In addition, Clarion will have only two seniors on the 2008 roster. However, Clarion manager Dan Shofestall believes the talent in his younger players will make up for the lack of experience on the club.

“I like our mix of kids,” said Shofestall. “I feel we have a talented freshman class that is coming in that is working hard. We’ve got good sophomores, our juniors are pretty solid, and our two seniors are very good.

“I think we have a good nucleus.”

Shofestall believes that one of the keys to the season for his Bobcats will be how they handle adversity.

“I call it the ‘turtle syndrome,’” said Shofestall. “In past years, when a tough situation would come up in a game, we were like a turtle, we would just pull our heads back into our shell and we didn’t want to face adversity.

“Every year we have gotten a little bit better (at overcoming adversity), and we just have to learn that we can get stronger every time we work out of a tough inning, out of a jam, we have to understand that is how teams get good. You can’t get scared in those situations.”

The biggest hole Clarion has to fill is at the shortstop position. Emily Eagleton was the starting shortstop and leadoff hitter from last year’s club. Sophomore Holly Reed and freshman Tiffany Smathers are competing for the shortstop role in 2008.

“They both have a lot of athleticism,” said Shofestall. “So I think we’ll be alright there.”

If there is one area on the Bobcats’ squad this season Shofestall has little to worry about, it is his pitching staff.

“We’ve got four pitchers,” said Shofestall. And all of them are going to see action.”

The four players who are going to see action on the hill for Clarion this season will be junior Alisha Walters, senior Kelly Stroup, junior Lauren Everett and Smathers.

The Bobcats also will have to replace their catcher from last year. Morgan Wiser is out of the lineup for now, resting a shoulder injury. Two freshmen, Kelly Peterson and Abby Heller, will fill in until Wiser is healthy enough to play.

Kelsey Beichner, Stroup and Everett will all split time at the first-base position, while Smathers, Everett and junior Karla Peterson have all seen action during spring training at the second-sacker position.

Third base has three players vying for the position with junior Cierra Arnett, Stroup and Heller all seeing time there during the spring.

“I feel confident that we can move people in and out a lot,” said Shofestall. “We’ve got players who are willing to work at each position wherever you put them.”

Much like the infield, the Clarion outfield is unsettled for the season. Karla Peterson has an inside shot at the centerfield position because of her speed. Other players that are vying for time in the outfield will be, in no particular order, Becky Rhoads, Kayla Ruddy, Andi Frazier, Angela Driscoll, Mary Divins, Hannah Barnett, and Ashley Steiner.

Shofestall thinks not having anyone set at a field position will be beneficial to for his team.

“It’s always good to have competition,” said Shofestall. “I think that brings the best out in us.

“I think whoever does win the position, the girl that is backing her up is good enough that the starter better know that there is somebody pushing her pretty hard back there.”

Shofestall has been encouraged by his team’s progress throughout the spring.

“They are working hard, they’re attitude has been great and they are willing to learn,” said Shofestall. “I can’t ask for anymore than that.

“Our goal is to get one percent better every night in practice, that is what we are striving for.”