By KIM NORTH

Times Leader Sports Writer

BELLAIRE — Dave Menendez enters his third season as the Bellaire softball team with optimism.

The Big Reds went 14-11 last year and have eight returning letterwinners, while only losing two starters. However, of the 17 players on the roster, just two are seniors.

“Despite being a young team, we should be competitive. We only lost two every day starters to graduation,” Menendez said. “Overall, we have pretty good team speed. Our pitchers are young, like the rest of the team, but I think they are up for the challenge.”

Senior Taylor Menendez (INF) is a three-year letterwinner. Juniors Lizzie McAninch (C/INF/OF) and Sophia Porter (INF), along with sophomores Allie Ault (INF), Grace Maupin (P/INF), Alexis Morgan (INF/OF), Sidney Rowson (OF)and Gianna Schmidt (C/INF) all lettered last spring.

Porter earned first team all-OVAC Class 3A and honorable mention all-Eastern District Division III. McAninch was a first team Eastern District honoree, while Morgan was second team Eastern District.

The remainder of the Bellaire roster is senior Soazic Mertens (OF); juniors Brooklynn Zonker (INF/OF) and Quinn Boyle (OF); sophomore Majestique Jackson (P/INF); and freshmen Ashlyn Rose (OF), Olivia Weyrick (C/OF), Rylie Porter (P/INF/OF), Lauren Menendez (INF/OF) and Tenise Lucien (OF).

The Big Reds have some big shoes to fill with the loss of four-year letterwinners Kirsten Boyle, Kaylan Brown and Jayden Lowe.

New teams on the schedule are Steubenville Catholic and Linsly. They replace Steubenville and Oak Glen.

Assistant coaches are Aimee Menendez and Kelly Porter.