By: Lauren Carlo

With spring sports right around the corner, Rangers Varsity Softball is expecting significant improvement this year. In 2016, the Rangers had a tough season and ended with an overall record of  4-16. However, moving down a division from Mid Wach A to Mid Wach B, the Rangers expect the same level of difficulty in opponents, but also improvement out on the field.

This season the Rangers have returning seniors:  Captain Ally Rota, Captain Haley Brown, Sidney Berg, Cassie Domeij, and Jill Finger to help lead the team to more victories.

Also returning juniors are starters Flaherty Foster, Lauren Carlo, and Caitlin McCarthy, as well as some other prospects from the junior class. Continuing with the roster, returning sophomores Maia Morgado and Hope Pilkington, along with some potential players in the class of 2019. As for incoming freshmen,  prospect Cassie Kadish, a pitcher, could see some time on the mound.

Along with Head Coach Greg Rota, the team has new Assistant Coach Allison Leach to help guide the Rangers to a more successful season. Coach Rota says, in order to have the chance at a winning record and improve, the Rangers need to “focus on defense and timing their swings.”

He also states,“Even though we’re moving down a division, the division we’re moving to is still extremely good.”

“Nashoba’s pitcher, Colvin is lights out. Hudson’s pitcher, Togneri, she’s lights out, so they have really good pitching. And there’s Marlborough’s Liv Larson, who is already league all-stars. You still run into about 6 games against pitching that’s dominant, so it’s not gonna get easier,” remarks Coach Rota.

However, Rota mentions that this year, “We have several pitchers coming out, we have: Maddie Graves-Witherell, Cassie Kadish, and Cassie Domeij.”

With the change in division, many returning starters, increase in pitchers for both JV and Varsity, and a gain in coaching, the Rangers varsity softball team has the opportunity to execute and achieve a winning record in this 2017 season.