It's an old adage that you have to learn to walk before you can run, and for this year's Whitehall softball team it's all about baby steps.

That's the overriding theme to a 2014 squad that will feature 13 underclassmen on its 15-man roster. In fact, head coach Alexis Berg-Townsend has made it their informal rallying cry as they begin their new campaign.

"It's all about baby steps," said Berg-Townsend who enters her seventh season as the skipper. "Then we can get to more advanced levels and take the steps to be more competitive in the conference."

The Zephs finished 11-10 last year and 7-7 in the Lehigh Valley Conference. And while the team features a number of returning players, the challenge is to get the younger players in step with the grind of a varsity season that includes a host of quality opponents in the LVC.

Berg-Townsend believes they have the players to stay competitive throughout the season, and her judgment was confirmed after their southern sojourn to Myrtle Beach where they defeated Pascack Valley High School last Saturday, 11-1.

While one game does not a season make, the Zephs have some good blocks onto which to build. Returning is senior catcher Regan Bortz who will be the adhesive that holds the young team together. Berg-Townsend said that Bortz will be this year's captain and will handle a new pitching staff that will benefit from her experience.

"She brings leadership and a lot of experience," said Berg-Townsend.

Bortz is also an established power hitter whose run production will be valuable in their line-up. The other senior is Courtney Dragovits, and while a newcomer to this year's squad, she'll also bring maturity to a young team.

The Zephs will also benefit from the return of juniors Abigail Nguyen (OF), Karly Klein (1B), Allison Beltz (3B), as well as sophomores Jillian Rex (OF), Rachel Spanitz (OF) and Julia Solderitch (SS).

The team will be stocked with a bunch of newcomers all eager to make their mark. Berg-Townsend said this edition of the Zephs marks the first time in four years that four freshmen will be on the team. Making the varsity plunge this year will be junior Madeleine Pasda, sophomores Gabrielle Molotoris and Taylor Stevens, and freshman Cara Bonshak, Kay Solderitch, Mackenzie Guzy and Ashlee Brosky.

The pitching chores will be handled by the tandem of Stevens and Kay Solderitch. Berg-Townsend will use this righty-lefty combo throughout the season, even making the switch during games to give the opposing team an entirely different look.

Berg Townsend said they each bring something different to the table, with the right-hander Stevens and the lefty Solderitch each capable of pounding the strike zone with a variety of pitches.

Right now the starting line-up is a mix of interchangeable parts, save Bortz. Berg-Townsend said that be the all the pieces will be in flux until she "finds what meshes right."

As they get set to begin league play, the Zephs want to remain as competitive as possible in a tough conference. Their goal is to stay in every game and see what shakes out. It's also about "getting better every day," part of their growth that will begin with those baby steps. Still, she wants to serve notice that they'll be a team that will raise some eyebrows as the season progresses.

"What I saw with this team is that not only can they compete in the conference, but they can win," he said .