North Platte – The North Platte Community College softball team kicks off their season this Saturday, February 15 as they travel to Colby, Kan. to square off with the Colby Community College Trojans for a double header at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.

“The team has been working hard inside and a few times that we have been able to get outside to practice,” said head coach Janelle Higgins. “We are excited to get games started.”

The Knights return five sophomores from last year’s team that went 4-39. The sophomores include Soliel Atenza of Lomita, Calif., Alexis Bryant of Wellington, Colo., Rylee Murphyof Ashland, Katharine Savolt of Yuma, Colo. and Siarra Velasquez of Carter Lake, Iowa.

The Knights also welcome nine new freshman to the mix as the season gets underway. The freshman include Britlee Anderson of North Spanish Fork, Utah, Shaylynne Campo of Fremont, Jazmin Chang of Lahaina, Hawaii, Shannon Lieber of Lone Tree, Colo., Brittney Odum of Aurora, Colo., Christina Rodie of Wheat Ridge, Colo., Sara Runia of Aurora, Colo., Sydney Standage of North Platte and Brooke Wakefield of Lone Tree, Colo.

“We have a solid foundation being laid by our sophomores and a very talented and energetic freshman class, everyone is eager to show what they can bring to the team as a whole,” said Higgins. “The team is meshing very well on and off the field which makes practices fun to watch as everyone is pushing each other to better as a whole.”

After getting their season underway, the Knights have two weeks of practice before returning to the diamond when they travel to Garden City, Kan. to play in the Garden City Tournament. The Knights will face Garden City Community College, Otero Junior College, Pratt Community College and Lamar Community College.