HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL Area teams at a glance

HOWLAND
League: Metro Athletic Conference.
Coach: Andrea Ferenac, second season, 14-112005 record: 14-11Players lost to graduation: SS/C Amy Cornicelli, four-year letterwinner, .408 batting average, 12 RBIs, first-team all-MACReturning letterwinners: C Desiree Sibera, senior, two-year letterwinner, second team all-MAC, last year's leader batter in batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage and RBIs; 3B Courtney McElhaney, senior; INF Erin Gilmour, senior, two-year letterwinner; 3B Sonjia Ferenac, senior; 1B Rachel Albani, senior, two-year letterwinner; CF Carly Sabat, junior, two-year letter winner, RBI co-leader, walks leader, first team all-MAC; P Ali Myers, junior, 13-10, 1.51 earned-run average, first-team all-MAC; OF Maria Brutz, junior, 10 RBIs, second team all-MAC; OF Gia Pahoulis, sophomore, second-team all-MAC; INF Jackie Hill, sophomore, stolen bases leader, .346 batting average, 12 RBIsPromising newcomers: P/1B Rachel Bixler, sophomore; INF Katie Peoples, sophomore; P/OF Abby Nicholas, freshman; P/3B Casey Haering, freshmanTeam's outlook: Andrea Ferenac says the Tigers' strengths are a strong core of experienced seniors and juniors, pitching depth and speed. Her concerns include inexperience of young players in key roles and offensive inconsistency. She says the schedule is strong and will help down the road.
POLAND
League: Metro Athletic ConferenceCoach: Reid Lamport, 17th season, 356-832005 record: 26-4, MAC champions and regional semifinalist. The Bulldogs have won or shared conference crowns for 19 straight seasons.Players lost to graduation: P Kristy Hertz, 7-0, 82 strikeoutsReturning letterwinners: 1B Ciera Urichich, senior, second team all-MAC; Utility player Amanda Reardon, senior, 13 stolen bases; C Kari Thompson, junior, .468 batting average, first team all-MAC and all-NEO; SS Ashley Conger, junior, .417, first team all-MAC and all-NEO; P/OF Allie Patton, sophomore, .413, 0.55 earned-run average, first team all-MAC and all-NEO; INF/P Jenna Susany, junior, .352, second team all-MAC; OF Emma Brenoel, sophomore, .354 on-base average, second team all-MAC; OF/P Jenna Modine, sophomore, .383 OBA; P/DP Liz Maher, .316 BA; INF Amanda Gittings, junior, .958 fielding average, honorable mention all-MAC; Ashley Tadla, junior, .286 BA; Julia Johnston, junior, .250 BAPromising newcomers: None listed -- all of this year's starters played on 2005 team.Team's outlook: Lamport says the Bulldogs' strengths are experience, solid pitching and team defense. Consistent hitting and average speed are concerns.League outlook: Lamport expects Canfield and Howland to challenge the Bulldogs.
SALEM
League: Metro Athletic ConferenceCoach: Kellie Page2005 record: Not providedPlayers lost to graduation: CF Rita Liggitt, C Amanda Yeager, OF Kainani Lovette, IP Tabitha MaenzReturning letterwinners: OF Ali Calvin, INF Stephanie Szabat, P Brittany Gregory, OF Chelsy Kaley, C Abi Seguin, 1B Katie Malloy, 3B Jess MatthewsPromising newcomers: INF Mikenzie Clark, 1B/OF Sarah Conrad, INF Jordyn Hissom, P Paige Kenreigh, UP Kirsten Kuhns, OF Bridget Szabat, UP Jessica Boothe, C Jessie Dillon, C Leah MinamyerTeam's outlook: Bell says her players have good work ethics, willingness to learn and supportive parents.League outlook: None provided
STRUTHERS
League: Metro Athletic ConferenceCoach: Tom Krestel, 12th season, 115-1202005 record: 9-13Players lost to graduation: P Michelle Zanni, second team all-MAC; 1B Michelle High, four-year letterwinner, three years all-MAC; 2B Nicole McGuire, second team all-MACReturning letterwinners: SS/2B Anne Grischow, senior, three-year letterwinner; OF Elyse Kunzer, three-year letterwinner; OF Steph Salli, three-year letterwinner; SS Sam Dithian, sophomore; OF Halle Minchin-Skook, sophomorePromising newcomers: 3B Sarah Salinas, senior, transfer from California; P Ellen Becker, freshman; Brittany Dovo; C/OF Dominique Martino, freshman; C/OF Pam Sajnovsky, freshmanTeam's outlook: Krestel says the Wildcats' strengths are upperclass leadership and speed. Inexperience is a concern.League outlook: Krestel sees Poland and Canfield battling for the top, with Howland a potential challenger.
Includes information from coaches who responded to preseason questionnaires.