With a new coach, and a lot of new players. Reedley College softball is ready for the start of the season.

New head coach Stefani Nomura and her staff are ready to go preparing for scrimmages at home with Cabrillo College at 1 pm Saturday before opening the season on Saturday, March 4 at Hartnell College in Salinas with a 12-noon doubleheader. The first home against Yuba College. Conference play begins March 2 against the school where Nomura was an assistant -- Fresno City College.

Pitcher-infielder Annabelle Buchanan leads the list of returnees. Her sister Abtgelle, also a pitcher joined the team at semester. The Tigers finished with a 10-21 record last season, 4-12 in conference play.

Jordynn Acevedo and Previous Hawkins are the other sophomores on the 16-player roster.

Infielder-outfielder Sadie Decker of Reedley is among the freshman on the roster along with Alexa Hernandez, Alexa Valdez,

Alyssa Hernandez, Mary-Jo Camaquin. Hailee Zapien, Alexis Patras, Jessica Camacho, Kourtney Barker-Coli, Krystal Mejia, and Alyssa Everk.

When asked about the upcoming season Coach Nomura said, "We are athletic. And have depth in our lineup. we are young and hungry. We smell blood and we're ready to work. We worked a lot in the off-season to help with mental skills training and speed/agility."

By: Will Goldbeck