BROOKFIELD — Replacing 10 seniors is never an easy task for any program, especially when one of those seniors was a four-year starter in the circle.

There’s going to be a little bit of a ‘trial by fire’ for Brookfield, but it’s not all fresh faces for the Warriors. Brookfield is still returning some top talent from last year’s squad. It’s just a matter of getting the pieces put together.

“We’re in a unique position,” Warriors coach Dave DeJoy said. “We lost those 10 seniors last year, and we have four this year. Two have a lot of experience and two others have had a moderate amount of experience at the varsity level. We’re certainly going to look to them to help lead our team. Then we have quite a few underclassmen and newer players that we’re working with and trying to put it all together.”

An obstacle facing the Warriors is one of leadership. With a senior class of 10 a year ahead of them, the current seniors at Brookfield never really had to take charge of the team. It’s their team now.

“Our current seniors were always right behind or tucked into that class we just lost,” DeJoy said. “So there were so many of them and we had so much leadership, and when that all leaves at one time, it is a different atmosphere. So we’re making our way through that and trying to encourage some of the girls to be a little more vocal and take on some of those roles.”

The big hole on the field comes with replacing Miranda Nicholson. Nicholson has been more than just the team’s pitcher, but has been a stabilizing force for the team in the circle.

Going forward, DeJoy hopes to recapture that feeling of stability as new faces take the mantle. Don’t get too high. Don’t get too low. That’s one of the biggest things the Warriors are aiming for with their next ace.

“Some of the biggest things to learn, but especially at the pitching position is, I always tell my girls, ‘You can’t let them know what you’re thinking by the expressions on your face, or your body language or reactions.’ There’s going to be games that you’re cruising, and you’re doing well, and there’s going to be games that you get beat up,” DeJoy said. “Sometimes you’re not going to like a call, sometimes you’re not going to like a situation. Sometimes they’re not going to like some of the things that I say or do or the coaching staff. Quite honestly, it’s just maturing where they don’t allow those things to affect their play, but they’re able to overcome them and play through no disappointments or frustrations. And just some days, it’s not going to be your day, but you still have to go.”

As for 2024, Cadence Huffman and Arianna Jones are the two most experienced members of the Warriors squad returning to the fold. Both Jasmine Hubbard and Paityn Foist spent time with the varsity squad last season, and will each see their roles grow.

With a team looking to find itself, Brookfield’s schedule doesn’t have some of the heavier hitters like in years past, but between a league schedule that includes Champion, Crestview, and Garfield, in addition to nonleague games against Harding, Girard, Chalker and Cardinal Mooney, there will be no shortage of challenges for the Warriors this season.

Brookfield opens the season up with arguably its two toughest series of the season, kicking the year off with a home-and-home with Crestview then a home-and-home with Champion.

As long as the Warriors stick to DeJoy’s fundamental pillars for the program, the Brookfield helmsman is comfortable.

“We want to play together, we want to play as a team. Always with good energy, good effort, great attitude. Those are kind of my fundamental pillars for our program,” DeJoy said. “Just develop a culture to where it doesn’t matter if we’re up or down, and the girls compete for that last pitch, for that last opportunity until that last inning is played.”

The season begins Monday with a road contest against Crestview. Start time is set for 5 p.m.

Have an interesting story? Contact Brian Yauger by email at byauger@tribtoday.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @_brianyauger.