As strange as it sounds, missing state for the past three years should help the Liberty softball team.

When Liberty coach Jessica Johnson took over the team three years ago, she also inherited the team’s 12-year streak of state tournament appearances.

“I played at Liberty, I was part of that, and it really stressed me out,” Johnson said. “I put a lot of pressure on myself right away. I thought it was going to be if I want it, they’re going to want it. But that wasn’t the case. They have to want it just as bad.”

Now with a more relaxed approach, Johnson and the Patriots hope to step out of the shadow from the program’s past.

“We don’t have to worry about that anymore, because we haven’t made it to state,” she said. “We have our own story to write.”

The Patriots are fairly young again with five of the 12 varsity players sophomores or freshmen. The team has three seniors.

Junior shortstop Denise Blohowiak will lead the way. Blohowiak made the KingCo all-league second team last season and can also pitch if needed.

Liberty has a number of other key returners. Senior Marissa Jeffers will start at first. Senior Jenn Rucker moved from second base to third. Sophomore Miranda Bukantz will play catcher.

Johnson is excited about the potential of two freshmen, Liza Van Camp and Jana Walker. Both are left-handed slappers, and both are very good.

“These kids know what to do at the plate, they are trained and the understand the mental side,” Johnson said. “I see them surprising a lot of people.”

Van Camp will play second base and pitch. Walker will play in the outfield. The two speedsters will bat at the top of the order on offense.

Johnson is excited for her young team to keep growing.

“This is the third year of playing together and we’re getting to know each other’s quirks,” she said.

Johnson gave five of the players lessons before she started coaching, so she’s known them since they were in fifth or sixth grade, a big advantage as a head coach.

Liberty beat Mount Si 12-3 March 22 in the KingCo opener. The Patriots play Bellevue Monday at home at 4:30 p.m.