2017 Moapa Valley Softball Capsule

Head coach: Matt Messer, fifth season

2016 record: 17-12 (11-3 Division I-A Sunrise)

Returning letter winners (starters): Six (five)

Top players: SS Kessa Evans (Jr.), P Daesha Stastny (Sr.), CF Aria Messer (Jr.), C Lainey Cornwall (So.)

Outlook: The Pirates being back five starters from a squad that finished second to state runner-up Boulder City in the Sunrise League.

Evans (.420, 23 RBIs), Aria Messer (.352, 16 RBIs, 26 stolen bases) and Cornwall (.346, 17 steals) all return to spark the offense. Stastny (10-9, 3.22 ERA, 78 K) gives the Pirates an experienced and successful arm in the circle.

“Our goal is to make the state tournament, something we haven’t done in a long time,” Messer said. “We should be solid defensively and fast. If our veterans mix well with the newcomers, we should be pretty good.”