Independent file photo TMB’s Jadyn Lessman delivers a pitch during their game against Lakeview on May 2, 2019. No team photo was available at press time.

TRACY — The Tracy-Milroy-Balaton softball team had an up-and-down season in 2019, going 11-10 overall. After not being able to compete last spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Panthers will look to have another winning season under coach Karl Campbell.

Campbell said while they are glad to be on the field again, a key adjustment will be getting used to the COVID protocols.

“I don’t feel like we are back to normal. We still have protocols with masks at this time which I hope some common sense comes into play regarding the safety factors of a softball flying around a field,” Campbell said. “We’re glad we are on course to get going and the weather looks like it will be decent to start the season.”

TMB will have multiple veteran leaders back, led by Mady Swan, Jadyn Lessman, Megan Surprenant, Margaret Dolan and Kiarra Danielson. Campbell said they’ll look to rely on that experience going into the season.

“We return both starting pitchers from two years ago with Mady and Jadyn.  Megan, Margret, and Kiarra were all starters as well, so it is not like we are starting from scratch. Having 5 experienced players on the field will certainly help,” Campbell said. “I anticipate our pitching to be a plus; most of our senior high girls played summer ball last summer when the restrictions eased up some. The big difference from years past is we don’t have a lot of time to get ready. We also have a number of girls that are taking off on family vacations over the course of the first three weeks of the season which will also challenge our lineup.”