue Devils aren’t built to compete only this season.

“As the younger kids come into the program, they have bridges built for them by the older kids, and they understand how to carry on the history of the program,” he said. “It’s still a very young program, so we’ll work this year but continue to build for years to come also.”