By BUTCH HARMON
With a solid core of veteran players back, the Mt. Pleasant softball team is looking forward to an exciting season.
A strong nucleus of seniors returns to a team that went 25-13 overall last year and 10-4 in the Saginaw Valley League. The Oilers will have to replace standout pitcher Alesha Davis and Jocelyn Epple, who hit .347 last year.
Plenty of talent returns to the infield. Senior Maureen Conway is back at first base. Junior Allie Weis returns at shortstop, while senior Maddie Livingston is moving from third base to second base this season.
Senior Brooke Rowley is back at catcher, while senior Sydney Epple is a returning right fielder, who will also step into the pitcher’s circle. Left fielder Mary Courser is also a returning veteran.
“We will be fairly experienced, with six starters back,” coach Ted McIntyre said. “We will have some depth offensively and defensively, if players play up to their potential.”
The Oilers also add plenty of newcomers to the mix, including senior Samantha Berryhill; juniors Karrigan Courtney, Megan Kramer, Chelsea Lee, Hannah Murch, Brenna Olrich, and Halie Taylor; and freshman Becca Curtiss.
The key for the Oilers will be in the pitcher’s circle. “Alesha and Chelsea Davis have dominated the pitching innings for the last four years,” McIntyre said. “New people will need to step up this year. Sydney Epple looks like she will get a lot of innings along with Megan Kramer.”
The Saginaw Valley looks loaded again, with Bay City Western being the team to beat and with Midland, Midland Dow, Bay City Central, and Heritage in the mix.