Members of the Triad softball program are from left, front row, Daytayviah Rodgers and Lia LeMay; second row, Camryn Welty, Kaydence Feasel and MaKenzie Trapp; third row, Hailey Blackburn Lillian Greene, Mallory Hayes, Allison Harlan, Kaley Nott and Morgan Alexander; fourth row, Gracey Gilpin, Jalynn Smith, Madi Bruce, Jessica Bernardi, Autumn Feasel, Lindsey Walborn and Kaydee Roberts; fifth row, assistant coach Brock Feasel, head coach Erica Trainer and assistant coach Kaitlynn Pence. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
With a young team at the roster, the Triad Lady Cardinals are ready to take on the season and show their prowess inside the pitching circle.
Triad has seven returning letter winners this season, including the likes of junior Kaydence Feasel and sophomors Lilly Greene, Hailey Blackburn, Mallory Hayes, Morgan Alexander, Kaley Nott and Jalynn Smith.
First-year head coach Erica Trainer said Hayes has earned the starting spot at catcher with Nott taking second and leftfield, Blackburn on third and short stop, Smith on third, Feasel in centerfield and Greene in right field.
New to the team this year, pitcher Daytayviah Rodgers is looking to assist the Lady Cardinals inside the circle.
Trainer listed the newcomer as a potential starter at some point in the season.
The aspirations for Triad, according to the coach, include “being our best every day.
“We want to work hard and continue to get better,” Trainer said. “The expectation is that we hold each other accountable and give 110 percent all the time.”
Trainer added the team is in a rebuilding phase and the need to be flexible is imperative now more than ever.
Pieces may move and some players may see the field in different positions once it is all said and done.
Rodgers was named as a vital piece to the Lady Cardinals’ pitching staff. The senior once attended Triad from kindergarten till sixth grade. She moved on to attend Mechanicsburg from grades 7-11 and is now back at Triad.
Trainer noted the team has a great mindset and that practices have been positive. One area the coach is excited to see is the team’s pitching, which she said will be something to watch out for this season.
“Pitching will be a strength this season,” Trainer said. “[Daytayviah] is a great fit to replace graduated senior Joni Russell.”
The coach said Mechanicsburg and Fairbanks are two teams which Triad is excited to compete against on the schedule.
“We would like to be competitive and hold our own,” Trainer said.
The offense needs to pick up the pace.
Last year, Triad made a good effort to get runners on base. However, most of those hits did not turn into runs.
Trainer said the team will need to take advantage of all its opportunities this season.
“We are trying to lay a good foundation for years to come,” the coach said. “We have a lot of energy and the girls have been working hard, so we are looking forward to the season.”
Last season, Triad finished last in the North Division of the OHC with a conference record of 7-8.
The Lady Cardinals were 10-15 overall.