Maria Steffen has high hopes for Xavier softball

CEDAR RAPIDS - Every high school loses senior team members eventually.

For Xavier High School's softball team, this meant losing Erin Drahozal, a varsity pitcher the previous five years.

Not only was she a strong pitcher, she also had skills at the plate and in the field. She continued her softball career at Upper Iowa University this spring.

For Xavier's pitching game, this meant finding a replacement with equal talent to Drahozal.

Sophomore Maria Steffen, a pitcher for Xavier's varsity team, feels the pressure in her first year as the teams starter.

'With Erin now being gone, I have very big shoes to fill,” Steffen said.

Pitching behind someone with the talent Drahozal had throughout high school would be added pressure for anyone.

'Maria should feel no pressure about preforming because of me,” Drahozal said. 'She has all the tools to be an outstanding pitcher and she has the work ethic to be as good as she wants to be.”

To prepare for this season, Steffen played club softball for the Eastern Iowa Barracudas. She also has pitching sessions every night with her dad, Eric Steffen, after basketball practice. For Steffen and many other players, the season is never ending.

Steffen said she has a close bond with her whole team and her coaches, Nikki Price and Kristen Winter.

'I will miss Erin and Kylie (Oldridge) a lot this year,” Steffen said. 'I looked up to them and they helped me with my pitching.”

Steffen had 11 starts last season as a freshman. She was named second team in the Mississippi Valley Conference. Steffen plans to be a team leader this year and help out the newcomers.

She is excited for her upcoming season and has high confidence the team will meet their goal to be first in the MVC.

The Saints opened the season Tuesday, falling to Iowa City West, 11-0 and 7-4.