Everything on paper looks great for Liberty High School's softball team this season, but head coach Sam Carrodo is determined to exceed softball fans' expectations of the young Hurricane squad.

"Our strength will be defense. Our hitting is very good, and our pitching will be better than expected," Carrodo said.

Pitcher Victoria Schmidt and outfielder Reyna DeJesus have the most varsity experience. Junior, Michaela Brunneben, will also pitch for the Hurricanes.

Liberty will have five seniors on the roster: Kelby Giering, Prescious Torres, Allison Kundrik, Kayla Wirth, and Tori Kaleycik.

Sophomores and juniors include: Kristin Kaleycik, Dallas Horning, Jess Watts, Mary Kate Sheplock, Maya Thom, Alexis Morales, Alyssa Millhouse, and Miranda Kinney.

"We have a pretty nice team, and I'm proud of the work the kids put in," said Carrodo.

The biggest obstacle for the Hurricanes this season will be lack of varsity experience.

"The JVs were 16-1 last year, so they do know how to win. They just need to learn how to bring that up to the varsity level," Carrodo said.

Carrodo is counting on his all-female coaching staff to make a difference.

"The team loves them. I think it's easier for the girls to speak to them and understand each other. The coaches have [played softball] at a higher level. There's respect back and forth," he said.

The seniors on the squad are mentally and intellectually strong, and Carrodo hopes the younger players will learn from that.

"I'm looking forward to the smiles on the players' faces when they get their first win and realize what kind of team they are," said Carrodo. "The reality is that [the coaches] don't play the game. The kids play the game. I want to see the light to go on when they realize, we're really good."