The Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School softball team narrowly missed the championship tournament last year, and the girls don’t intend to let that happen again.

“We’re definitely goal oriented,” said new head coach Brandon Mendez.

With a roster 34 girls strong and only three seniors, Mendez has some work to do, but as the former freshmen coach, he already knows the lay of the land.

This season, Mendez is taking over the head position left open by former coach Dave Lamonte. Old Colony’s physical education teacher, Amanda Reynolds, has signed on as the new assistant coach.

Mendez says he's bringing his own style to the varsity team.

“Things are a little different already,” he said.

After only a week and a half of practice, senior Courtney Cunha of Rochester said the team feels supported by Mendez.

“He puts us girls first,” she said. “He will take and show you what you did wrong.”

The girls, said Cunha, are already operating as a unit, too.

“We all work as a team. No cliques,” she said.

Junior Katarina Faulkner of Mattapoisett is also looking for a “promising” season.

“Everybody wants it. I think all the girls are striving for the same goal for the team,” she said.

Mattapoisett freshman Alexa Shorrock said she already feels like she is learning a lot.

“I like that we all work together,” said Shorrock, who has played softball for seven years.

The Lady Cougars are hoping to present a united front at their first game, at home, April 8 against Norfolk Aggie.

A conference game, Mendez admitted, “It’s a tough way to start.”

That doesn’t mean he’s worried about the season.

“Energy and enthusiasm will carry us through the growing pains,” said Mendez. “Our ability to be a team will help us.”

He said the team will be aggressive on the bases, that is, once they can get to them.

The team, like most in the area, has been practicing indoors while the fields slowly thaw.

In the meantime, Mendez has most of his starting players set.

In the infield, Cunha will be joined by juniors Anne Harrison, Cydney Girard, Katarina Faulkner, Emily Rand and sophomore Savannah Lopes.

In the outfield are seniors Megan Galavotti and Antonia Baravella, junior Kaitlynn Pina, sophomore Bailey Campbell and freshman Mikayala Murray.

With these strong players and plenty of up and coming athletes, the Lady Cougars are looking good.

Said Mendez, “Our goal is to make the tournament and to improve as a team overall.”