The Oak Harbor High School softball team is looking to make another step forward this season.

After winning only two games in 2015, the Wildcats improved to 5-17 last year. They went 3-7 in conference play, good for fourth place in the Wesco North, and earned a district berth.

Oak Harbor returns eight letter winners, including three senior captains, Shea Davis (first base, third base), Audrey Howard (third base, catcher) and Kristen Pagala (outfield).

Coach Tashina Tosh said the captains are “amazing leaders and step up when needed.”

Howard was an all-league honorable mention choice in 2016.

Also back are senior Taylor Wilson (outfield), juniors Samantha Payne (catcher, outfield) and Lyndsay Duchnowski (outfield) and sophomores Brooke Wilson (second base) and Cierra LeGendre (pitcher, shortstop).

“Like all teams we have our strengths and weaknesses, but I feel a main strength is having a large number of returners,” Tosh said. “Having experience and depth at each position will allow us to move people around and make changes as needed.”

Since Oak Harbor will only field a varsity team this spring, everyone on the roster will play an important role, according to Tosh.

“We have a few girls who have moved up from JV,” said she. “We have freshman Haley Abbott and Brooke Gilham who show a lot of potential, and we are excited to see them in action on the field.”

Oak Harbor plays in the Marysville Jamboree at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 11.

The regular season opens with a trip to Mariner at 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 14, then the home opener follows the next day at 4 p.m. with Mount Vernon.