Bethlehem Catholic softball’s newcomers are already meshing well with its veterans as the Golden Hawks’ season is set to start this week.

Four-year starter Emma Bond returns in the circle, and Teighan Boyle returns behind the plate, also a four-year starter.

Two more seniors, Jordan Merklin and Angelina Iovino, are returning and will move from the infield to the outfield.

Coach Rich Mazza and the Hawks have two more pitchers at the ready: Liberty transfer Hailey Pyle, who will also play second base, and Mia VanFleet, both sophomores.

Mazza has high hitting expectations for juniors Francesca Oberholzer at first base and Leah Chladny, outfielder.

“Leah is new to the team. She has good speed and a strong arm. She’s a nice hitter,” he said.

Freshman Sophia Rivera will be at shortstop, and another freshman, Sarah Banko, will play third base.

“When you’re playing freshmen, you don’t know how they’re going to react,” Mazza said. “I thought hitting would be our strength, but we didn’t have a lot of hitting in our scrimmages. But our freshmen played in the fall league at Pates Park, so they’re fitting in well.”

Rounding out the Hawks’ roster are junior Kristal Torres, who is currently injured, and freshmen Jovie Valenzuela and Brooklyn Miller, who made her high school start at catcher this past Saturday against Notre Dame Green Pond.

Becahi’s first conference game is scheduled for Tuesday, past Press deadlines, at home against Freedom.