Warren senior and Mercyhurst University commit Alana Stuart is pictured in a game last year. File photo by Mark Evans

Warren’s softball team won its final four region games in the 2024 regular season, and head coach Carissa Stuart hopes to build off that behind senior, four-year starting pitcher Alana Stuart.

“Last year was a building year and we look to improve, even though we are still a very young team,” said Coach Stuart, whose Dragons finished 6-12 overall after an 11-3 loss to Hickory in the District 10 4A playoffs.

“I have a good core group back to build upon,” added Coach Stuart. “Top returners are Alana Stuart, Emma Gray, Malysia Sorensen and Alexis Jones.”

Alana Stuart was named a region second-team all-star at both pitcher and third base. The NCAA Division I Mercyhurst University commit batted .569 with nine home runs and had a slugging percentage of 1.140.

Emma Gray was a second-team all-star at second base as a sophomore.

“(Senior) Emily Davidson is back after taking a year off, which adds even more depth for us,” added Coach Stuart, whose Dragons opened with a 14-1 win Friday at Elk County Catholic.

“I expect a lot from this group,” she said. “They have a ton of experience and knowledge of the game. I need these girls to take full advantage of every opportunity they have to score and make plays.”

In addition to Gray, juniors include Sophia Fromknecht, Danika Abbey, Tori Solberg and Braidin Stewart. Sophomores are Sorensen, Jones, Sydney Barr, Violet Brooker, Riley Cull, Alannah Garza, Peyton Hagg, Bella Oyola, Olivia Romanosky, Mallery Velez and Brooke Sherry. Freshmen are Laken Carroll and Rylee Kocher.

In addition to Alana Stuart, Davidson, Gray, Sorensen and Jones, “Olivia Romanosky, Tori Solberg, Danika Abbey, Alannah Garza, Braidin Stewart, Peyton Hagg and Riley Cull will round out our lineup,” said Coach Stuart. “It’s still early in the season, so any one of them could see a considerable amount of playing time.

“Looking at our schedule, we look to be competitive in every game,” said Coach Stuart, assisted by Jeff Irwin. “Harbor Creek is a returning state champ and is now in our region (Region 6). McDowell and Meadville are always tough and General McLane, I know, has a good young group coming in this year. We’re going to take one game at a time and just get better every time we hit the field. … I’ve already seen improvement since the first week of practice, so we just need to keep going in the right direction and good things will happen.”

Warren hosts Corry today at Lady Dragons Field in North Warren.