Maybe Siuslaw coach Sean O'Mara is hoping for a little luck of the Irish on St. Patrick's Day (Thursday) when his Vikings venture to Waldport for their season opener.

With eight returning players and only two returning seniors, the Siuslaw Vikings softball team will be relatively young and untested. A little luck might go a long way.

"Lots of juniors coming back, and a lot of work to do," O'Mara said. "Just like every year."

Last season was tough for the Lady Vikings, who opened with a doubleheader sweep of Bandon, then won only one other game, near the end of Far West League play against North Bend.

The Vikings' first game this season is at Waldport. Their first home game is Monday, March 21, against Philomath. First pitch of the nonleague doubleheader is 1 p.m.

The Vikings also have home games at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, March 31, versus Sutherlin and noon Saturday, April 2, versus Junction City.

Nonleague road games include March 23 at Cottage Grove, March 25 at Harrisburg and March 29 at Elmira.

Assistant coaches are Bob Archer, Danielle Hanson, Erin Ellis, Katie Thrall and Jodie O'Mara.

2016 SCHEDULE

Nonleague

• Thursday, March 17 — at Waldport, 4 p.m.
• Monday, March 21 — Philomath (2), 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 23 — at Cottage Grove (2), noon and 2 p.m.
• Friday, March 25 — at Harrisburg, noon
• Tuesday, March 29 — at Elmira, 4:30 p.m.
• Thursday, March 31 — Sutherlin, 4:30 p.m.
• Saturday, April 2 — Junction City (2), noon and 2 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 5 — at Tillamook, 3 p.m.

Far West League

• Friday, April 8 — at Marshfield (2), 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 12 — Brookings-Harbor, 5 p.m.
• Friday, April 15 — Douglas (2), 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 19 — at North Bend, 5 p.m.
• Friday, April 22 — at South Umpqua (2), 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 26 — Marshfield, 5 p.m.
• Friday, April 29 — at Brookings-Harbor (2), 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 3 — at Douglas, 5 p.m.
• Friday, May 6 — North Bend (2), 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 10 — South Umpqua, 5 p.m.
• Saturday, May 14 — OSAA ratings freeze date
• Thursday, May 19 — OSAA play-in date