After predicting a .500 season in 2008, Savino watched with pride as her Lady Dragons went deep into post season play before dropping a heart- breaking decision to eventual State champion Ashland.

While this year’s squad will be missing Nicole Forlizzi (Assumption), Danielle Antonellis, and Anna Brady, Savino still feels confident that her team will be competitive every time they take the field as long as senior Casey Ducinski is on the mound.

Owner of an 18-7 record last year, Savino is pretty sure her team can get to the play-offs once again, as she relies heavily on her senior class to get the job done.

Returners Jacquie Cronin at second base, Kayla McGillvray at third, Alanna Rourke behind the plate, Robin Radar in right and Ducinski on the mound will be the nucleus for this year’s Duxbury team, while Savino tries to work in some underclassmen led by freshman shortstop Maddie Duddy.

“Maddie will be playing a very key position for us this year,” said Savino. “She’s still learning. But there is little doubt she’ll keep getting better, and I expect her bat to come around too.”

The freshman will be surrounded by veterans Cronin and McGillvray, who along with Laura Walter at first, will make up the Lady Dragon infield.

“Laura was a key player as a junior and is very versatile. She can pitch too, but I think you’ll see her at first most of the time,” said Savino. “Cronin is quick in the field and at the plate. She plays a very strong second base for us, while McGillvray is very solid at third and one of our power hitters in the third slot.”

Laura Donovan should see plenty of time in left field, as Savino wants her bat in the lineup on a regular basis, while freshman Kristin McHugh has shown speed and a good eye at the plate, which should earn her some playing time.

Grace Kelso will be in center field where her speed helps her track down fly balls and her quickness makes her a bunting threat at the plate.

Rader will get the nod in right field with Ducinski on the mound, as most balls hit off the lefthander end up out there.

“She really knows how to read the angles on balls hit out that way,” said Savino. “When Laura pitches you might see me switch her to center.”

If there is one position that Savino feels can’t be replaced other than Ducinski, it is her batterymate: catcher Alanna Rourke.

“I won’t be able to replace this kid for a long time,” said the Duxbury coach. “She is very good defensively and sets up nicely behind the plate. She played great ball all weekend out in Plainville and can really make contact. She just keeps hitting the ball further and further.”

If Rourke is considered irreplaceable at 1A, than the senior lefthander is #1.

Considered one of the top pitchers in the Patriot League and on the South Shore, as well as Greater Boston, Ducinski will keep the Lady Dragons in all their games according to Savino.

Other players who will make up the Lady Dragon roster include: senior Brianna Murphy, juniors Kerry Turok and Meghan Nelson, sophomore Kim Bond, and freshman Laurel Duffy.

“We might takes our lumps early, but we’ll be better by the end of the year,” said Savino. “We have the speed and pitching to make things happen. I’m just worried about the fact that we have so little time to prepare and we have some inexperience in the infield. The positives are we have a good working group of kids. It’s a good sign when you have a bunch of freshman who work hard because they want to get better.”

After opening on Wednesday afternoon at home against Plymouth North, the Lady Dragons will take on Hingham on Friday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. in its Patriot League opener.