By Sebastian Lewis

Coach Marlena Kotynski won her 250th game as the Hornets’ softball head coach last year. She looks to add to that total this season after going a disappointing 13-25 record in 2018.

They kick off their season at the Salem Invitational on February 16-17. Last year they went 2-2 at the same tournament.

The young squad lost two players to graduation, meaning that they have some experience but are also looking to incorporate some fresh faces.

The Hornets are predicted to finish 9th in the ODAC according to a pre-season poll and that isn’t sitting well with some of the players. Sierra Beaty stated that “she knows they can be a dominate team but they have to put in the work to get there.”

They also get to test their growth and how good they really are when they play the two time defending national champion Virginia Wesleyan in a double header as their regular season finale.

Beaty also said “The ODAC better be on notice because they had some dominant players last year who have only gotten better.”

Coach Kotynski did have some worries about the team though. Kotynski said “We are battling some injuries especially with pitchers so we have to keep their pitch count low. We also had to move around some players so right now we have a new shortstop who has never played that position. She can make the throws it’s just a matter of her becoming comfortable.”