LAST SEASON: 34-5-1 overall, 13-1 in O-K Green Conference, shared championship with Zeeland West. Won a Division 1 district title by beating Grand Haven in the finals, then beat Byron Center in regional semifinals before losing to Hudsonville in the finals.
RETURNING STARTERS: A bunch - seniors Mady Snyder (pitcher, utility), Brook Buchan (third base), Kyleigh Bilek (first base) , Aubrey Clark (catcher), Abbie Critchett (shortstop, second base); junior Lainey McDaniel (pitcher, outfield); sophomore Tessa Ross (catcher).
COMING OFF GREAT SEASONS: Again, a bunch of players. Snyder was the first R-P All-Stater since the 1990s with a .407 batting average, four home runs, 38 RBIs, and 11 doubles, along with a 9-1 record and 64 strikeouts as a pitcher. She was also All-Conference, All-District and All-Region. McDaniel hit .538 with 32 stolen bases and was 16-3 as a pitcher with 186 strikeouts. She was All-Conference, All-District and All-Region. Critchett knocked in 45 runs and was All-District, All-Conference and All-Region. Bilek hit .366 and was honorable mention All-Conference.
PROMISING NEWCOMERS: Sophomores Madi Reichert and McKenzie Jacobs, who both possess a lot of speed. Both were called up to varsity near the end of last season.
THE REST OF THE ROSTER: Sophomore Olivia Ambler, juniors Caydence Rettinghouse and Ava Gibbs.
Last year's conference championship team.
PLAYER BREAKDOWN BY CLASS: Five seniors, three juniors, four sophomores.
CONFERENCE OPPOSITION: The newly-configured O-K Green conference will be a major challenge. Newcomer Byron Center has won 10 conference titles in a row, while another new team, Jenison, starts the season ranked seventh in the state in Division 1. The Rockets are ranked eighth.
SEASON OUTLOOK: The sky could be the limit for the Rockets, who are coming off a co-conference championship and their first regional finals appearance in school history. They return seven starters, including two great pitchers in McDaniel and Snyder, as well as two other award winners and several other very solid veterans. The Rockets can be expected to pitch very well, play great defense and hit a ton. Strong conference competition should make for some great games and a great race for the O-K Green crown.
FIRST GAMES: Thursday doubleheader at Northville, Monday single game at home against Sparta.
COACH QUOTE: “We are so excited to expand on all of the success we had last season. We have seven returners and five newcomers and together I think they will make the perfect mix to take us even further. We have a tougher schedule this year, but we are all excited for it and how it's going to drive us to be that much better. We have such a good group of girls, on and off the field, and we can't wait to see how they really put CHOP (community, honor, ownership, perseverance) into a reality.” - Sarah Bayle.