Richmond will begin its second varsity softball season under head coach Baylyn Jennings in a different place than originally planned.

The Spartans were scheduled to open the season with a tournament at Marshall, but scheduling issues forced a change. Richmond will instead begin play Saturday in a round-robin tournament at Lathrop. The Spartans’ first stand-alone game is scheduled for Sept. 1 against Lawson at Southview Park.

Jennings enters her second year as head coach and will be assisted by Jaedyn Phillips and volunteer assistant Landon Calvert. Richmond has three returning letter winners and three returning starters: senior Maya Griffin, junior Taylor Baker and sophomore Allie Johnson. Griffin plays third base, second base and pitches, while Baker and Johnson both play first base and outfield.

With a mix of experienced and younger players, Jennings expects leadership to come from several places. Baker, Griffin and sophomore Molly Pierson have emerged as players who can help set the to…