After they won a District 11 Class 6A championship lasts season with a veteran core, Whitehall will look to this season as a period of transition and not a rebuild position.

“We have a ton of new faces in new places,” said head coach Jeff Vivian, who begins his fourth season at the helm. “They will have to find their compete level this year for us to have success.”

The Zephyrs lost infielders Kate Yadush, Sienna Meli, infielder/outfielder Hannah Bundra, and catcher Aubrey Steiner, all of whom were integral parts of the Zephyrs’ program the past few years. Yadush led the team with 25 RBIs last season.

“We lost a lot of offensive production from those four girls,” noted Vivian. “Replacing that production will leave us with some question marks.”

Junior pitcher Morgan Laub is back in the circle for the Zephyrs, and Vivian will count on her heavily. Laub recorded 72 strikeouts and 45 walks in 107 innings last season.

“Morgan Laub is back with a full year under her belt,” added Vivian. “She will provide us with some solid footing.”

Along with Laub, others back in the fold are junior shortstop Josie Shultz, senior first-third baseman Bella Muth, senior outfielder Paige Tacker, senior outfielder Nya Brown, and junior second baseman Molly McFetridge.

Newcomers senior Kyra Miller, and sophomores Amya Espinal, Jules Muth, and Alyssa Dunbar also figure to be in the mix.

The Zephyrs opened the season with a 9-2 loss to North Hills in Myrtle Beach before they blanked Dieruff, 20-0. They will host Liberty Friday.

Despite the shuffling, Vivian has a positive outlook, and their last season development will be a key.

“We feel we are more athletic this year, and that should help us in most of the games,” stressed Vivian. “This year, more than ever, will not be how we start, but how we finish.”