TICONDEROGA - Ticonderoga has won the Champlain Valley Athletic Conference Division II softball championship the past eight years.
If that streak is to continue, some new faces will have to step up.
The Sentinels graduated seven starters from 2008's club that posted a 16-0 CVAC mark and won the Section VII Class C championship with a 22-3 overall record.
Gone are outfielders Miranda Wells, Juliann Mandy and Alix Olcott, infielders Anna Besson, Samantha Cawley and Morgan Jordan and catcher Arielle Vilardo.
"We certainly took it on the chin to graduation last spring," Coach Shannon Huntington said. "With the loss of seven starters from last year's championship team, the Sentinels are now faced with a rebuilding season."
Only two players return for Ti, but they're good ones.
Katie Karkoski, the league's Most Valuable Player in 2008, returns to pitch and Julie Thompson, a stalwart first baseman, is back.
"These two players will give the remainder of the team valuable leadership and experience," Huntington said.
New to the roster this spring are Chelsea Budwick, Qirsten Ross, Taylor Denno, Hayley Best, Jocelyn Barber, Ashley St. Andrews, Jesse Patchett, Jamie Patchett and Jessica Blodgett.
"Hayley Best will share pitching duties with Katie and all other positions are wide open," Huntington said. "Players will be moved around early in the season until they have earned their spot."
Although Ticonderoga faces a lot of questions, Huntington expects the Sentinels to fare well.
"The team possesses speed, strong bats, the willingness to learn and a positive team attitude," Huntington said. "Hopefully, as the season progresses, the Lady Sentinels will once again be in the running for the CVAC crown."
Joining Huntington as coach this year is Shelly Young.
Sentinel schedule
April 21...at Seton
April 23...NAC
April 25...at Moriah
April 28...at Peru
April 30...NCCS
May 2...Lake Placid
May 4...Saranac May 6...at AVCS
May 8...at Beekmantown
May 11..Seton
May 13..Plattsburgh
May 15..at NAC
May 18..at Saranac Lake
May 20..Moriah
May 22..at Lake Placid
May 25..AVCS
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