LAPEL — With a youthful team and new head coach, Lapel couldn’t be happier with the way the start of its 2022 softball season.

The Bulldogs are under first-year head coach Ellie Balbach, who was a standout pitcher/hitter at both NCAA Division II Grand Valley State and nearby Mt. Vernon (Fortville) High School.

Her 19-player team has only two seniors and has freshmen already stepping in contributing early in their high school careers.

The Bulldogs won their opening 16-2 on Monday, March 21, against Heritage Christian.

Since the win, Lapel has had four straight games (Elwood, Zionsville, Hamilton Heights and Greenfield-Central) postponed because of weather. They were scheduled to host rival Frankton on Tuesday and Yorktown Wednesday before spring break.

“I know we only got one game in last week, but they did some of those things we’ve been working on in practice for weeks,” Balbach said. “They see it’s working. They’re really buying into the program and that’s really great.

“Overall, we have a lot of talent. We’re a pretty young team. We have two strong senior leaders that bring a lot of experience and talent, but overall we’re very young.”

Balbach said she expects to see four or five freshmen as lineup regulars, but they will be led by two talented seniors, who both have plans at playing at the next level.

Power-hitting first baseman Ashlynn Allman, who is a three-sport standout for the Bulldogs, has committed to play softball collegiately at NAIA school St. Francis, in Fort Wayne. Taylor Williams, a catcher, has plans to stay in Madison County and play at Division III program Anderson.

“You can’t argue Ashlynn’s bat. It’s insane,” Balbach said. “Along with the leadership from Taylor behind the plate, and in general, they are going to be key aspects this year that we’re going to need.”

Freshmen Ava Everman and Karlie Jannings handled the pitching in the impressive opening day win against the Eagles. Both could be in the lineup as outfielders when they are not pitching.

Even the experienced pitching comes from a youngster.

Sophomore Krystin Davis pitched a lot at the varsity level last season and is expected to be the everyday shortstop when not in the circle. She’ll also add speed and power to the leadoff spot for the offense.

Freshman Tatum Harper is at second base and will move to shortstop when Davis pitches. She’s another key hitter at the top of the Bulldog order.

Frosh Laylah Gore can play a lot of positions, including spelling Williams at catcher, as well as other spots in the infield. Taylor Mroz is another frosh in the mix for some time in the outfield.

Jordan Tracy, a junior, gets the nod in centerfield. She will be much like a freshman, experience-wise. Like everyone else, she missed the 2020 season due to COVID-19, in addition, she was out last season with an an injury.

Another junior, Alexa Owens, is slotted to see time at third base.

“We bring a lot of talent and we bring a lot of power,” Balbach added. “We can compete with anyone. You look at our lineup and you think we’re a young team, but I don’t think that should discredit us at all.”