PREP SOFTBALL Area teams at a glance

EAST PALESTINE
League: Tri-County League.
Coach: Dan McKinstry, fourth year (33-39).
2005 record: 16-8, 9-5.
Players lost to graduation: Ashley Ehrenberg (school's all-time hits leader; three-time all-TCL).
Returning letter-winners: 1B Jenn Yokley (Sr., .321 BA, 6 HR); OF Chelsea Fegert (Sr.); P/OF Chelsea Peterson (all-TCL; 11-7, 133 Ks, 2.33 ERA, .341 BA); P/OF Allison McMillen (Jr., 5-1, .329 BA); OF Tammie Allison (Jr.); OF Katie Brown (Jr.); C/DH Sarah Downey (Jr., .320 BA); C/OF Jessica Powers (Jr., .286 BA); 2B Jesse Gamble (Soph., .261 BA); C/DH Becky Hill (Soph., .324 BA).
Promising newcomers: 1B/OF Erin Reese (Soph.); SS Jessica Cavanaugh (Fr.); SS/3B Becky Bollinger (Fr.); 1B/OF Liz Henderson (Fr.); P Kristen Kuhns (Fr.); OF Ashley Kimmel (Fr.); OF Raylynn Sweet (Soph.); INF Brook Mulf (Soph.).
Team's outlook: After their first winning season in 10 years, the Bulldogs return 10 letter-winners, but they must develop depth in the infield.
League outlook: McKinstry thinks the league will be the most competitive it's ever been, with his team in the mix for the title along with Columbiana, Crestview, United and Lisbon.
SOUTHERN
League: Tri-County League.
Coach: Mike Crews, first year.
2005 record: 2-19.
Players lost to graduation: Sara Brown (honorable mention all-TCL).
Returning letter-winners: 3B/RF Chelsea Anderson (Jr.); P Hannah Crews (Soph., holds school records for strikeouts in a game, 12, and season, 123); CF/C Emily Ramsey (Jr., holds school record for stolen bases in game, 4, and season, 15); P Laura VanDyne (Jr.).
Promising newcomers: SS Taylor Flory (Fr.).
Team's outlook: Crews is hoping for an improvement over last season, but with just 14 players, including seven freshman, they'll have to rely on strong pitching to compete.
League outlook: Lisbon, Columbiana, Crestview, East Palestine and United will compete for the league title, Crews said.
WEST BRANCH
League: Northeastern Buckeye Conference.
Coach: Jennifer Woods, 20th year (228-236).
2005 record: 10-14.
Players lost to graduation: Vana Morgan (four-year letter-winner; .382 BA); Evelyn Woods (four-year letterwinner; .405 BA).
Returning letter-winners: SS/P Allison Edie (Sr., three-year letter-winner, .294); 1B/SS Becky Runyo (Sr., three-year letter-winner); 3B Holly Mellinger (Sr.); C/CF Bri Benedict (Jr., first team all-NBC; set school records for slugging percentage, .800, and batting average, .500); OF/1B Melissa Solomon (Jr.); OF Jessica Early (Jr.); 1B/F Kelsey Price (Jr.); 2B Caitlyn King (Soph.); OF Cali Hardy (Soph.)
Promising newcomers: Lyndsey Todor (Jr.); OF/INF Brittany Snyder (Jr.); P Sammy Snyder (Jr.); OF Jen Cook (Jr.); CR Courtney Salvino.
Team's outlook: The Warriors lost two of their top three hitters to graduation and most players don't have much fast-pitch experience. Defense is a strength.
XIncludes information from coaches who responded to preseason questionnaires.