Gloucester High School softball players will open the 2017 season Tuesday when they take on the Kecoughtan Warriors at 6 p.m. at the Stoney Run Sports Complex in Newport News. 

The 2016 Dukes went 19-4 and participated in the 5A South Regional Tournament. This year’s team will be without seven seniors including five four-year starters who made the 2013 state tournament trip.

Gloucester is very young this season and may have eight freshmen and sophomores starting. Only sophomore Bridget Motley will be starting in the same position she held last year.

Sophomore Kirsten Greene takes over the pitching duties this season with senior Kayla Tobin helping to carry the load. Motley will complete the pitching squad. Sophomores Emma West at first base, Tori Mielnik at second and Courtney Hall at shortstop will start with freshman Laura Tobin rounding out the infield at third.

Junior Jessica Hogge will move from left field to centerfield and could be surrounded by freshman left fi...