Hancock junior Ellie Heinonen takes batting practice on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in Hancock, Mich. (Eddie O’Neill/The Daily Mining Gazette)

HANCOCK — Not much has changed in the softball lineup at Hancock High School from a year ago.

The Bulldogs lost just one senior and have filled the gap with a number of up-and-coming underclassmen. So much so, that the team will have a JV team for the first time in the program’s 10-year history.

Randy Heinonen has been the girls’ head coach for the past seven years. He has five seniors, two junior, four sophomores and six freshman vying for varsity spots this season.

“Its good problem to have to see so many girls coming out to play,” he said. “With this many girls, the top 12 will have to earn their spot in the lineup each week.”

He was very pleased to see his girls get in some “real” action outside of the Hancock gym earlier this month at the annual Spring Swing at the dome in Marquette.

“That is a great event, and it is typically the first time girls are seeing fly balls for the first time which is very important,” Heinonen said. “While we did win some games there, the weekend was more about getting our feet wet and working on fundamentals. We accomplished both.”

The Hancock coach is excited about the bat of sophomore Megan Pelto. She had a home run at the dome.

“She has the best swing as a player that has come through my program through the years,” he said. “She turns in on the ball, has great bat speed and follows through.”

While she brings in the runs, senior Kaydence Kilpela will be in the circle throwing strikes once again.

“She threw 98 percent of the innings last year and we hope she can do it again this year,” Heinonen said. “Sadie Biekkola will be her back up.”

In 2020, the Bulldogs went 13-10 and won the district title. They then lost a close one to Ishpeming in the regional semi finals. Heinonen said that with his senior leadership having tasted that 2021 post-season thrill, he hopes that will translate into a longer playoff run in 2022.

“We have five seniors who want to go out strong,” he said. “They know what they need to do to get there, and I hope that some of that will rub off onto the younger girls.”