By Paige Szygiel – Staff Reporter

The Lady Lawmen are very confident for their 2016 season.

They have high expectations and plan to fill the big positions they lost.

This year the team is led by senior captains Erin Saley, Gege Romero, and Megan Smith.

“My expectations for this season are to make states and make it through the first round again,” Smith said. “I expect the underclassmen to step up and work their hardest to fill the positions we lost last year.”

The Lawmen lost three big starters last year, and were a little hesitant on how the younger freshman would fill their positions.

“Some upcoming freshman are Cali Jolley in the infield working at shortstop and Ally Stein tracking balls in the outfield,” sophomore Erin Harrigan said.

Some other freshmen are Erica Boehm and Gina Bocamazzo.

“I’m very excited for this season to start,” Jolley said. “They expect a lot from everyone and that really motivates me to do the best I can.”

The talent doesn’t just stop there: the team is filled with very talented players and that will be a key to getting to their goal of reaching the state tournament.

“Gege Romero is one of our key players,” Saley said. “We rely on her because she can play multiple positions in the infield and is very confident.”   

One of the team’s strengths is the bond they have on and off the field.

“I’ve been playing with these girls for awhile, even before high school,” Romero said. “We’ve all created great bonds and all of us are great friends.”

The Lawmen know which teams will be tough this season.

“Some challenging teams will be Lauralton, Amity, and East Haven because they always go far in the tournament,” Saley said.

They will put their key players to the test and they are confident that they will be the ones coming out on top.

“Maddie Murphy is one of our big hitters,” Smith said. “We lost big batters last year and she definitely has what it takes to step up her game even more this year.”

The senior leaders plan to steer their team in the right direction.

“We all look up to the captains,” Boehm said. “They help us with whatever we need and make sure we fully understand the positions we have to fill.”