LORETTO, PA- With the softball season just three days away, let's take a look at the newcomers for the 2019 campaign.
 
Head coach Jessica O'Donnell will welcome five freshmen to the fold in 2019.
 
"The one thing I love about our freshman is that they got right to work as soon as they got here," O'Donnell said. "They embraced the grind and culture and it's exciting to see a group that wants to work, to learn from the coaches and the upper classmen, and have the desire to get better."
 
Lauren Bertig (Indiana, Pa./Indiana High School)- Pitcher-Indiana, PA- Bertig won nine games during her senior year at Indiana High School. The right-hander struck out more than a batter an inning in 96 frames as a senior in 2017 and holds the record for strikeouts in a game with 17.
 
Allyn Bezjak (Uniontown, Pa./Albert Gallatin High School)-Third Base/Catcher-Uniontown, PA- A two-time all-state outfielder for Albert Gallatin high school hit .477 as a junior and just under .500 as a senior, has pop in her bat with 15 home runs in high school.
 
"Allyn is a workhorse, someone you love to coach because she will run through a wall for you," O'Donnell said. "She can really swing it and is making a name for herself."
 
"Lauren has a nasty, amazing spin to her ball," O'Donnell said. "And she is another one that understands the work it takes to get better at the next level. She is so positive and uplifting that it makes others want to work harder."
 
Tina Clark-Pitcher-Avon, Ohio- Tina missed her senior season with a knee injury but enjoyed a phenomenal junior campaign, going 11-4 with a 0.75 earned run average with 155 strikeouts in 102 innings, earning second-team All-Ohio honors as a result.
 
"After missing a year, when Tina got to go live, you'd have thought she never missed a day," O'Donnell remarked. "All the work she put in away from pitching really has paid off and has an interesting spin to the ball that you can get excited about."
 
Allison Ross (Riverview, Michigan/Riverview High School)-Infielder-Riverview, Michigan-Hit a school record 30 home runs in her career, helping Riverview win three district titles. Ross was named all-conference and all-district.
 
"Allie is just someone who gets in there and works, and will do anything for the team," remarked O'Donnell. "She's got some power and a good feel at the plate."
 
Meadow Uncapher (Mount Pleasant, Pa./Mount Pleasant High School)-Pitcher/Infielder-Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania. Uncapher helped Mt. Pleasant to a Pennsylvania state title as a right-hander and as a corner infielder. As a senior, Uncapher threw to a microscopic 0.89 earned run average en route to the title.
 
"When I first saw Meadow, I saw a competitor, someone who is never scared of the moment," O'Donnell said. "That's what you need in the circle, someone who is ready to grind, willing to be coached and that want to win and get better, that's Meadow."
 
Saint Francis will be in action this weekend at the Bash at the 'Boro hosted by Georgia Southern. Saint Francis will meet up with Savannah State on Friday in the season opener and will close opening day with Georgia Southern at 7 p.m.