Eight veterans are enough

East Grand Forks Sacred Heart coach Mike Marek envisions a fast start for his Eagles softball team this season.

He can count eight reasons why.

Sacred Heart returns eight players who started more than half of the games last season.

"That's a big thing," Marek said. "They've played within the system. They know how we try to attack the ball."

Sacred Heart was 15-5 last year, ending its season in the subsection semifinals. Pitcher Abby Stocker and catcher Casey Norton are the Eagles' main losses from that team, but the remaining group played a large role in Sacred Heart's success.

"Hopefully that experience helps us a lot," Sacred Heart senior Holly Roach said. "Since we only lost a pitcher and a catcher, our infield will be strong. We have a lot of girls that know what to do and have that varsity experience."

The Eagles have three returning starters who hit over .300 last year and seven who hit over .250. Ashley Seim led the way with a .368 batting average a year ago, followed by Kaylee LaMoine with .366 and Darcy Roach with .344.

Not only does Sacred Heart return a number of successful hitters, but most of the players are returning to positions they played a year ago.

"Defensively, we should be ahead of teams early in the season," Marek said. "Most of the girls aren't learning a new position."

With a mixture of hitting and defense, the only question mark for Sacred Heart appears to be on the mound. But Holly Roach said her sister, Darcy, looks to be up for the challenge.

"At the end of last season, Abby got hurt," Holly Roach said. "(Darcy) was a freshman and really stepped up at tourney time. She got a lot of experience there. She's been working hard this offseason, proving she can be varsity material."

Darcy Roach had a 2-2 pitching record last season with a 1.75 earned run average and 38 strikeouts.

With the experience at the plate and in the field, expectations are high for the Eagles.

"We had a meeting Friday about goals and expectations," Holly Roach said. "With the experience we have this year, (going to state) is one of our high goals and dreams."

Reach Miller 701-780-1120, (800) 477-6572 ext. 120 or tmiller@gfherald.com .