Softball – Despite key losses in lineup, Hornets expect to challenge in EPC with a mixture of older and younger players. PREVIEW

Senior Avery DeFanti is one of the key returnees to this year's squad. Photo: Tom Ashelman.

Coach – Rich Giering (4th year)

Assistant – Jerry Lewis

Last year – 18-5 overall; qualified for EPC Tournament – lost to Pleasant Valley 4-2; qualified for District XI – defeated Pleasant Valley 9-2, lost to Liberty 10-3

Players lost to graduation – OF Molly Yard, SS Bri Amey, 1B Emma Kozy, 3B Taylor Gitski, OF Taylor Bruckler, P Autumn Held, Millie Thompson, Cora-Li Moyer

Returnees – Sr. 2B Sadie Haefeli, Jr. C Abby Derr, Jr OF Taylor Hauver, Sr. 3B Avery DeFanti, Sr. Avery Shank, Sr. OF Sophia Tranguch

Newcomers – Jr. Brianna Gitski, Soph. Julia DeFanti, Sr. Amanda King, Jr. Sarah Longbons, Soph. Caylie Granitz, Soph. Sydney Bennett, Soph. Mari Eiswerth, Soph. Morgan Schwab, fresh. Haleigh Gigliotti

Season-opener – March 17 vs CCHS, Home 4 p.m.

Follow the team on social media: ‘X’ @Emmaussports, Facebook: Emmaus softball, Broadcasts: Eastern Pa Sports Network

Coach Giering – “We lost seven starters to graduation, but some of the younger players returning got varsity experience a year ago. We have a good nucleus of older girls mixed in with the younger girls. We also had a good JV season last year, so we’re going to have a good mixture between the two. The girls have been working really hard getting ready for the upcoming season.”