Led by a new coaching staff, Baldwin’s varsity softball team is looking forward to a strong season.

The team now has three new assistant coaches, and one of their previous assistant coaches, Gina Fuchs, has been promoted to the head coach position.

Junior and team captain Cassie Carlson feels that this is will benefit the team in the long run, and that it’s already paying dividends.

“I think the new coaches are working out pretty well, since they know most of the girls,” Carlson said.

Freshman Maleah Pacella agreed.

“I think our head coach is doing a really good job training the JV and varsity team equally,” Pacella said.

This season the team is putting a lot of effort into communication skills, which is vital for beating rival teams like Bethel Park and Hempfield.

“Communication is huge right now,” Carlson said, “We have a lot of new girls in different spots.”

Five seniors graduated last year, which leaves the team with holes that underclassmen need to fill.   

“Most positions have been filled up, but the girls are very flexible with moving around on the field,” Carlson said.

Pacella is an important member of the team this year, according to Carlson. She said  Pacella is a strong player who can “really help out the team.”

Pacella thinks the team had “a slow start, but we’re all doing well now.”

The varsity team has maintained the section title for four years now, which puts pressure on players to do it again.

“I think it’s going to be pretty hard for us to maintain,” Pacella said. “But we’re all working hard so we can do it.”

To beat their rival teams, both Pacella and Carlson said that Baldwin needs to come together and communicate, a skill that will make them more successful in the coming season.