Changes are in store this summer for the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn softball program.

Those start with a new head coach. Stephanie Bronstad, who was a varsity assistant since 2018, succeeds Carissa Post who led the program for three seasons.

Bronstad is no stranger to H-M-S softball. She played on the Hawks' 1994 state tournament team and was an assistant middle school coach before joining the varsity staff.

Also new to the high school staff are assistant coach Barb Haag and volunteer coach Tadd Knobloch.

H-M-S graduated two seniors and two other players on last year's team did not return. But as far as the coaches are concerned, all positions are open.

"We have nine holes to fill," Bronstad said. "We need girls who can hit and field, not one or the other."

Experienced candidates to fill those positions include seniors Darby Mastbergen, Elle Mastbergen, Taya Mason and Jessica Riedemann; junior Bailey VerHelst; and sophomores Cadence Klein and Emily Mutombo. In addition, senior Maggie Ohrt played in the outfield two years ago.

Several players were involved in spring sports, so the varsity softball lineup probably won't be solidified until this week.

"We haven't had a lot of practice with everybody there. It's hard to determine," she said. "We'll try some different lineups and probably adjust the first week."

Player versatility will help make those adjustments successful.

"We have some returners with experience, and I can put some girls in different spots if I need them," Bronstad noted.

Mason is the only returning varsity pitcher. The 2020 honorable mention all-War Eagle Conference selection led the team in innings and strikeouts.

Also vying for varsity pitching time are eighth grader Gracie Knobloch and freshman Abby Otto.

"Pitching-wise, we're good this summer," Bronstad said. "We need to work on the mental game with the pitchers."

There will be a change in the infield defensive philosophy, with the first and third basemen moving off the lines to cut off the holes.

"The girls are trying to get used to that," Bronstad acknowledged.

The outfield is expected to be one of H-M-S's stronger areas.

"We have some quick girls with good arms. That will help," she said.

One area of concern is hitting. The Hawks had a .258 team batting average in 2020, but two of that team's top hitters aren't in the lineup this year.

There has also been heavy emphasis on fundamentals during early morning practices, and the players are responding.

"Practicing at 5:30 a.m. isn't easy for high school kids. They show up and they work hard," Bronstad said. "They are taking the technique drills and putting them to use."

She expects H-M-S will see strong competition in the War Eagle Conference.

"Akron-Westfield is always really good and Gehlen Catholic has always been decent," she noted. "There's going to be good competition. It will be competitive to fight for those Top 3 spots."

H-M-S head coach Stephanie Bronstad.

To move up from a ninth-place finish a year ago to possibly the upper half of the conference, the Hawks are working to make every game a seven-inning contest.

"Our team goal is to make it seven innings," Bronstad said. "We will win a lot more games than we will lose if we can do that."

Another key concept this year is focus.

"Focus is our big word this year," she said. "It's just the little things that we're trying to work on."