After losing seven starting seniors from last year’s Division IV state championship softball team, the Riverside Academy Lady Rebels have to start from scratch with a whole new lineup.

Having to replace two outfielders, four infielders, and seven strong hitters, the team is trying players in all different grades at all different positions. Players are stepping up and trying new positions they have never played before.

The softball team does have its two starting pitchers returning as seniors this year. One is Amber Palermo, who pitched a shutout to win the state championship game against Catholic Pointe Coupee last year. The other is Kylie Bordelon, who pitched to get the win in the semi finals game against St. Fredricks. Only three other starters who were in the lineup were not seniors.

Not only will players have to step up in the field, they will also have to step up at the plate to fill big shoes left behind by the 2023 seniors.

“It’s tough losing kids you’ve been around since they’ve been coaching for six years, the majority of your line up and fielders,” head coach Tamra Regalo said. “We knew the long ball was always a threat 1 through 9 last year and (they were) solid defensively. This upcoming group is faster on the bases, so we as coaches are going to have to challenge them in different ways than the group that just left. These girls who are filling in positions were learning side by side veterans last year and there is no better teacher than that. We are going to rely on veteran pitchers and catchers to lead us on defense and be scrappy on offense. We keep telling them we will be different, but different isn’t a bad thing. Embrace it.”

The Lady Rebels will play Live Oak in a jamboree on Friday, Feb. 9. The junior varsity will play at 4 p.m. and the varsity will play after. The season officially begins Feb. 14 at Holden at 5 p.m.