As the 2023 spring season kicks off, the Southern Lehigh High School softball team looks to mirror the success they reached in past years. Following their 17-6 record in the 2021-22 season, expectations are high for the Spartans. Such success is thanks to the girls’ hard work, dedication, and great leadership by Coach Brian Neefe.

To reach the same success they’re known to achieve, the Spartans participate in activities to unite the team.

“We always participate in team bonding to get everyone included,” junior Morghan Davies said. “We [also] always have our signature cheers before the games and warm-up.”

Third base guard and fellow junior leader Kaley Hoffman also fills the role of being an exceptional role model to her younger teammates.

“As a team, we’re really motivated by our competitiveness,” Hoffman said. “We don’t just want to play; we want to compete. We spend more time preparing mentally for games than physically.”

Despite having no senior players this season, the juniors are ready to put their best foot forward to lead the team to success. Davies and Hoffman, along with fellow juniors Chloe Benner and Alexa Smith, are prepared to set the standard of leadership and skill for the underclassmen.

“This may be tough for the juniors since we need to step up early and try to regroup the team as a whole,” Davies said.

Without senior players, the team is facing many changes, and training new players who are still learning the ins and outs of softball.

“We’re going to be a very young team this year, and there will be a lot of newnesses to get used to,” Hoffman said. “This year, there’s also going to be a lot of positional and lineup changes, so it’s another new factor.”

Southern Lehigh holds over thirty Colonial League titles, and the Spartans are seeking to collect another trophy to add to the showcase. Facing especially tough competition this season against rivals such as Wilson, Palmerton, and Northwestern, the girls prepare to come out even stronger than before.

“Our goal this season is to qualify for districts again and be as successful as I know we can be,” Hoffman said.