CALUMET — Calumet Copper Kings’ head softball coach Joel Rastello has been juggling a unique set of numbers all Spring.

He lost four seniors -three of them pitchers. He now has 11 seniors who all have good softball experience and around 15 other girls who want to play with the seniors as in being a part of the Copper Kings’ varsity squad.

“I think it’s a good problem to have,” Rastello said with a chuckle. “It certainly will make for an interesting season as people will have to earn their spots on the varsity lineup each week. It will work itself out. We will certainly have a strong JV program because of this.”

Rastello, in his ninth year as head coach, said the return to the Spring Swing at the Superior Dome in Marquette in early April was a good barometer of the season ahead.

“It went as expected,” he said. “Pitching will be our struggle. We lost Taylor Vertin, Ellie Djerf and Morgan Erkkila – all very strong throwers. At the dome, Emily Peterson (senior) did well and will be our ace in the hole. I also have Grace Newman, a lefty who threw well. I’m not sure who is going to fill the other spots.”

The Copper Kings were 21-8 last year. Rastello said that with pitching not being as strong as in year’s past, he will be looking for his girls to work harder on offense and defense this season.

“We saw some of that at the dome as the girls hit the ball very well – putting it into play,” he explained. “If we can put the ball into play, then good things can happen.”

He is looking to Laura Giachino to carry the clean-up spot in the lineup. The senior lined a home run over the fence on the opening weekend at the dome and hit another handful over the fences last season.

“Laura is clearly our best power hitter,” Rastello said. “As well, I am confident in the play of our girls in the field.”

One thing he and the rest of the area coaches are not certain of is when the season is really going to get under way due to bad weather not going away. The Copper Kings first games on the road to Baraga and Eagle River, WI last week were canceled. However, they are hoping to make it to Kingsford this week to open their 2022 campaign. Their first home game is scheduled for May 2 against Houghton at Legion Field.