By:  Marisa Papagelis

The Rangers’ softball team is looking to rebuild during the 2018 season under the leadership of new Head Coach Kimberly Danish. This year will be Danish’s first season with the Rangers; she is also in the midst of her first year of teaching in Westborough at Mill Pond as a special education teacher.

Before coming to Westborough, Danish coached softball at Auburn High School and Milford High School as well as coaching for the Concord Raiders Club Softball program. She is assisted by Ally Leach and Alyssa Dolson, who also coaches the junior varsity team. Leach and Dolson both teach at Westborough High School.

The softball team is looking very different this year with only five returning varsity players. The 2018 team roster is split almost evenly among grades with five seniors, two juniors, three sophomores, and three freshman. During the 2017 season, the Rangers went 6-14. Senior, and four year varsity player, Caitlin McCarthy thinks the team is in great shape due to an influx of incoming freshman talent.

“We have a lot of strong freshman along with a new coach that adds a lot of experience and knowledge of the game, so I am hoping to only improve from last season,” says McCarthy whose personal goal for the team is to win at least fifty percent of the team’s games and make playoffs.

Returning senior Rachel Bigelow says, “This season is going to be a positive and uplifting season. We’re all bonding really well and having a lot of fun while getting done what needs to be done.”

Along with McCarthy, other key returning players include senior Flaherty Foster (catcher/first base), sophomore Cassie Kadish (pitcher), and junior Maia Morgado (catcher). Incoming freshman Sarah Cox (second base), Taylor Chelak (pitcher/shortstop), and Cecilia Robinson (third base) are expected to make an impact on the team’s overall performance.

“I am really excited to take the field with these girls,” says Foster. “I can’t wait to see how much we can improve and hopefully catch some wins on the way!”

The snow and rain has prevented the Rangers from practicing outside on the field; however, they will have the opportunity to play for the first time as a team on Monday at a scrimmage at Hopkinton. The Rangers first game is Thursday, April 5 vs. Hudson.