This year’s squad certainly has their work cut out for them. Chin and Huang anchored the right side of the infield and the heart of the batting order, and neither of them missed a start all last season. Chin, Lowell’s only two-time first team all-leaguer, was considered one of the top players in the city. Her replacement hasn’t been determined yet, as head coach Sacha Taylor-Ray is still working out the kinks in her lineup.

One of the few knowns in that murky lineup is senior catcher Sati Houston. The stalwart backstop made second team All-City as a junior and clearly owns some of the best tools in the league. She has a true cannon behind the plate, precocious power with the bat and a fierce competitive drive at all times. The only things that could possibly deter her from an MVP caliber season are her nagging injuries: in addition to her chronic knee problems, Huston is currently going through a bout of elbow tendonitis. However, her toughness and dedication to the team have proven stronger than her ailments, as she practices with the team, and plans on playing every game this season.

Another bright spot will be standing on the pitcher’s mound on opening day. Junior pitcher Samia Zuber will look to improve upon her solid sophomore season as the team’s ace. Last year, Zuber made drastic strides with her mechanics, control and velocity, and by the end of the season was among the league’s best pitchers. With her strong work ethic, her junior year can only mean more good news for the Cardinals.

A stiff preseason schedule should allow coach Taylor-Ray to form her lineup by league season. Lowell’s first game was yesterday, against Mills High School, a squad Houston said would be “better than anyone we’ll see in league.”

If this team can answer their major question marks and come together, they have the talent to take back the city championship trophy that Lowell hasn’t seen since the ’01 season. See them begin their quest at 3:30 on Feb. 28 at Jackson field against the ISA Cobras.