Ashlie Harrison was away from the Maplesville softball program for only a year, but the Red Devils look much different.

Harrison’s 2009 team includes only four players—senior Bridget Nichols and juniors Heather Chambers, Bayne Edwards and Katlyn Freeman—were members of Harrison’s ‘07 team. But Harrison has high hopes for the Red Devils despite their youth.

“It’s a very good group of girls,” Harrison said. “They do a good job of motivating themselves.”

If Harrison has had to reacquaint herself with the team after taking the 2008 season off after the birth of her daughter, Mallie, Maplesville fans will have to do the same because several players will be newcomers and several returning players will be seen at new positions.

Maplesville’s No. 1 pitcher will be Courtney Killingsworth, a sophomore who sat out last season after transferring from Bibb County. Killingsworth will also likely be a middle-of-the-order type hitter, Harrison said.

“She’ll help us out a lot,” Harrison said. “She’s the hardest working young lady you’ll ever see.”

The team’s other three pitchers are all freshmen: Morgan Little, Kortisha Morrow and Cheyenne Sheffield. Another freshman, Natalie Arnold, appears likely to earn the left field job, Morrow might start in right field and either Sheffield or Killingsworth will play first base when not on the mound.

Little could play shortstop, the position Nichols manned last year. Nichols will probably move to third base, though she hasn’t practiced much there.

Last year’s third baseman, Bayne Edwards, could move to second base.

The only constants the past three years—even including the dugout—are Chambers at catcher and Freeman in center field.

“I enjoyed my year off, but I’m glad to be back,” Harrison said. “These girls have been fun to work with.”