Leadership won't be a problem for the Parkland softball team when it takes the field in 2014. Six seniors with valuable varsity experience return, including four that have been on the roster since they were freshman.

With a lot of players coming back, the key will be for the team to become one cohesive unit. That will be something that the seniors will try and instill on the squad.

"We have much of our team back this year," said head coach Barry Search. "The key is to gel as a team and play as one unit. Should we find the key to play as a team we will be very competitive. We have four seniors that have been on the varsity team since they were freshman and we are looking forward to their on-field leadership."

The six seniors are catcher Jordy Augustus, center fielder Courtney Miller, pitcher/first baseman Base Rachel Smerdon, pitcher/first baseman Morgan Rentzheimer, third baseman/outfielder Alexis Oakley, and second baseman Kelly Gruber.

Also returning for the Trojans are juniors Emma Varrato, Samantha Pickar, Sydney Stibitz, Abby Fritzinger and Madison Marshall and sophomore Taylor Knappenberger.

A couple newcomers that Search expects to contribute include senior Amanda Lacesa and juniors Lizzy Zubia, Kristin Herpel and Stefany Danner.

Parkland is coming off a 2013 season in which it missed the Lehigh Valley Conference playoffs, and was eliminated for the District 11 tournament with a 2-1 loss to eventual champion Northampton.

Heading into the 2014 season, Bethlehem Catholic, Emmaus, and Liberty look to be the threats to Parkland. But the Trojans are hoping these seniors can end their softball careers on top.