Tahoma’s fastpitch team faces a number of unknowns this season.

For the past two years the squad went 15-1 in league on the strength of a group of six players who graduated in 2011.

Of those six, five are playing college ball at some level  — Sammii Jimenez, Shelby Carter, Lisa Maulden, Kiley Dunn and Emily Miller — which is an indicator of the talent level.

This year, the Bears have two seniors, co-captains Hayley Beckstrom and Jordan Walley. Both have been on the varsity since they were freshmen.

“We have taken on a lot more responsibilities,” Beckstrom said during practice on March 6. “Now we’re teaching (the underclassmen) the program we’ve known for four years. It’s literally rebuilding the program.”

Walley noted that as the only seniors on the team, she and Beckstrom will have to find new ways to build chemistry, “we have to find a whole new connection.”

“We’re teaching them how we want the program to be in two years,” Walley said. “Right now our main focus is to be in the top five so we can go to league (playoffs) and try to get back to state.”

And until Tahoma plays its four non-league games, just what the team will look like, Walley said, is unknown.

“After our first four games, we’ll know more,” she said. “Our whole infield is going to have to learn to communicate. Some of these girls we’ve just met.”

Beckstrom stated, “In past years, we knew exactly what we had going into the season.”

What they do know is the Bears have three pitchers, including Walley, who bats left and throws right. She also can play first base.

And Beckstrom will anchor the middle infield at shortstop.

Both seniors have also committed to play in college — Beckstrom is heading to Seattle University next year while Walley will head up to Bellingham and Western Washington University.

With those letters of intent signed, both said that allows them to focus on their roles as captains, to enjoy their last season of high school fastpitch and be better leaders overall.

“It’s good for the younger kids and this program because we can push them and help them reach that goal if they want it,” Beckstrom said.

They’ll work to help the players with less time on varsity make the most of it.

“We don’t have the experience level, but, we have the talent,” Walley said. “We have a lot of underclassmen that we’re looking to perform. Their work ethic is good, especially Courtney Cloud, who is filling Emily’s position (at second base). The underclassmen have really improved.”

Beckstrom added those girls who know they have a shot at getting more playing time this season are putting in the effort.

“The core girls who got to experience state with us, they’ve really stepped up,” Beckstrom said. “The girls are motivated because they have to prove themselves.”

And even though this year may not be a race for the division title like it has been the past two season, both captains said they’ve got the Kentlake game circled on the league schedule, “because they’re the biggest rivalry for us,” Walley said.

That match up is scheduled to take place the first time around on Wednesday, April 11, with Kentlake traveling to Tahoma.

“We’ve both lost people (to graduation),” Beckstrom said. “So, it will be a good indicator of where we’re at.”

By then, whatever unknowns Tahoma may have now may be solved.