WEST AKRON — After a number of close losses last year, the Firestone High School softball team has made hitting a priority this year.

According to head coach Bruce Clough, the team finished with a 10-15 record overall, but the Lady Falcons were close to having a much better season.

“Most of our losses were by one or two runs,” he said.

Clough said the team compiled an 8-2 record in City Series play and finished the season with a loss in the City Series championship to Ellet High School.

This year, Clough said, the Lady Falcons have gained experience and are ready to make another run in the City Series.

“I have a lot of veterans,” he said. “It’s a nice mix of seniors, juniors and quite a few sophomores. And I have a lot of quality leadership.”

The team’s captains are a trio of seniors: Catie Lehman, Ali Bryson and Katie Alkire.

“I also have a returning sophomore who started as a freshman in Melissa Adams,” said Clough. “She’s flip-flopping between second base and shortstop.”

Clough called junior Jamie Costello “a great hustler.”

“She’s one of my leadoff hitters and she has great speed,” he said.

Clough said sophomore third basemen Janie Linger “has power and is tough at the corner.”

And Clough called sophomore Sydney McGlaughlin a “great utility player.”

“She’ll fit in anywhere we need her,” he said. “Sometimes she hits second and sometimes she will hit fifth. She can hit the ball and she can lay down the bunt.”

The key to getting better this season, Clough said, will be improving on offense.

“Hitting is our weakness, but it’s looking better with each game,” he said. “Our biggest hurdle is hitting on a more consistent basis.”

Clough said the team has been hard at work trying to improve its performance in that area.

“We’ve had extra workouts in the batting cages, and we’ve had strength training and speed drills,” he said. “With time and confidence, we’ll be fine.”

Clough said he is not worried about his pitching staff, however.

“As far as our pitching is concerned, we’re one of the better teams in the area — not the best, but one of the better teams,” he said. “The kids have quite a bit of experience and determination.”

Clough said the team features a top-notch battery.

“I have two quality pitchers in senior Jordan Reilly and junior Liz Gegick,” he said. “I also have a seasoned catcher in senior Catie Lehman.”

Behind the pitchers, Clough said, the Lady Falcons will have “strong” defensive play.

“Our defense is going to be quite good,” he said. “We have a strong outfield and a strong infield.”

The team got off to a good start this season, scoring four runs in a 4-1 victory over Garfield High School in a City Series game March 30.

Next up for the team is a trip to Wadsworth High School today, April 2, for a game at 4:30 p.m.

“Then we will head down to Myrtle Beach for a five-game tournament,” said Clough.

The Lady Falcons will be taking part in the Grand Strand Classic, playing a game a day from April 6 to 10.

“There will be nine teams from Ohio down there,” said Clough.

When the team returns, Clough noted, the Lady Falcons will be ready to put everything together.

“I think we can win the City Series and advance in the sectionals, if not win the whole thing,” he said.