2022 was quite the year for the Carroll Chargers Softball squad going 19-9 in the regular season, and defeating Northrop in Extra Innings to capture their first Sectional Title in 8 years.

Carroll would fall the next week to Columbia City in the Regional Championship.

After the loss, Carroll would have to say goodbye to their six seniors and start the process of replacing them.

Well, it was announced during the fall that Coach Cassie Antos would miss the majority of the season as she will be on Maternity Leave, so Assistant Coach Allie Pannabecker will lead the Chargers.

So entering 2023, the Chargers are down their Head Coach and have lost their seniors.

Here’s where things lighten up, they have 4 seniors on the team this year along with nine very experienced Juniors, Sophomore Sensations Emilia Garcia and Lauren Kirkpatrick return as the starting battery for the Chargers.

Coach Pannabecker also brings years of experience and knowledge of the game this season for Carroll.

Carroll opens the season at Penn on Saturday March 25, and has their home opener on Wednesday March 29 against Whitko.

The girls have a tough home and away schedule this season, per usual as in order to be the best you have to beat the best.

They will host Garrett, Homestead, Eastside, Huntington North, Bellmont, East Noble, Wawasee, Dwenger, Woodlan, Hamilton Southeastern, South Bend St. Joseph, Concordia, and Northridge.

Carroll will travel to Warsaw, Northrop, Leo, Snider, Luers, South Bend Adams, a LaPorte Tournament, Norwell, Dekalb, Homestead, and Adams Central.

Carroll’s expectations are obviously high as they are every year- it just comes with the name. There’s a standard at Carroll and everyone knows that standard.

It will be an interesting season to say the least for the Chargers as they look for their second straight Sectional Title, and hunt for their first ever State Championship.