Front row, from left: Jayda Buckley, Hannah Gochenaur, Morgan Farmer, Kendra Martin, Makayla Schmidt and Briana Fenton. Back row, from left: coach Deb Yando, Kayleigh Merrill, Andrea Boon, Natalie Dewey, Iris Glinski, Lindsay Reeve and Katy Holvik. (Enterprise photo — Lou Reuter)

Front row, from left: Jayda Buckley, Hannah Gochenaur, Morgan Farmer, Kendra Martin, Makayla Schmidt and Briana Fenton. Back row, from left: coach Deb Yando, Kayleigh Merrill, Andrea Boon, Natalie Dewey, Iris Glinski, Lindsay Reeve and Katy Holvik.
(Enterprise photo — Lou Reuter)

SARANAC LAKE — The goal for the Saranac Lake softball team this season is simple. A veteran Red Storm squad wants to win games.

And with eight starters returning for their final season as starters, and four more junior varsity veterans moving up as juniors, coach Deb Yando hopes it’s the right combination to make that happen.

“Basically, our goal is to keep our heads in the game and win,” Yando said. “We want to have a much better record than we have in the past. I think this year is our year. We have a veteran team. We’ve got a pretty good shot at a winning record this year.”

Arguably the most important position in softball is the pitcher, and Saranac Lake should be in good hands there as Morgan Farmer is back for her final year. The senior made huge strides during the Red Storm’s 2016 campaign, and she’ll be backed up by senior Andrea Boon and junior Jayda Buckley.

Buckley, along with senior Briana Fenton, are listed as Saranac Lake’s second basemen, and senior Kendra Martin will return to her spot at first base. Makayla Schmidt will line up at third base, and junior Kayleigh Merrill rounds out the infield at shortstop.

In addition to pitching, Boon could also see action at third base and catcher.

Senior Lindsay Reeve will lead the outfielders in center. Also playing the outfield will be returner Katie Holvik and newcomers Natalie Dewey and Hanna Gochenaur.

Senior Iris Glinski returns for her third year starting behind the plate.

A host of Saranac Lake’s players are on varsity for their third seasons, and Yando hopes that experience will also pay off at the plate. She said Reeve, Martin and Merrill, a first-year player, could be some of the team’s top hitters this spring, although the team hadn’t had the opportunity to get in outdoor practice time prior to spring break. Yando added that Buckley and Fenton could also be big producers at the plate.

“Lindsay is a really good hitter, Kayleigh is looking great and Kendra said she worked hard all summer and looks good in the cage,” Yando said. “I think our bats can be pretty good.”

After struggling with wins and losses during recent seasons, Yando said Saranac Lake is fielding an experienced, athletic team seeking success.

“Many of these girls have been working in the offseason, and it shows,” Yando said. “They are veterans who work well together, and they are really, really close. I think just being so close, they already know each other so well, we’re hoping everything just falls into place on the field.”

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Roster

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Seniors

Morgan Farmer

Iris Glinski

Andrea Boon

Kendra Martin

Briana Fenton

Lindsay Reeve

Makayla Schmidt

Katie Holvik

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Juniors

Jayda Buckley

Kayleigh Merrill

Natalie Dewey

Hanna Gochenaur