Lutheran West opens the 2023 season with four returning starters and several others with varsity experience on the roster.
The Longhorns did replace a large group of graduated seniors with talented freshmen eager to make their mark on the program.
“Heading into the season, we are cautiously optimistic,” said Lutheran West coach Amy Sullivan. “The girls have worked very hard, and we are excited to see them put it all together. We graduated a large group of seniors, but have an amazing freshman class ready to step in.”
Lutheran West closed out the 2022 season with a 4-13 mark and was a competitive 2-4 in the Chagrin Valley Conference Metro Division.
A win in the postseason gave the Longhorns a taste of what they’ll need to do in order to compete this season.
To do that, returning starters Alexia Martir, Leslie Sullivan, Larissa Sullivan, and Aryana Garcia will be counted on to set the tone in practice and on game day.
Martir, a junior, will start at second base.
Junior Leslie Sullivan, a first-team All-CVC selection last spring, will pitch and also play first or third base when needed.
“She will be a huge contributor for us,” Coach Sullivan said. “She can play anywhere we need her. She has worked hard on her hitting and fielding in the offseason. She ended last season with a .300 batting average and a .956 fielding percentage.”
Larissa Sullivan, also a junior, will pitch and play the outfield.
“Larissa has been taking pitching lessons with Dave Leffew in the offseason and has really improved,” Coach Sullivan said. “We are looking to her to pitch a lot of innings this spring.”
Garcia, a sophomore, returns at shortstop. She batted .269 last season with a .786 fielding percentage.
“Ary has really impressed us so far in the preseason,” Sullivan said. “She has blinding speed on the base path and we are really looking to capitalize on that.”
Rounding out the projected starting lineup are Mariah Horvath, who will play third and catch, outfielder Gisselle Cedeno, utility player Narah Cuevas, catcher/third baseman Emmy Hayes, and outfielder Peyton Steinbrenner.
Cedeno, a senior, is a returning letter winner along with junior Kellie Kashubeck.
Hayes and Horvath are freshmen who quickly exceeded their coach’s expectations.
“Our strength lies in the bond this team shares,” Sullivan said. “They get along beautifully and really understand the ‘We before me’ concept. They work hard for each other. I think if we can get through the inexperience, they will be a tough team to compete with.”
