The Gloucester High School varsity softball team played in the quarterfinals of the state tournament in 2019 and many of the players’ names have changed since then. Only two starters remain from that competitive team.

Leighann Harper was a sophomore first baseman of the team at that time while Hailey Hardaway was a freshman left fielder. This year, Harper has moved to second base while Hardaway will be doing the catching, according to coach Red Lindsay.

Lindsay said senior Sierra West will handle the pitching duties this year, throwing to battery mate Hardaway. With Harper at second base, the remainder of the infield will be all freshmen and sophomores.

Freshman Grace Saunders will be at first base and classmate Kaia Hutton will be at third. Sophomore Sadie Bowden has moved to shortstop. In the outfield, junior Lila Saunders will be in right field and freshman Grace Sinko Van Liew will roam in centerfield. Elaina Ward will be in left field when she fully recovers from an injury.

Kimber Rainey will start the season in left field and will be expected to use her versatility to also play the infield and catch. Sophomore Shelby Harris and junior Kennedy Bohannon will add depth to the outfield.

“We are a very young team with six freshmen and sophomores, and we are inexperienced. Adding to that, we only have two weeks to prepare for the season instead of our normal three weeks. I am hoping to be playing our best ball at the end of the year,” Lindsay predicted.

The Dukes were scheduled to open the season this week at Woodside High School and their first home game is slated for May 6 against Kecoughtan.