Aberdeen Eagles
Coach: Janie Robinson, 22nd season.
Assistants: Lynette Shelley, Pam Young, Elaine Bennett.
Last year's record: 14-4, Class 2A regional finalists.
Starters lost: 4.
Returnees: Rachel Cassady, sr., P; Kelly Eakin, sr., SS; Beth Oates, sr., OF; Jenny Cohen, sr., IF/DH; Lisa Williamson, jr., OF; Jackie Elliot, so., C; Melody Doran, jr., 3B.
Newcomers: Bridget Walters, jr., IF; Michelle Bennett, jr., 1B; Deanna Johnson, jr., OF; SandyDavis, so., 2B/OF; Roshella Brown, so., OF; Krista Matherly, jr., RF.
Coach's outlook: "Hitting is going to be the biggest question. If we can get hits or get on base, we'll be OK. Defensively, I'm not worried. We have to have some hitting, and I don't have the hitting power I used to have."
Harford County Sun's outlook: The Eagles' goal last year was to make it to the regional playoffs, and they did -- falling in the title game to Stephen Decatur, 5-1. The Eagles, rankedNo. 14 in the Metro area by The Baltimore Sun, want to go one step further this year. They want to make it all the way to the state finalfour. The jump up to Class 3A improves their chances, since the Eagles' new region contains only Harford and Baltimore county teams. Cassady, a windmiller who's been clocked close to 60 mph, gives the Eagles a tremendous edge. But they will have to get some hits to back up their ace. The Eagles lost their sluggers to graduation, but Cassady, Bennett and Doran should be the most consistent hitters. Robinson will need a contribution from the rest of her lineup as well. The Eagleshave plenty of speed on the base paths, but they have to get on to use it.
BEL AIR BOBCATS
Coach: Val Cooper, sixth season.
Assistants: Marlene Campbell, Sherry Weaver.
Last year's record: 5-13.
Starters lost: 4.
Returnees: Maria Poggioli, sr., 2B; Amy Finlayson, so., P; Amy Dagilas, sr., LF; Christine Liberatore, sr., SS; Jennifer McGlothan, sr., 1B; Beth Wieners, 1B/3A; Serena Maines, sr., 3B;Michelle Bowen, sr., CF; Kim Melchoir, sr., RF; Chris Fleckenstein, jr., C.
Newcomers: Dana Enlow, jr., OF; Sara Daniel, jr., OF; Tasha Rice, jr., OF; Ann Marie Linett, jr., DH/OF; Danielle Rhode, so., SS.
Coach's outlook: "Our chemistry is so much better than last year. This team already seems to kind of jell better than last year's team. It isn't a team of individuals. Last year, we had good ability --we just never came together as a team. The thing I've noticed this year is that there's a better attitude. That helps us out a lot."
Harford County Sun's outlook: The Bobcats are determined to improve onlast year's record, but Cooper has rebuilding to do. Only Maines andPoggioli return to the infield, with Dagilas back in the outfield. Finlayson, who was sidelined on and off last season with injuries, will do most of the pitching. Last year, her control earned her the starting spot, but she has added some speed and become more effective. Fleckenstein returns behind the plate. McGlothan and Rhode should startin the infield, while Bowen and Melchoir will battle a host of juniors for their outfield spots.
C. MILTON WRIGHT MUSTANGS
Coach: JohnSeaman, third season.
Assistant: Ken Dawson.
Last year's record: 11-7, Class 3A regional semifinalists.
Starters lost: 1.
Returnees: Danielle Rivas, sr., 1B; Abby Walls, sr., C; Jenny Lewis, so., P; Jennie Stagnoli, sr., SS; Kim Haker, sr., OF; Becky Walters, sr., 2B; Heather Huffman, sr., OF; Laura Rice, jr., 3B; Melisa Billings,so., OF.
Newcomers: Jen Eller, jr., OF; Beth Burns, jr., 1B; Erika Dedrich, jr., C/OF; Amy Gould, jr., IF; Janet Crouch, so., IF.
Coach's outlook: "I think we'll be a very similar team to last year's team. We should have the pitching and I hope we can play as well defensively. Last year, we were just a poor hitting team. For us to win consistently, we are going to need people to get a lot more hits."
Harford County Sun's outlook: Like the other three teams in the preseason top four -- John Carroll, Aberdeen and Havre de Grace -- the Mustangs have pitching. Lewis (3.46 ERA) is solid and has improved over last year. But like the other contenders, the Mustangs don't return much offense. As a team, the Mustangs hit .282 last year. If they don't improve at the plate, they might drop from the top four. Rivas, Walls and Stagnoli all hit between .365 and .395 last year, but the restof the lineup didn't contribute much. Defensively, Seaman doesn't have a lot to worry about. Rivas, Stagnoli and Walters return to the starting lineup along with Walls. Rice will take over at third. Three outfielders, Haker, Huffman and Billings, are also back in the starting rotation.
