Three out of the past four years, the softball team has made it to the state tournament, twice to the state championship, and once to the state semi-finals.

In three state games, they have been defeated by the same team, Northern Calvert Patriots. They were defeated in the state championship by the Patriots on May, 26 2012 10-0, and May 24, 2014 4-2, and in the state semi-finals last year 5-0.

The Northern Calvert Lady Patriots have been Class 3A softball state champions for eight years in a row. And they are lead by Coach Robert Earl Radford.

This year, Lancers plan to be unpatriotic. They are prepared for victory.

Lauryn Lovewell, returning captain, says, “Losing to the same team three years in a row is rough, but it makes us work harder to get back and see them again in the end.”

Despite what the end of the season looks like, the ladies are ready for a year. The team’s roster contains 9 returning players from last year and five new additions.

Returning players from last year include Frederick News Post recognized players: First Team All Area, third baseman junior, Lauryn Lovewell;  First Team All Area center fielder junior, Kennedi Ambush;  All Area Honorable Mention left fielder junior Shylo Arneson; and Second Team All Area pitcher senior Kayleigh Day.

Joining these four are five experienced players: right fielder senior Tanner Ridgley, first baseman junior Erika Kosar, shortstop sophomore Cailyn Barthlow, outfielder/first baseman junior Shelby Iager, and catcher sophomore Jordan Specht.

Five new additions to the team include speedy second baseman sophomore Jordan Nicolet; third baseman junior Donna Pizzi; outfielder junior Maya Hannon; freshman short stop Paige Wilhelm; and senior second baseman Bailey Clum.

These players will take on this softball season one win at a time, alongside Coach  Andrea Poffinberger and her assistant Coach Rachel Teti. Teti is a 2012 alumni from Linganore. She played Varsity high school softball as a catcher for four years. When she graduated,  she continued her softball career at  Division 1 softball program, Mount Saint Mary’s, majoring in Elementary and Special Education.

As the chosen 14 take the field every game this season, they have to stay as one unit. They have to be a family on and off the field because team chemistry carries a team far, and that is what is needed if they want to come home with a state title. Individually every player needs to be coach-able and communicative.

These ladies are looking forward to getting back to the state championship and playing the Patriots. Their motivation will be the past loses haunting them in the back of their minds.

Shylo Arneson, returning player, says, “I have high expectations for us this year because we have a lot of talent, and we have no longer a ‘young’ team.”

As all 14 players and coaches take on this 2016 season they have came up with five team goals during their practice. The goals are:

1. BEAT NORTHERN CALVERT
2. Don’t lose
3. Be a team on and off the team. FAMILY, ONE UNIT.
4. Play for the name on the front not the number on the back.
5. Practice how you would play in a game.

This 2016 season will be one to remember.

Come out and support the softball team. Their first game is a home opener at 4:30 against Walkersville on March, 21 2016. For more information on their schedule.