A changing of the guard is taking place within Pearl River Central’s Blue Devils varsity softball team.

Over the past two years the squad lost nearly a dozen senior players.

Not only were those athletes important because of their production on the diamond, but also because of the leadership they provided.

Now, there’s a new set of seniors ready to take the mantle from their predecessors, with the goal of leading the team deep into the playoffs next season.

Madi Glidewell, Payton Lee and Keigan Pearson are returning starters who plan to leave their mark on the Blue Devils’ softball program.

Glidewell is the team’s starting catcher, and has already committed to Pearl River Community College to play softball for the Wildcats.

Lee holds down the outfield, and is not only a talented softball player, but also plays basketball for the school as well. She said she’d love to play both in college, but if she had to choose one it would be her true passion, softball.

Pearson covers first base, and is also planning on playing softball at the next level after she graduates high school.

These three athletes and the rest of the squad look to continue their streak going of winning district.

However, to do that, the seniors must embrace their leadership positions.

“This year it’s going to be my job and the other seniors’ job to show leadership and take control on the field to help the younger players,” Glidewell said.

Having experience helps with being a leader, and these three, along with the rest of the squad, sacrifice so much so that they can improve as players and people.

“It might sound cheesy, but it really is just about having a love for the game and loving what you do,” Lee said.

“There’s nothing else I’d rather be doing.”

“Softball is my best friend, you have this family,” Pearson said.

“Sometime it’s tough, but I look at it in the long run and I hopefully see myself playing at the next level.”

The dedication to the sport also means that the players hope to improve their skills and technique when it comes to the game of softball.

“As a team we need to work on communication because we lost some loud people on the field,” Pearson said.

“And personally I would like to improve my defense.”

That’s exactly what the summer games are for, and the girls like what they’re seeing during the games from their teammates.

“Summer games give a glimpse on how the season is going to go,” Lee said.

“It also shows what the new players will be like since we lost a lot of seniors.”

Not only that, but it gives an indication of if the team will actually be able to accomplish the goals the squad gives itself.

Lee thinks that the team will be as good, if not better, than the team that won district last year, and Glidewell agrees based on what she’s seen during these summer games.