NEW BETHELEHEM — Monday at a rainy New Bethlehem Little League complex, the Redbank Valley Lady Bulldogs softball team tried to start the season.

In what was prelude to a nice mid-March snowstorm, rain eventually washed out the Lady Bulldogs’ opener against Johnsonburg. Head coach Lee Miller’s team was up 6-3 batting in the bottom of the second inning when the game was suspended.

The Lady Bulldogs were 14-8 last year, qualifying for the state playoffs after finishing second in District 9 Class 2A behind Cranberry. Miller lost two senior regulars to graduation and return seven regulars, six of them seniors.

Always optimistic, Miller is looking forward to another run at that D9 title in his fifth season.

“Our seniors came in with a different mindset,” Miller said Monday night. “They’re locked in and their work ethic is better. We’re expecting big things. We can hit and field with anyone in the league. It’ll be the dominant pitchers who will be tough, but I think we’re positioned right there in the thick of things for the KSAC and District 9 Class 2A.”

The six senior returning starters are Quinn White, Bella Orr, Alara Altobelli, Braylee Yeany, Molly Evans and Natalie Troup. White anchors the defense at shortstop and will be in the middle of the lineup as she’s coming off a solid year at the plate where she hit .437 with five home runs and 24 runs batted in.

“Quinn is a heckuva ballplayer and she’s turned into a great leader for us,” Miller said. “She’s definitely the leader with her play and verbally. She’s taking charge of the team and all the girls respect her.”

Orr (.351) moves to second base from third in what Miller thinks will be a big upgrade up the middle defensively. Evans (.365) shifts from second to first base while freshman Cora Sturgeon slots in at third base.

Altobelli and sophomore Avery Ortz, the other returning starter, will start at center and left field respectively or flip that according to Miller. Freshman Hadlee Rearick is likely the starting rightfielder, although Miller said that Troup, who started at designated player Monday, could also play right field along with junior Breanna Crawford, sophomores Summer Bish and Kendall Wilson.

In the circle, it’s a freshman duo of Taylor George and Abby Altobelli. Monday, George struck out four and walked one while giving up two hits. Miller knows he won’t have the workhorse starter like he had the past four seasons with Mackenzie Foringer.

“We’ll get them a lot of reps,” Miller said. “It won’t be a one-horse show any more and we’ll split their innings fairly even until maybe one takes charge and becomes the dominant one.”

Miller’s coaching staff consists of Casey Sturgeon, Mike Rearick, Michael T. Rearick, Sami Leasure, T.L. Hetrick, Corey Wilson and Elaina Miller.

The Lady Bulldogs host Brookville next Thursday after their annual spring trip this weekend to Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

ROSTER

Seniors: Alara Altobelli, Bella Orr, Quinn White, Braylee Yeany, Molly Evans, Natalie Troup.

Juniors: Breanna Crawford.

Sophomores: Avery Ortz, Summer Bish, Kendall Wilson

Freshmen: Hadlee Rearick, Cora Sturgeon, Taylor George, Abby Altobelli.

SCHEDULE

March: 16-Johnsonburg (leading 6-3, susp., 3rd inning); 20-24-At Pigeon Forge, Tenn., Ripken Complex; 26-Brookville, 4:30 p.m.; 31-Keystone, 4:30 p.m.

April: 2-at Karns City, Slippery Rock, 7 p.m.; 7-at Moniteau, 4 p.m.; 10-at DuBois CC (Heindl Field), 4 p.m.; 14-Karns City, 4:15 p.m.; 16-Moniteau, 4:30 p.m.; 18-Mercer (Heindl Field, DuBois), noon; 18-Forest Area (Heindl Field), 4 p.m.; 21-Central Clarion, 4:30 p.m.; 23-at Brookville, 4:15 p.m.; 25-at Curwensville, TBA; 27-A-C Valley/Union, 4:30 p.m.; 29-Elk County Tournament, St. Marys, 2 games, TBA.

May: 4-at Cranberry. 4:15 p.m.; 6-Brockway, 4:30 p.m.