Last year, the Lady Generals played in and lost many close games.

Coach Zach Medlock returns 10 players from a softball squad that finished the 2007 season with a 5-10 record, and he hopes experience is enough to reverse the result of many of those tight contests.

“With a veteran group, we definitely have high expectations headed into the season, and I think we should do a lot better than last year,” said Medlock. “These girls work hard … They work out all year, they play a lot of softball, and it’s a good, experienced team that should do some nice things this season.”

Of those returning, two are seniors and six are juniors. That bodes well for both this year and next, said Medlock. Senior captains Monique Giroux and Madison Belanger, he said, lead a strong top-to-bottom lineup. Both hit above .400 last season.

Juniors Emily Sweeney, Taylor Buxton, Abbey Sullivan, Becca Morin, Olivia Cray and Alex Proctor return as well. Sophomore Kelsey Francher, added the coach, provides another offensive spark, and Ashley French and Molly Dussault are expected to contribute as well.