Gaston College history to be made on Saturday at Gastonia's Martha Rivers Park

Gaston College's first-ever softball game will be played on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Gastonia's Martha Rivers Park when the Rhinos host USC Union in a doubleheader.

Coach Mike Steuerwald has an 11-player roster that will compete in the Division II of National Junior College Athletic Association's Region 10.

Steuerwald and his coaching staff of Lani Ries, Jessica Beck and Bethany Doty have been putting together a team since last summer through coaching connections, recruiting tips and even tryout camps.

Pitcher, catcher and third baseman Emma Sattison from Butler High in Matthews was the first player and pitcher-outfielder Raynee Redington is the team's most experience player, having transferred after one season at four-year William Peace University in Raleigh.

The rest of the team is comprised of Point University transfer (catcher-second baseman Emily Matthews), first baseman-outfielder McKenzie Plaskin of Pompano Beach, Fla., and local products Serena Yalich (Parkwood shortstop), Gracie Frazeur (Ashbrook pitcher), Kaylyn Byrd (East Gaston outfielder), McKenzie Gates (Bessemer City Community Christian Academy outfielder), Morgan Maltba (Gastonia homeschool infielder), Kayleigh Dockery (Hunter Huss infielder) and Kaylah Hannibal (Piedmont Community Charter outfielder).

"We're a building program for sure," said Steuerwald, who brings years of collegiate and pro coaching experience to Gaston College. "But there's a lot of excitement around being on the first softball team in school history. These players are aware that are laying a foundation."