The Dupo softball squad returns a strong core group of players from last year’s squad, which finished just 9-14 overall but a promising 5-3 in the conference.

The Tigers lost two girls to graduation from last year’s team: Lydia Edwards and Carley Kloess.

“Their leadership will be missed,” head coach Greg Pennock said.

Returning from last year are senior Christa Leesman (.338 batting average in 2013) and sophomores Rachael Donald (.536 average with 2 homeruns at the plate and 7-10 record with 3.59 ERA on the mound), Alyssa Strubberg (.364 average, 18 stolen bases) and Savannah Maldonado (.311 average).

All four were named to last season’s all-conference team, and Strubberg and Donald are already on the radar of several college programs.

“Both of these girls had a very good season for us last year and we are looking for more of the same from them this year,” Pennock said.

In addition, Dupo welcomes a young group of players from a very successful junior high program to fill in some of the missing pieces.

The Tigers will look to freshman Megan Brown to have a very good first varsity season, both at the plate and on the mound.

“We are a very young team. We will be competitive this season and in the future as well. It will be fun to watch this team grow and compete,” Pennock said.

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