As she stares out at the complex that just opened to house her fastpitch squad and the baseball team, Auburn coach Brenna Nesper often repeats one word.

New.

That encompasses not only the facility, but her role as the squad’s first-year instructor.

“This is a whole new start,” Nesper said. “Everything is new.”

That begins with the program’s identity. Nesper, 32, takes over a program that has won two games – combined – during the last couple of seasons. And even with a facility that includes several amenities, including synthetic turf, Nesper said those struggles are difficult to overcome when she tries to attract talent to the program.

“It’s been a struggle,” she said. “Just trying to get kids out is really hard because they see you’re not winning games.”

That does not mean Nesper is crestfallen. Last year, the Trojans were not able to field a junior varsity program because not enough players turned out. With 21 athletes out this season, Nesper is hopeful Auburn can field more than just a varsity squad.

Nesper, who succeeded Charlie Frampton as coach, said she often talked about the “culture” she and her assistants want to develop within the Trojans. She said that begins with strong practices, where players feel they are learning daily, and a commitment to the team.

“When you’re giving them all these tools, it’s amazing how the kids really start to grasp onto that,” Nesper said. “We’re really, really working on that this year.”

Nesper, a 2001 Auburn graduate, said that stems for her own experience at the high school. As a senior, Nesper was an outfielder for the Trojans, who played for the state championship that year. Auburn also won state titles in 1982 and ’87.

“I want these kids to have that opportunity,” Nesper said. “I want these kids to play at that level. You worked your butt off and got this many wins to where you get to go represent your school.”

She knows that might take awhile. But Nesper, who helped guide the school’s junior varsity squad for the last decade, has a plan to build a program that can sustain success. She said that entails getting girls interested in the sport before they reach high school – Nesper also coaches at Olympic Middle School – through camps.

“We do that for years and years and years … and they want to come because they got to watch us for the last couple of years and come to our camps,” Nesper said. “They know who the coach is. It’s really good that they’re familiar with it.”

For now, the team hopes a core of returners that include four seniors – catcher Dani Hutson, outfielder Simone Liu, first baseman Dakota Mounts and utility Hannah Mustain – along with sophomores Taylor Hanson (shortstop) and Carly Ross (pitcher), can start the turnaround.

“I definitely see a lot more potential,” said Mustain, who is a captain.

“I’m excited for the season.”

Liu said more players have turned out for Nesper, whom she played for as a junior-varsity freshman in 2013.

“She’s just all-around amazing,” Liu said. “She always has a positive attitude.”

Mustain feels that mentality has resonated throughout the team.

“I feel like this year the girls are a lot more focused,” she said. “They really want to be here, they’re excited to play and they have a positive mindset this year.”

Having an on-campus facility also does not hurt. Liu and Mustain did not mince words about Fulmer Field, the Trojans’ previous home. Liu said that ballfield was about a five-minute walk from campus, and she was concerned that Auburn might play there again this season when she heard rumors that the new facility might not be finished on time. Mustain was relieved that was not the case.

“Going from playing on the other field that was crappy to this is fabulous,” she said.

Nesper said the school’s athletic director, Bob Jones, fielded many phone calls from teams interested in playing nonleague games at Auburn.

“We want to share this,” she said. “We want to say, ‘This is what we’ve got. Enjoy it with us.’ ”

Her sentiments are similar when it comes to her opportunity to rebuild a once-proud program.

“It just means so much,” Nesper said. “I’m honored and ecstatic to have the opportunity to step in and take this over for the year.

“I have been here a long time and I’m going to stay here a long time.”