HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL | Area teams at a glance

BROOKFIELD
League: Trumbull Athletic Conference.Coach: Shawn Hammond, first year.2005 record: None provided.Players lost to graduation: None provided.Returning letterwinners: Courtney Christy, senior; Mary Palumbo, senior; Jeanette Geer, senior; Rachel Baker, junior; Liz Dillon, junior; Chelsea Miller, junior; Kara Egelsky, sophomore.Promising newcomers: Breanna Mild, junior; Rachel Shebeck, junior; Maggie Marmion, freshman; Hillary Christy, freshman; Meghan Reiser, freshman; Kodi Brenner, freshman; Brittany Hiner, freshman; Brittney Springs, freshman; Stephanie Van Meter, freshman.Team's outlook: Hammond says the Warriors have "a good mix of young talent and experienced upperclassmen. We have good depth at most positions. We expect to have a good, competitive year."
CHAMPION
League: Trumbull Athletic Conference.Coach: Cheryl Weaver, seventh season, 114-36.2005 record: 24-2.Players lost to graduation: C Alyshia Brink, .317 batting average, .413 on-base average, .981 fielding percentage.Returning letterwinners: P Kasey Karr, senior, .494, .568 OBA, .729 slugging percentage, 0.40 earned-run average, 12-1; SS/P Jaclyn Carpenter, senior, .407, .471 OBA, .495 slugging, 1.81 ERA, 9-0; 2B Emily Hayes, senior, .380, .467 OBA, .506 slugging; 1B Hillary Beachy, senior, .293, .363 OBA, .476 slugging; 3B Cara Popadak, senior, .231, .296 OBA, .323 slugging; OF/P Brittany Skeels, junior, .210, .286 OBA, 1.97 ERA; OF Jackie Knepp, junior, .190, .230 OBA.Promising newcomers: OF Jessica Frants, sophomore; INF/OF Nicole Weaver, sophomore; OF Ashley Rable, freshman; C Katie Saluga, freshman.Team's outlook: Cheryl Weaver says the Golden Flashes' strengths are pitching and the hitting in the top of the order. The team has experience from five seniors and two juniors.League outlook: Weaver expects LaBrae and Lakeview to challenge Champion for the league crown.
LAKEVIEW
League: Trumbull Athletic Conference.Coach: Carl E. Eaton, third year (21-16).2005 record: 15-6, 9-5.Players lost to graduation: Kate Barnett (.344 BA, four-year letterwinner).Returning letterwinners: INF Michelle Antonelli (Sr., .379 BA, .469 OBP, four-year letterwinner); 1B Brittney Bucco (Sr., .368 BA, .574 slugging percentage; first team all-TAC; four-year letterwinner); CF Kelly Moore (Sr., first team all-TAC; four-year letterwinner); INF Jen Baker (three-year letterwinner); P Kailynn Cerny (Soph., 6-4, 2.00 ERA).Promising newcomers: P Abbey Bensing (Fr.).Team's outlook: The Bullodgs lost standout pitcher Lindsay Whetzel to an ACL injury, leaving them inexperienced at pitcher. They have plenty of experience elsewhere and good team speed.League outlook: Eaton expects to compete with Champion and LaBrae for the title.
NEWTON FALLS
League: Trumbull Athletic Conference.Coach: Tami Sinn, third year (41-10).2005 record: 22-4.Players lost to graduation: Lindsey McCartney (all-TAC selection all four years as pitcher); Lindsay Culled.Returning letterwinners: SS/P Casee Piquet (Sr., three-time all-TAC selection); C Emily Montgomery (Jr., two-time all-TAC); Kirsten Berry (Jr.); Marisa Matas (Jr., first team all-TAC last season); OF Jasmine Hawkins (Soph.); OF Lauren Mauric (Soph.); INF Jessica Connell (Soph.).Promising newcomers: P/INF/OF Blaine Chapman (Fr.); INF Ashley Walker (Fr.); INF Stephanie Blaire (Fr.); OF Samantha Bodnar (Fr.).Team's outlook: Sinn is happy with her team's work ethic and attitude but lack of an experience is a concern.
SPRINGFIELD
League: Inter-County League.Coach: Amy Angelo, first year.2005 record: 17-1, 11-1Players lost to graduation: Danielle DeWitt, second team ICL; Heather Snyder, first team ICL; Carolyn Serenko.Returning letterwinners: 1B Samantha Cavalier, senior; 2B Brittney Marinelli, senior; SS, Christy Warren, senior, first team ICL; 3B Ashley Fagnano, senior, second team ICL; P Colleen Platt, senior, second team ICL; P Krista Snyder, senior, HM ICL; C Courtney Sheely, senior, HM ICL; OF Chelsea Quimby, senior.Promising newcomers: OF Whitney Yaeger, sophomore; P Erica Burkey, freshman; INF/DH Rebecca Evan, freshman; OF Breanne Mincher, freshman.Team's outlook: With eight returning seniors and a wealth of experience, Angelo expects the Tigers to contend for league and district titles. Strong on offense and defense.League outlook: "Our league has good parity this season, which will make the league race exciting," Angelo said.
Includes information from coaches who responded to preseason questionnaires.