The 2012 version of the Scorpion softball team will be missing a few pieces from last spring, but fourth-year Head Coach John Brown said things are looking better than expected.

“We’re better off than I expected at first. The girls have come along a lot faster than I expected. We may struggle a bit to begin the season, but those girls are getting better, and I believe by April we will contend,” Brown said with confidence.

The Sedona Red Rock High School softball team lost only two seniors to graduation last year but lost three others out of the starting lineup for various reasons.

Junior starting pitcher Shelby Cordova transferred to Flagstaff High School, junior starting second baseman Haley Davis didn’t come out and senior starting first baseman Eilis Bracken isn’t out either.

On top of all that, Whitney Cooper, who is a senior this season and signed her letter of intent to play for the University of Massachusetts, tore her anterior cruciate ligament in the fall, and will miss the first month of the season.

Sedona finished 21-10 overall and qualified for the 3A conference state playoffs in 2011. This season, the Scorpions are in Division III, and there’s no telling what will happen.

Several others return for the Scorpions, including senior starting center fielder Ashley Haas, senior catcher Maria Micheli and senior left fielder Sarah O’Neill. Junior Mary Kate Hafner is expected to play shortstop for the Scorpions this spring while sophomore Amber Rippy returns to play third base.

Brown believes his team’s strength this season will be its hitting, and he thinks the Scorpions will play just enough defense to support that.

“Our defense will hold, but our hitting is our big thing. I like what I’m seeing,” Brown said.

The Scorpions open the 2012 season by welcoming Northland Preparatory Academy on Monday, Feb. 27. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.