The Parkland High School softball team will look very different heading into the 2023 season. The defending Eastern Pennsylvania Conference champion Trojans graduated a large number of players from last year’s roster.

Head coach Barry Search welcomes back just three returning starters from the field, including junior catcher Morgan Schultz, senior first baseman Brenna Zavecz and senior outfielder Evelyn Montone.

Search will need to find new players to step up and contribute this season. A group that he feels strongly about include sophomore pitcher/shortstop Allison Hunsberger, senior second baseman Corinne Bigley, freshman pitcher/shortstop Addison Fritzinger, senior third baseman Cecilla Quiroz, junior outfielder Nikki Walker and sophomore outfielders Addison Siebert and Anna Belleteieri.

Then there is a group of players that are newer to the varsity program that Search and his staff are hoping will step up and show what they can do. This includes senior catcher Nadine Tandazo, sophomore second baseman Chelsea Drietrick, sophomore first baseman Emma Kushner, sophomore third baseman Maria Moore and senior outfielder Navaeh Young.

“It is hoped that as the year progresses the team will gain experience and grow in their ability to compete with the better teams in the league and our division,” said Search. “Teams that should set the standard for this year, Emmaus, Northampton, Nazareth, and Stroudsburg.”

Parkland begins the regular season this week with a home and conference opener against the defending District 11 champions Northampton. The Trojans then hit the road for the first time with a game at Nazareth on Thursday before closing out the week with a nonconference home game against Abington Heights on Saturday.

“This team has worked hard to prepare for the season,” Search said. “It is my hope that they can put all the pieces together and gel as one unit.”