By KIM NORTH

Times Leader Sports Writer

CONNORVILLE — There’s good news and bad news for the 2021 Buckeye Local softball program.

On the bright side, the Panthers have 24 girls out for the sport this spring. However, only four of them have earned varsity letters in their careers.

“Learning how to win will be our main focus this season. We have succeeded in building a culture of competitiveness, belief and trust in each other, and the process,” third-year head coach Drew Case said. “In my first season (2019) we went 2-20 but lost three games in extra innings and four others by two-or-less runs.

“We need to learn how to get the extra hit with runners in scoring position, make that game-saving play in the field, or take the extra base when we can. Those are the little things that change the result of the game. That’s what we are stressing this season.”

Seniors Makalee Meeks (P) and Landyn Walker (INF/OF) are back as three-year letterwinners.

Juniors Alexa Williams (INF) and Demetria Christian (OF) are both two-year vets.

Case is expecting big things from those four as team leaders, but he has a talented cast to support them.

Being counted on to step up are senior Kelsea Gray (INF/OF); juniors Isabella Hepburn (C), Kirsten Faulkner (C), Rylie White (INF) and Kassidy George (INF/OF); and sophomores Kenna Case (INF), Kaydence Kinyo (INF), Josey Meedles (OF/P) and Jackie Richardson (INF).

The Panthers’ boss is high on freshman Samantha Ankron (P) inside the circle.

Rounding out the Panthers roster are juniors Carly Englert (INF), Kylie Gura (OF) and Sydney Bodak (OF); sophomores Makayla Higgins (INF/C), Harley Totterdale (INF) and Julia Orban (OF); along with freshmen Morgan Richardson (OF), Olivia Kovalski (OF), Kiarra Eastham (P) and Kammi Anthony (INF).

“Offensively, we will hit the ball well and score runs, that’s been the biggest point of emphasis since I arrived here,” he said.