The Valmeyer Pirates did not even field a varsity softball team last season due to a lack of players, but that is not the case in 2014, as they will once again compete in the Kaskaskia Division of the Cahokia Conference.

Valmeyer has several players returning from the 2012 season, during which the Pirates went 7-15. In fact, they’ve only lost two players from that squad: Bree Whittington and Caitlin Nappier.

Returning players from the 2012 season include seniors Paige Bangle (catcher), Elizabeth Chism (second base, shortstop) and Danielle Wilson (outfield), juniors Miranda Kaufmann (pitcher, shortstop, outfield) and Grace Nappier (first base).

Bangle hit .351 in 2012 with 19 stolen bases, while Kaufmann hit .273 and Grace Nappier hit .276.

New additions for the Pirates in 2014 include junior Sammi Sensel (third base), sophomore Daria Wilson (outfield), and freshmen Maddison Hansen (pitcher, outfield), Jordyn Killy (pitcher, shortstop, catcher), Blair Brady (outfield) and Claire DeBourge (outfield).

“Our strengths will be hitting and defense,” Valmeyer head coach Rich Kasson said. “I think our players are very capable of doing well this season. We have a really good team, and if we can stay healthy we will win our share of games and be competitive. Our team goal is to win conference and regionals this year.”

Some key games on the schedule for the Pirates this season, according to Kasson, are Gibault and Althoff.

“It’s difficult to say what our key games will be this year since we didn’t have a team in the conference last year,” Kasson said.

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