OKEMOS - Okemos softball is ready to return to the diamond after one of their best seasons in recent history.

Last year, the Chiefs finished second in the CAAC blue with twenty-plus wins, behind Grand Ledge and Holt, who tied for first.
The team also came in second place at the Diamond Classic, a prestigious tournament in the Lansing area.

"Every year we want to try to win the league, we definitely want to win our districts and we want to get invited to the diamond classic," said Head Coach Chrissy Schoonover. "Those three things are big for us."

The Okemos squad lost a number of seniors from last year's team, including pitcher Caitlin Meade, who threw a "about 90 percent of our games," according to Schoonover.

Right now, Schoonover is looking at three potential players to fill the void on the mound.

"It might end up being by committee if you know, maybe one throws one game another one throws another game or if I could split two one game," Schoonover said. "But it is a really nice option to have."

The Chiefs believe they have the power to out-hit their opponents, but need to work on pushing through defensive mistakes.

"I would say our strengths are hitting, we have some really good hitters this year, but our weakness is going to be out in the field and just making sure we get the outs and if we make errors just work through them," said junior catcher Kate Buckland.

Buckland will serve as a captain this season, along with senior third baseman Kaleigh King, who recently signed her letter of intent to play at Jackson College.

Right now though, King's focus is on helping her team to grow and improve in 2015.

"I'm looking forward to seeing how the team's going to develop throughout the year and just playing with these girls," King said.. "It's my last year and I have known these girls since they've played here. So I'm so excited to be a leader towards them and see how the season goes."