Following a middle of the road finish in the Centennial League last year, the Manhattan High School softball team hopes to improve this year.

“I think we were right in the middle, 9-9, so we hope to do a little bit better this year,” head coach Monty Enright said.

However, the team will have to figure out how to mature quickly. Four seniors graduated last year, and all were starters.

“It’s a pretty young team, a lot of positions had to be moved around,” junior Ceci Erker said. “The first couple games are probably going to be rough.”

The home season opener will be on Friday at 4 p.m. against Topeka High at Anneberg Park. The team has been practicing for over a month.

“I hope we’ve done enough work that everybody will know where we’re supposed to be on defensive situations,” Enright said. “And everybody will know what we’re trying to do offensively if we put on an offensive play.”