LAKEVILLE - As the second week of high school softball around Indiana comes to an end and opening day begins on March 18, LaVille softball returns six letterwinners for 2024. The Lancers finished 2-17 overall and 0-7 in the Hoosier North Athletic Conference a year ago. Among those returning are seniors Caitlyn Goffinet and Porsha Coffin, along with junior Jasmine Foster, and sophomore Lexis Owens. Sophomores Kylah Bell and Ema Copelan are also back. Goffinet, who received All-Hoosier North Athletic Conference recognition last spring, is the top hitter among returnees. And, with the graduation of all-state and all-conference center fielder and all-state selection Heaylyn Kwiatkowski, Goffinet will move from left field to center field this spring. Coffin takes over as LaVille's number one pitcher. She made a couple of appearances in the circle a year ago, while also patrolling the outfield. Foster spent the last two seasons as the Lancer catcher, but will move to third base this season. Owens returns for her second season at shortstop. Bell will move from outfield to first base, while Copelan plays the outfield. In addition to Kwiatkowski, Karisma Lewis, Olivia Markin, Cambree Howe, and Hannah Levy-Kelly are among letterwinners not returning. Ashley Zielomski takes over as the new head coach, replacing Cassie Rossman. Rossman spent two seasons as the head softball coach at LaVille. Dave Hobaugh was the first head softball, followed by Scot Shearer. Zielomski will be assisted by Garrett McBride, Edward Willyerd, Eric Zielomski, and Frederick Cleveland. According to the new Lancer boss, the team is working to get better everyday. "Our pitching and catching team is new to the team this year," said Zielomski. "They are working on learning to communicate together and learn each other's body language. Our catcher (Maddie Atkins) is an enthusiastic and eager to learn freshman. Our pitcher is a (captain) and brings a positive vibe to the field. During hard times they will become a crucial part to keeping the team going. We have 3 groups of pitchers and catchers and plan to use them all as we strengthen as a team. The more experience they get, the more the dynamic of pitchers and catchers is going to change." As three players fill in around her in the infield, Owens will be looked to for her leadership at shortstop. Bell is at first base, sophomore Misty Willyerd at second base, and Foster slides in at third base. "Infield is mostly returning players," Zielomski said when asked about the infield. "However they are new positions for most of the players. We have a very strong infield with good communication and strong arms." Goffinet steps in as the clear leader in the outfield and it looks like the other two spots could have a younger feel. "Our outfield has a lot of speed and experienced players," says Zielomski. "But there is some fresh blood with a freshman making the starting roster." Still being early in the season and with a new coaching staff adjusting to the players and vice-versa, movement in positions and in the batting order can be expected. "Our overall outlook of the team is fresh and exciting," concluded Zielomski. "We have a lot of moving pieces and will continue to see a lot of movement throughout the season. We plan on being aggressive every chance and learning from our failures. Both our athletes and our Coaches. We plan on taking risks and seeing what happens. If we fail then we will fail together. We have done and will continue to do a lot of teambuilding to support the new team. We want softball to matter to LaVille and we plan on showing them why softball deserves to matter to LaVille." Newcomers to the team are senior Brooklyn Foster, junior Peyton Tubicsak, sophomores Misty Willyerd, Trinity Pickett, Neveah Roth, Maddie Atkins, and Emma Matter. LaVille is scheduled to open the 2024 season against Bremen on March 27. The game is scheduled for a 5 p.m. start and will be played at the LaVille High School diamond. The Lancers will compete in the Hoosier North Athletic Conference this spring before moving to the Indiana Northern State Conference beginning in 2024-25. Caston is the defending HNAC champion. LAVILLE SOFTBALL 2023 record: 2-17 overall (0-7 in HNAC) Head coach: Ashley Zielomski (first year) Assistants: Garrett McBride, Edward Willyerd, Eric Zielomski, Frederick Cleveland Letterwinners lost: (5) Cambree Howe, Hannah Levy-Kelly, Heaylyn Kwiatkowski, Karisma Lewis, Olivia Markin Letterwinners returning: (6) Seniors - Porsha Coffin (P), Caitlyn Goffinet (CF). Junior - Jasmine Foster (3B). Sophomores - Kylah Bell (1B), Ema Copelan (Flex), Lexis Owens (SS). Newcomers: Senior - Brooklyn Foster. Junior - Peyton Tubicsak. Sophomores - Misty Willyerd, Trinity Pickett. Freshmen - Maddie Atkins, Emma Matter, Neveah Roth. Opener: March 27 v. Bremen, 5 p.m. at LaVille HS field 2024 LAVILLE SOFTBALL SCHEDULE (All Times Eastern) March 27 v. BREMEN, 5 p.m. March 30 v. ROCHESTER, 11 a.m. April 2 @ New Prairie, 5 p.m. April 4 @ South Bend Clay, 5 p.m. April 6 v. KOUTS 11 a.m. April 10 at South Central (Union Mills), 5:30 p.m. April 11 v. CULVER ACADEMY, 5:30 p.m. April 12 v. SOUTH BEND WASHINGTON, 5 p.m. April 15 v. ARGOS, 5 p.m. April 16 @ *Winamac, 5:30 p.m. April 17 @ *North Judson, 5:45 p.m. April 19 v. *PIONEER, 5:30 p.m. April 22 v. *TRITON, 5 p.m. April 23 @ Washington Township, 6:15 p.m. April 26 v. *CASTON, 5:30 p.m. April 30 @ Mishawaka Marian, 5 p.m. May 2 @ Elkhart Christian Academy, 5 p.m. May 3 v. *CULVER COMMUNITY, 5 p.m. May 6 @ Oregon-Davis, 5 p.m. May 7 v. PLYMOUTH, 5 p.m. May 9 v. SOUTH BEND ADAMS, 5:30 p.m. May 10 v. JOHN GLENN, 5 p.m. May 13 @ *Knox, 5:30 p.m. May 17 @ Jimtown, 5 p.m. May 21-25 IHSAA Sectional @ South Central (Union Mills), TBA May 28 IHSAA Regional, TBA June 1 IHSAA Semi-State @ Warsaw June 7 IHSAA State Championship @ Purdue University CAPS indicate HOME GAME *denotes Hoosier North Athletic Conference game **All home games to be played at the LaVille HS softball field, unless indicated otherwise