By LYNN GROLL

groll@crescent-news.com

The second campaign of the Krista Ordway era is just around the corner as the Bulldogs of Defiance return to the diamond for the 2008 season.

"Preseason has been going great," explained Ordway, who guided the Bulldogs to a 13-8 mark and a sectional title in her first season as the DHS mentor. "We're all very excited to get started playing."

Defiance will head into the new season with some big shoes to fill with the graduation of four-year standout Dee Dee Hillman along with fellow seniors Elissa Kroeckel and Lesley Vogelsong.

Hillman, who is currently continuing her education and softball career at Ohio State University, paced the Bulldogs a year ago with a .426 batting average and was second on the team with 21 runs scored.

"Dee Dee is going to be very hard to replace," admitted Ordway." Anyone I put at shortstop has very big shoes to fill. We are still trying a few people at shortstop. All three seniors from last year will be missed because they all brought something to our team."

While Ordway has some hefty talent to replace with the loss of three seniors, a dozen letterwinners return to the roster to give the Bulldogs an experience cast going into the new season.

The returning group is highlighted by a trio of All-WBL selections from last year.

Western Buckeye League Offensive Player of the Year Lindsey Tobias returns for her junior campaign in center field after leading the team with eight round-trippers and 23 RBI to go along with a .365 average, 19 runs scored and eight doubles.

Senior infielder Brittany Lopez (.343 batting average, 13 runs scored), who begins here fourth season at the varsity level is back along with fellow senior Marissa McDonald (.424 batting average, 10 RBI, team-best 22 runs scored and team-high 10 doubles), who will start at first base.

"We have almost everyone returning which is a plus," remarked Ordway. "Brittany Lopez will be a great asset to our team. She may be seeing some time at shortstop along with second base. She has been really working on slapping from the left side. The other senior, Marissa McDonald, brings a big stick for us along with playing first base. They both have great leadership and I know they will lead the team to great things this year."

"We also have returning Lindsey Tobias our power hitter and great center fielder."

Junior pitcher Ashley Brandon was the ace of the DHS staff a year ago and posted an 8-5 record in the circle while sporting a 3.69 ERA in 72 innings pitched.

Sophomore Kailea Holbrook (4-1, 3.21 ERA) also returns to the DHS rotation along with sophomore Danielle Tumblin (1-2, 2.33 ERA).

Second baseman and outfielder Allie Griewe joins Tobias and Brandon as junior returnees while sophomores Gabby Gonzales (second base), Aurora Lopez (outfield), Stephanie Esquibel (third base), Brandi Wagner (outfield) and Katelyn Steffel (catcher) also make a return appearance for their second seasons.

Ordway also points to a few newcomers to the varsity level that could help contribute this season. Junior outfielder/catcher Ashley Elders along with Sabra Schumaker (junior outfielder), April Robarge (sophomore third baseman) and Megan Turner (freshman pitcher) are among the fresh faces to the roster this spring.

"I look for a lot of our younger kids to step up this year after a first year under their belt," remarked Ordway. "We also have newcomers Ashley Elders who will be a back up catcher with a great stick, Sabra Schumaker for outfield, April Robarge will see some time at third and Megan Turner another great pitcher but she has a great stick as well. Our pitchers are getting stronger and more confident in their pitches so hopefully we will have a good mix this year of speed and junk (pitchers)."

Ordway says the pitching staff will be amongst the Bulldogs' strengths in 2008.

"Our pitchers are a lot more confident in their pitches," said Ordway. "Our fielding and hitting during the preseason are also looking solid.

"Our weaknesses are we still have young girls with a few veterans and having confidence in our shortstop position," added Ordway.

Ordway is expecting another stiff challenge from the Bulldogs' Western Buckeye League slate of games after finishing 5-4 in the conference a season ago.

"The WBL is always tough, with St., Marys, Bath, Wapak, Celina and Elida," remarked Ordway. "The whole league is always hard to tell who's the best. The league is always tough but it will be a great challenge for us this year. We're just going to give it our best this year and hope for a great outcome."

Before the Bulldogs can dive into their nine-game WBL schedule, DHS must first navigate a challenging non-conference schedule that features a heavy dose of stiff competition.

Defiance will open the season at home on Monday when Liberty Center visits. The Bulldogs will then travel to arch-rival Napoleon 24 hours later to face one of the area's best teams.

The non-league schedule also features perennial powers Archbold, Ayersville, Fairview and Wauseon.

The Western Buckeye League lid-lifter is scheduled for April 8 with a trip to state-power Lima Bath before Celina visits on April 11 for the league home opener.