Some players can be replaced.

But when you’re talking about a fastpitch player of the caliber of Amanda Fitzsimmons, the Auburn Reporter’s 2009 Female Athlete of the Year and the South Puget Sound League North 4A’s MVP, those are some hard shoes to fill.

Last season Fitzsimmons, now playing ball in Husky purple for the University of Washington, pitched Auburn Riverside to a fourth-place finish in the state 4A playoffs.

“Beyond the physical (talents) with Amanda, we lost a ton of leadership and heart and soul,” said Ravens coach Chris Leverenz. “That kid would just will us to win games that we had no business being in, especially in the state tournament. But we were in them because she believed in (the team).

“So how do you replace that? We’re trying.”

The Ravens not only lost Fitzsimmons and catcher Roxy Schwartz to graduation, they also lost a key player to injury. Jamie Koenig, a third baseman, underwent shoulder surgery in January and will be lost to the Ravens for the spring.

“So we are out a bat and some leadership there,” Leverenz said. “We just have to figure out who we are without those people and take some ownership in that. We’re struggling a little bit right now. We’ve got to solidify some things right now.”

The Ravens will look to senior Kara Jenkins and junior Hannah Melick to shoulder the leadership load. Auburn Riverside also returns All-SPSL North 4A outfielder Ashlyn Mundo.

On the mound, the Ravens will look to sophomore Alyssa Jarman and freshman Brenna Tsujikawa.

“We’re still a little young. We only have three seniors,” Leverenz said. “Our strength is really in our junior class. We just need to get them more confident.”

Leverenz expects her team to compete in the SPSL North 4A once the new lineup matures.

“We should be in the middle of the pack at the end of league, and then progressing and getting better,” Leverenz said. “We did the same thing last year. In the season we were OK and then we ended up taking home fourth because we worked hard and got better. These kids will work hard, too.

“Our defense should be amazing and our hitting should be good,” Leverenz added. “We have a ton of potential.”

The Ravens hosted Kentridge on Wednesday, with results unavailable at press time. They will entertain Kentwood at 4 p.m. today at Game Farm Park.