Shadow

Third-year Hesston College softball coach Andrew Sharp leads a young team on the field in 2012 with hopes of surpassing last year’s 18-win season. Fifteen players from nine states comprise this year’s roster, including nine freshmen.

“We’re deeper and more athletic than we’ve been the last two years,” Sharp said. “But we graduated a tremendous group of sophomores and will need some younger kids to step up and assume leadership roles. I love the work ethic and morale of this team. They’re a solid group.”

The Larks begin a rigorous 48-game schedule in mid-February, highlighted by a spring break trip to Sarasota, Fla., where Hesston will play six games against top area teams. 30 games versus Region VI opponents comprise the bulk of the schedule.