---

Lady Raider softball players are, front (from left): Kate Williams, Breanna Mathewson, Jenny Davis, Erica Ellison; middle: Kelsi Powell, Rebekah Ricks, Katie Shultz, Corie Nicholson, Taylor Davis, Brooklyn Pavalok, Beth Garrett, Mary Fluharty; back: Casey Lawson, Kelsie Nichols, Beth Hylbert, Leah Nichols, Micky Rhodes, Brandy Hylbert, Kelly Hall, Muriah Nutter. Photo by Sue Knotts

Coach Sam Salvucci’s team finished 16-7 a year ago after a pair of 4-3 losses to Ritchie County in the sectional tournament. The outcome also ended the high school careers of three of the best players in Roane history.

Morgan Cottrell, Cheyenne Hall and Ashli Knotts each graduated after rewriting the RCHS record books. Cottrell was a top base stealer, Knotts a stellar pitcher and Hall a three-time Class AA all-state first-teamer with a potent bat.

“That main group of kids started for four years,” Salvucci said of the standouts and other senior starters including Megan Keaton and Sammy Sloan. “This is almost like starting over.”

Salvucci, in his 11th year as head coach, returns four starters to help ease the transition for the 2010 Lady Raiders. Seniors Kate Williams and Breanna Mathewson are back, along with sophomores Kelly Hall and Brooklyn Pavalok.

Third baseman Williams, a four-year starter, hit .237 last season.

“She’s tough, hard-nosed and a good third baseman,” the coach said. “She’s going to have to come around with her bat.”

Salvucci calls Mathewson the team’s best athlete. He said the first baseman, switched there from left field, would also need to be a more consistent hitter.

Hall is back at shortstop after hitting at a .281 clip a year ago and is in the mix to see time at pitcher as well.

“She gained a lot of experience playing as a freshman,” Salvucci said. “She’s a pretty good hitter.”

Pavalok hit .241 last season and will be counted on for more production as a sophomore. She has changed positions from first base to the outfield.

The other infielders are likely to include junior Mary Fluharty at second, senior Erica Ellison behind the plate and sophomore Taylor Davis at first base or short.

Fluharty is a former JV player with a good glove, Ellison a first-year player with quickness and the athletic Davis another newcomer.

Jennifer Davis, a senior who played JV a year ago, juniors Beth Garrett and Rebekah Ricks will see action in the outfield. Garrett and Ricks saw limited time with the varsity last season.

“We’ll rotate them around and see if anybody can hit the ball,” Salvucci said.

Along with Hall, pitching prospects include sophomores Leah Nichols and Brandy Hylbert. Nichols has the most varsity experience, hurling six innings a year ago.

“It’s going to be an adventure to start,” Salvucci said of his staff. “They’re all pretty equal, and we’ll see if someone steps up. Most of the time it works out better to have one go-to pitcher, but we’ve also had years where we’ve rotated some around.”

The Lady Raiders, who will also field a JV team, have four seniors, three juniors, nine sophomores and five freshmen on the roster.

Roane is set to open the season Saturday with a doubleheader at Buffalo. The home opener is Wednesday against LKC South rival Clay County.

The LKC tournament is scheduled for April 29 in Glenville with the sectional at home against Ritchie on May 5. Salvucci expects Clay to be strong in the South, with Ritchie, which lost only one player to graduation, again providing a tough test in the postseason.

For Salvucci and first-year assistant Jonathan Gaston, the task will be to develop new players that can help take up the slack for the departed stars.

“Our goal like always is to have a winning season and provide a positive experience for the kids,” Salvucci said. “I just think we’ve got to go out there and play, and grow up as a team.”