Health and fitness teacher Kristen Morcone is ready to take over as the new head varsity softball coach and is excited to bring her experience and knowledge for the game into this upcoming season.

“I have been the assistant for the past two years and when Lisa Strom called me, and told me [that she was resigning], I had a little bittersweet feeling,” Morcone said. “I was excited to take over but also a little sad because we had a great relationship.”

Strom accepted a position on the softball coaching staff at Anna Maria College.

Morcone taking over isn’t going to be the only change for this year’s team.

“We lost, from the graduation, five of our nine starters specifically our pitcher Ally Courtwright,” Morcone said. “We will definitely have a bunch of new faces in the infield and the outfield along with the circle. There are some big roles to fill so we are hoping that we will have some girls step up and fill those roles.”

The open positions will let upperclassmen take leadership roles both on and off the field.

“I want our seniors and our captains to be good leaders and set good examples for everyone else,” Morcone said. “I also want to build the program instead of having a rebuilding year and of course to possibly make it into the playoffs and enter the district tournament.”

Morcone has expectations when it comes to the softball season.

“I want the girls to come out and compete everyday and I don’t expect them to be complacent,” Morcone said. “I want the players to set goals as a team and for themselves.”

The captains are ready for Morcone as their head coach and are excited to start the season.

“I’m pretty excited that she is our new coach,” senior captain Gaby Kennedy said. “Last year she was a huge help on the bench and she’s got a lot of experience in the game.”

“I think she’s going to bring a lot to the table and I think she’ll step up in a big way and contribute a lot,” senior captain Maddie Collins said. “I’m very excited and glad she got the job and I’m happy I was able to be a part of the interview where I did select her out of everyone.”

With the new season ahead, Morcone is ready to coach the girls and bring what she has up to the plate.

“I’m excited to have my own way with the program,” Morcone said. “I love to have the old T-Hawk softball traditions, but I am also ready to put in some of my own traditions.”