Robert E. Lee softball opens its 2015 season Tuesday at home against Jacksonville with first pitch scheduled for 6 p.m. at Lady Raiders Field at Faulkner Park.

It’s normal for a first-year head coach going into a new district to be a little apprehensive about her team’s chances.

Robert E. Lee softball coach Maggie Stephenson feels otherwise.

“I have very high expectations for this group of kids,” said Stephenson, an assistant last year for the Lady Raiders. “Our senior team captains’ leadership combined with our experienced youth is really going to guide us and help us throughout the entire season.”

It also helps when you have senior Makenna Aycock in the circle. Aycock is a four-year varsity standout who Stephenson describes as “one of the best pitchers in the state.”

Aycock has already signed with Hill College after earning All-East Texas honors last season. She finished with a 2.07 ERA with 207 strikeouts. Aycock enters her senior season with 532 strikeouts for her high school career. Stephenson sees Aycock potentially challenging the 800 K mark.

She also led REL in hitting with a .556 average to go along with four doubles and three triples.

The Lady Raiders return eight starters from last year’s team, which narrowly missed the playoffs. Four of those starters are seniors. It begins with the team captains: Aycock, Kaylee Hahn, Brittany Hogge and junior Deasia Gilbert.

Along with Aycock, Hahn has been a fixture for the Lady Raiders and is about to play her fourth season starting at first base. Hogge and Gilbert like Aycock and Hahn, earned first-team all-district honors last year.

Stephenson expects Hahn and Hogge to man the corner infield spots with Gilbert, Maleigha Leach and Chelsea Robinson to take care of shortstop, second base and maybe right field. Both Leach and Gilbert saw time last season while Robinson is a transfer from Bullard, who Stephenson believes can make an immediate impact.

At catcher is Samantha Hill, a move-in from Arkansas, who tries to fill the shoes of Betty Allen. Allen, a junior, was an all-district catcher a year ago and big contributor on offense. She suffered a knee injury during basketball season and is questionable to recover in time for this season, but Stephenson said she is still holding out hope.

“Betty batted over .500 for us last year and was one of our top players,” Stephenson said. “I expect Hill and Robinson to be key contributors for us.”

In the outfield is sophomore Cameron Attaway at center field with returner Kambree Yates in left and “many options” in right.

Lee’s season opener against Jacksonville is one of two East Texas foes REL will play this season as Stephenson was determined to gear her team up for the upcoming Garland ISD district by battling mainly teams from the DFW area. Lee will also play at Whitehouse on Feb. 24.

REL will compete in the Forney Tournament (Feb. 19-21) and the Allen Tournament (Feb. 26-28). At Forney’s event, the Lady Raiders will face Wylie, North Forney and Forney.

“That will be very tough and competitive and a great test for us,” Stephenson said. “At Allen will be play against Allen, Coppell and Frisco. I also scheduled a non-district game against Rockwall-Heath.

“This season we look forward to playing tougher competition and better teams in order to prepare us to be successful.”

Lee begins District 11-6A play on March 3 at home against Garland Sachse.

Stephenson said she is looking forward to a memorable first season as head coach and credits her assistants, Daniel Hancock and Michelle Giles, while also adding Lee’s experience means the time is now.

“All the girls have stepped up this year and the players are working hard and investing in the program,” Stephenson said. “That investment is going to pay off.”