WESTFIELD — While they couldn’t yet get on the softened turf of the softball field, at least Cowanesque Valley players and coaches were outside last week for practice. Even if it was in the parking lot of the elementary school.

Like every other team, it’s been two years since they’ve taken to their field. First-year head coach Mike Vargason is excited to see what this group can become.

“Our numbers are up, especially with underclassmen,” Vargason explains. “So pretty much all players competing for a spot are newcomers to the program. My assistant, Kip Adams, has worked with the younger group. We see potential in them. We’re excited.”

Vargason points to two key returnees that he’ll be looking at to help lead the younger players - catcher Abby Ackley and Vargason’s daughter, pitcher Makayla. 

“If you’re only going to have a couple seniors,” Vargason says, “it’s nice that it’s these two girls.”

Ackley and Makayla Vargason both started for the last CV team to compete, as sophomores, and are confident that their young teammates are ready to do the same.

“We have some really good younger players here,” Vargason says, “and we’ve been playing together through all of this, so we should be okay.”

Ackley echoes the benefits of most of this CV team having played in the offseason.

“Just about every girl here was on our travel ball team,” Ackley says. “It’s nice having so many girls that you’re used to playing with.”

Coach Vargason is excited to see the results of having a higher-than-usual number of players.

“Higher numbers means we have players that want and need to compete day-in and day-out for playing time.” Vargason explains. “We encourage this healthy competition and are anticipating some nice things from this group.”

While far too early to pinpoint any specific positions that have been decided on by the coaches, Vargason is happy to have an abundance of options at at least one spot.

“It’s pretty nice lining up 18 players into pairs to warm up and one whole side are all pitchers,” Vargason says. “I don’t like throwing the same girl every inning of every game. With nine potential pitchers we can mix it up a little.”

As for goals and/or expectations for this season, Vargason says that CV wants to be competitive, and to work hard to improve.

The Indians are scheduled to open their season at home on March 26 against Troy.

You can find CV's full-season softball schedule HERE