By KIM NORTH

Times Leader Sports Writer

HANNIBAL — River returns eight letterwinners from two seasons ago as head coach Dave Wright enters his 17th season as head coach.

Last season was canceled by the Ohio High School Athletic Association due to COVID-19 safety precautions.

Wright recorded his 250th career victory during the 2018-19 season when the Pilots went 10-10.

“The team is very excited and working hard to make up for the skills that were put on hold with the cancellation of the season,” Wright said in reference to the global epidemic that had just begun.

River has half-a-dozen seniors on the 22-member roster. Four of them are two-year letterwinners. They had no seniors on last year’s lost season, which was to be a key campaign.

“We have a lack of experience despite the returning letterwinners,” Wright offered. “Losing last year and not having any seniors was to be a learning year for the juniors and sophomores to get the on-field experience needed for this season.

“However, these girls have a great attitude. The older players are being very coachable and are eager to help the younger players with the skills they are learning.”

The Pilots return a pair of veteran players at key positions as seniors Katie Lively (P/OF) and Katie Rufener (C) are back for their third seasons. Lively was 10-10 inside the circle two seasons ago with a 3.47 ERA. Rufener hit .270.

Other two-year letterwinners are seniors Lindsey Huffman (INF) and Elizabeth McConn (INF/OF). Huffman batted .290 and McConn .250.

Rounding out the returning letterwinners are seniors Sofie Myers (OF) and Aedyn Kraft (INF/OF); and juniors Kylie Piatt (P/OF) and Josie Reed (OF). Reed hit .308 as a freshman.

Completing the roster are juniors Kennedy Brown (OF/INF), Jodee McCleoud (OF), Raylee Schmidt (INF), Emily Smith (OF/INF), Rachel Talbott (INF) and Hannah Nevins (INF/OF); sophomores Paige Barker (INF), Rylee Knight (C/OF), Hannah Raper (INF) and Katelynn Thomas (P/OF); along with freshmen Courtney Pittman (OF), Emma Reed (P/INF), Kiley Talbott (OF) and Kelsey Harlan (INF).