Paige Kogelman knew it would take time.

The former Rough Rider softball standout took over the program in 2019, and didn’t expect to have any resemblance of the Roughies’ success when she played a major role in it.

Kogelman was right. The Roughies navigated through a turbulent 0-19 campaign on her initial voyage at the helm.

Three years later, Kogelman is confident her team has found the right course. The Roughies are coming off a 5-14 campaign last season with many young returnees in place.

Kogelman understands it may take time to fill the void of last year’s seniors first baseman Marissa Rice, catcher Hailey Deschaine, and outfielder Janessa Ortiz, but she believes her budding squad is ready to take the next step.

“We have a lot of sophomores who are ready to step up,” said Kogelman. “We have a bunch of juniors, but we don’t have any seniors.

“We want to get everyone involved this year, and we will truly be a team. We feel we can have everyone contribute in their own way.

Sophomores Delaney Troxell and Alivia June are back to handle the mound duties and also alternate at shortstop. Kogelman discovered a perfect balance between the two.

“They have different pitching styles,” she said. “We were able to rotate them after so many innings. It also worked out having the one who wasn’t pitching to play short.

“We feel we have worked out a good rotation for them.”

Fellow sophomore Sophia Becker, who saw time in the infield and behind the plate, will slide back behind the plate this season. Sophomore Jordan Soltis is expected to see most of the time at third.

Kogelman is excited with the addition of transfers freshman Malia (“MJ”) Price from Whitehall and junior Nayeska Miranda from Executive Education. Price is penciled in at second base, and Miranda will handle first base.

“MJ can help us at second, but she can play any spot in the middle infield and can play outfield,” said Kogelman. “Nayeska is a natural athlete and very coachable.

“They both can help us.”

Junior Cora Soltis blossomed into the team’s center fielder last season. Kogelman indicated the remaining outfield positions were still being leading up to the season.

“They progressed last season,” said Kogelman of her team. “This year, we’re going to challenge teams, and I believe we can be in contention.”