2014 Faith Lutheran Softball Capsule

FAITH LUTHERAN

Head coach: John Chilman, fifth season

2013 record: 22-15, (9-1 Sunset, first)

Returning letter winners (starters): Six (Five)

Top players: 3B Lauryn Lipe (Sr.), 2B Bri Yee (Sr.), DP Alex Wright (Sr.), OF Vanessa Valdez (Jr.), OF Lili Bonora (Sr.)

Outlook: The Crusaders bring back five starters from a team that advanced to the Division I-A state tournament.

Wright, who hit .417, and Lipe (.313, 28 RBIs) are back to lead the offense.

“If the Crusaders are going to repeat last year’s state tournament run, they will have to find a way to replace four-year letter winner Rachel Kerr and All-State players Stacie Graham, Mandi Young and Kelly Zufall,” Chilman said. “Six returning seniors hope to improve on last year’s first-place finish, but they will need a number of underclassmen to step up and play some pretty big roles.”