While some might look at the cupboard as being bare for the Weatherford College softball team, with one starter returning, coach Haylee Williams prefers to look at it a fresh start with a lot of potential and talent. 

Sophomore Lilly Bean is the lone returner from last season's 39-16 team that was ranked as high as No. 14 in the nation. She led the team in several categories, including batting average (.414), on base percentage (.481), doubles (19), runs batted in (55) and extra-base hits (29) and was named first-team All-Northern Texas Junior College Athletic Conference. 

In addition, Bean was named a National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-America Scholar Athlete for maintaining a grade point average of 3.5 or higher for the 2022-23 academic year. 

"We are extremely young this year, but they are talented, competitive, and a well-rounded group, so we still have high expectations for this group," Williams said. 

As their season begins at Northeast Texas Community College in Mt. Pleasant Wednesday, the Coyotes are ranked No. 20 in the nation by the National Junior College Athletic Association.  

Williams' track record of success is proof that she can get the most out of talent, be it returning experience or those new to the collegiate level. And with last season being one of the program's best, and including a 22-10 record in conference and a 25-5 mark at home, the team had plenty of success from reserves who look to make a charge for a starting spot this season.  

Key reserves returning from last season include Tori Thompson (corner/catcher), Rozalyn Simmons, whom Williams said will bring some intensity and experience. Breklyn Daniell (utility) is "a tremendous defender and a good base runner. She brings a hard-nosed approach and good softball IQ to the team," Williams said, adding, "Alexis Nava (infielder) is another sophomore that had a good fall season and could see some time at first base, DP (designated player) and maybe even in the (pitchers) circle." 

Because the NCAA and NJCAA granted players an extra year of eligibility to players due to the COVID 19 pandemic, Williams said she knew the 2023 recruiting class was going to be large class, and she said it needed to be talented with a good mix of speed and power. She said a lot of power and offense was added in: 

• Presley Humphrey, first base/pitcher, Texarkana, Texas. 

• Sadie Reid, middle infielder, Newark 

• Texas Ray, corner, Aledo 

• Jill Franco, utility, Lubbock 

• Hanna Bartels, outfield, Weatherford 

• Emma Thompson, first base, Sulphur, Louisiana 

• Kaela Gillis, utility, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada 

Williams noted two good defenders who will hit for average are middle infielder Bella Alosi (Reno, Nevada) and shortstop Makanalei Lapera (Kailua, Hawaii). 

Seeing a need to replace the speed lost after last season, Williams brought in the likes of Alexah Reyes (outfield, Justin), Abby Holder (outfield, Denton) and Kylee Lansbury (outfield, Amarillo).  

"Those three cover a ton of ground in the outfield," Williams said. 

Some pitchers who complement each other, Williams said, include Caydin Blackmon (Grandview), Lindsey Oliver (Watauga) and McKayla Fish (San Diego). 

In all, the Coyotes have 17 freshmen on the roster for the coming season. 

"Everyone on our roster can and will help us win ball games this spring," Williams said. 

A big part of the fall season, which does not count in the team's record or any standings, is to get the team to gel. Williams was happy with the results of the fall campaign. 

"Our fall went well. We played a tough fall schedule against several DI and D2 NCAA schools in order to prepare for our tough spring schedule and conference schedule," she said. "We emphasized fundamentals and executing team defense. We showed resiliency and competitiveness. We played really good defense and pitched well, our offense started to show up towards the end of the fall, which was expected.   

"I am hoping we pick up where we left off offensively." 

The conference and Region V are annually considered among the best in the nation, and this season should be no different, Williams said. 

"It's a tough schedule but we love it and wouldn't want to play anywhere else," She said. "We expect to compete and be there in the end." 

WC will play their first home doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 10 against Northeast Texas starting at 1 p.m. at Stuart Field.