Coming off a 6-14 season and a 5-6 7A Central Conference record and a first round exit in the state tournament, the Conway softball team is looking for a bounce-back season in 2017.

Coach Chata Hickey said two of her players graduated, one moved and another decided to pursue other opportunities.

Like last year’s squad, the team has two seniors, five juniors and the rest of the 25 person team is a mix of freshman and sophomores.

Because of the team’s youth, Hickey said the team will use a few freshman.

“We’ve got 10 freshman on the team this year,” she said Saturday during the team’s media day. “At least two of them will see varsity action early and we have a few that will push other players as the season goes on.”

One of those seniors, Lindsey Williams, signed her letter-of-intent to Henderson State University in November to continue her softball career.

Conway starts its conference schedule March 14 at Fort Smith Southside after six non-conference games.

Hickey said the games against Cabot, Bryant and North Little Rock are marked on the calendar.

“The 7A Central is probably the toughest softball conferences there are,” she said. “We’ll have good matchups between Cabot, Bryant and North Little Rock. That’s the biggest competition we’ve had for years. They’ve always bring great teams and are always ready to play.”

Conway will try to avenge its 11-0 loss to Rogers in the first round of the 2016 7A State Tournament with a nonconference game Friday at Rogers.