With a new season ready to kick off this week, Orange Lutheran softball is gearing up for another championship run.
 
OLu has won four consecutive Trinity League titles and came up just short in last year's CIF-SS Division 1 championship game. This year, the Lancers are returning seven starters from last season's varsity roster and will be adding some newcomers who are expected to make an immediate impact.
 
Trinity League Player of the Year Kai Minor is back in centerfield for her senior season. Minor is ranked as the top player in California by MaxPreps, and the Oklahoma commit is continuing to lead her teammates both on and off the diamond.
 
"She's in a league of her own," says OLu softball head coach Steve Miklos of Minor. "Great hitter, great fielder, good speed, gets great jumps and great reads off the bat. Leadership-wise, she's really matured and developed into a leader. She's a mentor for our younger players. She's really taken a good leadership role for us, and the girls have all rallied around that."
 
Other key fielders for the Lancers include seniors Grace Harrison, Chloe McGreevey and Olivia Oskorus, along with juniors Madelyn Armendariz and Sierra Nichols.
 
On the mound, Miklos sees a dominant pitching staff, including junior transfer Jo Marsh and freshman Rylee Silva.
 
"I'm happy with the way our pitching situation looks," says Miklos. "Combined with our seasoned players from last year's squad, I'm optimistic that we're going to be pretty good this year."
 
The program will compete in some high profile tournaments, including the Dave Kops Tournament of Champions (March 6 – 8) and the Michelle Carew Classic (April 2 – 5). The Lancers begin their season against Santiago Corona on February 19 as part of the SoCal's Best Showcase, and Trinity League games begin March 28 when OLu hosts JSerra.
 
Coming in at #2 in OC Varsity's preseason rankings, Miklos feels this might be the best roster he's had in his 27 years of coaching at OLu, and he is excited to see how their depth and talent translate onto the field.
 
"With our mix of depth, positions, speed, power and pitching, it's a good combination," says Miklos. "It's a really talented group of girls. We should be a lot of fun to watch."