The Raiders softball team opens its 2011 season Thursday, March 31 with three games at the Irish Dome in Rosemount. CLC will play three more games Friday. The team includes 12 players, according to Greg Medeck, head coach. The Raiders return six players from last year’s squad that finished second in the Northern Division with a 14-6 record. CLC finished with an overall record of 27-16 and was the Region 13 B runner-up. The roster: Sophomores Stephanie Neugebauer (Brainerd, SS), Heather Zetah (Staples-Motley, C), Dani Thiesse (Brainerd, LF), Lindsay Fryer (St. Francis, 2B), Trisha Wippler (1B, Little Falls), Alicia Johnson (OF, Verndale) and Freshmen Hallsey Olson (CF, Brainerd), Sam Harting (P, Pillager), Brooke Hanson (OF, Lake of the Woods), Ashley Zimmerman (3B, Pequot Lakes), Katie Boody (INF/OF, Royalton), Heather Hejhal (3B, Verndale). “We have good balance in terms of freshmen and sophomores and within our position groups,” said Medeck. “We have good leadership and I think we’re excited and motivated and confident to have a successful season, we just haven’t played yet. “We’re still a little bit lacking in depth. We only have 12 players and we’re healthy right now, but if we get a couple of injuries that could be a problem for us. We don’t have a ton of depth in our pitching, but if Sam can stay healthy that should be a strength for us.” Photo: Stephanie Neugebauer is back after missing last season due to injury. Photo courtesy of Brainerd Dispatch-Steve Kohls, photographer and CLC instructor.