High School Softball at a glance

JACKSON-MILTON
Coach: Kelly Snowden, nine seasons2005 record: 12-12Players lost to graduation: None providedReturning letterwinners: Krista Kiraly, Carrie Fiol, Jessica Balent, Laura Yash, Kara Conrad, Kortney Gherardi, Des Cavanaugh, Erica WilmothPromising newcomers: Jody Richmond, Billi Jo Byram, Katlyn PirkoTeam's outlook: With eight starters returning, Snowden says the Bluejays' top strength is experience.League outlook: Snowden says, "The ICL is always too close to call."
LOWELLVILLE
Coach: Lisa Doll, fifth season, 21-512005 record: 12-10Players lost to graduation: C Juli Peterson, four-year starter, three-time second team All-ICL, .417 batting average, 2.7 putouts per game; CF Kathy Peterson, three-time first team All-ICL, .321, .462 on-base average; SS Lindsay Wilson, twice first team ICL, .394., .562 OBA, 29 stolen bases, 5-0 pitchingReturning letterwinners: SS Jacque Schrader, junior, .456 batting average, on-base average .562; P Carla Blinsky, junior, first team All-ICL, .483, .587 OBA, .665 slugging percentage, .327 earned-run average, 86 strikeouts, four shutouts, one no-hitter; C/OF Casey Wilson, junior, second team All-ICL, .340, .539; OF Sarayna Svetlak, junior, honorable mention All-ICLPromising newcomers: 3B/P Kristen Pallozzi, junior; 3B Stephanie Yankle, junior; LF Shawna McDowell, freshmanTeam's outlook: Doll says the Rockets' goal is to finish in the top three of the league race. Strengths are pitching and hitting. Doll's concern is the position switches that were made.League outlook: Doll expects the Rockets to contend with Springfield and Western Reserve, followed by Jackson-Milton and McDonald.
SEBRING
Coach: Ty Schaffer, second year2005 record: 6-14, 5-9 Tri-County LeaguePlayers lost to graduation: SS Kaley Drennen, 3B/LF Rachel HawkinsReturning letterwinners: 3B Kayla Faundree, senior; SS/1B Ashley Amabeli, senior, second team All-ICL; C/OF Chelsea Neeb, junior; P/2B Briana Jones, junior; OF Jordan Henderson, junior; OF/3B Ashley Smith, sophomore; C/OF/INF Megan Allcorn, sophomore; P/1B Kirsten Schaffer, sophomore, honorable mention TCL and districtPromising newcomers: OF/C/SS Katie Wilson, junior; OF Shannon Pratt, junior; OF/1B Olivia Gough, sophomore; 2B Chantelle Fox, freshmanTeam's outlook: Ty Schaffer says the Trojans are young, but have eight lettermen returning and six others who played summer ball. "The loss of Kaley and Rachel created a hole on the left side of the field," said Schaffer, who is moving the right side of the infield to replace them. So much movement is a concern. "If they can rise to the occasion, our defense will be strong," Schaffer said. "We need to improve our batting average." The Trojans finished last year by winning five of the final nine contests. League outlook: Because the Trojans are new to the ICL, Schaffer says they are still learning about their league opponents. "Springfield has strong tradition in softball, Western Reserve made it to the regional last year and Lowellville finished in the district final. I would imagine that these teams will be strong again."
SOUTH RANGE
Coach: Ray Thomas, eight season, 81-892005 record: 6-14Players lost to graduation: P Skye Walley, 6-14, team MVP, honorable mention All-ICL; C Kasey Knopp; CF Kelcie Witmer; LF Jaymi Payne; SS Cindy SchulerReturning letterwinners: 1B Lynn O'Connell, senior, .354 batting average, honorable mention All-ICL; 2B Heather Stacy, senior, .343, honorable mention All-ICL; C Autumn Carter, sophomorePromising newcomers: LP Alexis Binder, senior; P/INF Chelsea Leson, freshman; CF Megan Beachley, freshmanTeam's outlook: Thomas says the Raiders "are a very young team." He expects them to be strong in the infield. "Hitting could be our weakness, but with hard work, we could be a sleeper," Thomas said.League outlook: Thomas says Springfield, Western Reserve and Mineral Ridge should be the top contenders.
WESTERN RESERVE
Coach: Joe Serensky, sixth season, 90-392005 record: 20-7Players lost to graduation: P Katie Harmon, first team All-ICL and second team all-Ohio; C Quinn McCammon, first team All-ICL and all-NEO; INF Andrea Martin, first team All-ICLReturning letterwinners: CF Macy Marra, junior, first team All-ICL; P Stevie Banks, senior, honorable mention All-ICL; OF Olivia Myers, senior; 2B Tarah Young, senior; C/1B Cassie Zimmerman, junior; SS McKenzie Mowery, junior, second team All-ICL; 3B Ellie Sanders, sophomorePromising newcomers: C Erika Goddard, junior; OF Carlee Rioley, sophomore; UP Brittany Boyer, sophomore; P Elizabeth Srock, freshman; C Chelsea Korda, freshmanTeam's outlook: Serensky says the Raiders will have "strong pitching, great hitting and good defense."League outlook: Serensky expects Springfield, Lowellville and McDonald to challenge the Raiders for the league title.
Includes information from coaches who responded to preseason questionnaires.