EDGEWOOD RAMS
Coach: Phil Everett, second season.
Assistants: Greg Long, Julio Ortega.
Last year's record: 6-12.
Starters lost: 2.
Returnees: Monica Santana, jr., SS; Erin Young, so., C; Chrissy King, sr., P; Amy Hetzel, sr., 2B; Ginger Duke, sr., OF; Ann Collins, jr., 3B; Kelly Rider, jr., P; Kim Clark, jr., LF; Jamie Kozub, jr., 1B; Heather Sexton, jr., CF.
Newcomers: Rachel Miller, sr., C; Jennifer Napoleon, sr., RF; Christy Gross, sr., 1B/DH; Cathy Johnson, so., P/SS; Jen Collins, fr., CF; Shannon Basham, so., RF/DH.
Coach's outlook: "The only thing we need to do is control ourpitching. That's got to come through, because that's going to determine the success of this team. They have everything else -- the offense and the defense."
Harford County Sun's outlook: The Rams are close to breaking into the top four in the county, but they need strong pitching to boost them. Tuesday, they almost beat Havre de Grace but ended up losing, 7-5, in extra innings. The Rams pitchers walked 16 batters and walked in three Warriors runs. King, Rider and Johnson do most of the pitching; all are working on their control. Otherwise, the Rams have a pretty solid defense and the potential for a lot of offense. Santana is one of the top athletes in the county and will be one of Coach Everett's top hitters. The coach also looks for Hetzel, Clark, Young, Ann Collins and Jen Collins to contribute offensively. Napoleon, a transfer from Korea, played in summer Beltway League and should help out quickly.
FALLSTON COUGARS
Coach: Vicki Wright, thirdseason.
Assistants: Chris Scholz, Karen Hinckle.
Last year's record: 6-12.
Starters lost: 1.
Returnees: Kristin Bauersfeld, sr., CF; Amy French, sr., P; Jeanna Marzullo, sr., 1B; Dina Inners, sr., 2B; Molly Marshall, sr., 3B; Melissa DePinho, sr., LF; Pam Gauss, so., SS; Chrissy Holthaus, jr., RF/2B; Amy Bauersfeld, so., P; Heather Meyer, so., RF/C; Danielle Malizweski, so., C.
Newcomers: Kara Jackson, jr., 1B/DH; Monica Marshall, jr., 3B; Robin Davis, jr., SS.
Coach's outlook: "Last year was very disappointing. We had almost all these girls, but we didn't play up to our potential. We had a lot of internal problems and you know that's like the plague. This group is not going to give up. They work very hard for me, and that makes adifference."
Harford County Sun's outlook: Despite having almost everybody back from last year, Wright said she is still rebuilding with this group. Wright posted a 9-9 season with seven starting sophomores two years ago, but that same group had a losing season last year.The Cougars should go over .500 this year, but they will have to getmore controlled pitching and play better defense. They have to prevent that one bad inning that cost them more than a few games last year. Unlike just about every other team in the county, the Cougars' strength is their offense. Kristin Bauersfeld, Molly Marshall, French, Marzullo, DePinho and Holthaus can all hit with consistency. There are power hitters here, and most are a threat to steal every time they get on base.
HAVRE DE GRACE WARRIORS
Coach: Tom Trafton, seventh season.
Assistants: George Hawkins, Herb Mason, Mary Owens.
Last year's record: 8-11, Class 1A regional finalists.
Starters lost: 4.
Returnees: Rebecca Hawkins, jr., P; Karen Romanelli, sr., 2B; Bobbi Zachry, jr., SS; Lauren Foell, sr., OF/3B; Colleen Grady, sr., C; Jamie Whatley, sr., OF; Courtney Miller, jr., RF.
Newcomers: Kim Hill, jr., 1B; Kerri Bauer, jr., 2B; Amy Allingham, so., 3B/OF; RhondaWhite, fr., LF; Jen Crouse, fr., OF.
Coach's outlook: "We have a solid veteran infield, but we've got little experience in the outfield, so it will depend on the outfield. We've also got some holes in the hitting department. We have four or five good hitters. We'll try toscrape by with the rest."
Harford County Sun's outlook: One of two Harford County teams to reach the regional finals last year, the Warriors fell to Francis Scott Key, 6-2. Hawkins pitched well and the Warriors played decently defensively, but they managed only two hits. Unless their offense comes on a little bit stronger, the Warriors will struggle. Still, Trafton's club takes advantage of the opposition'smistakes as well as any local team, so they could pull out the closeones. Defensively, however, the Warriors could use some improvement.The infield, with returning starters Romanelli and Zachry, looks pretty good, but Trafton may move Foell from third base to the outfield to cut down on the errors. Hawkins (3.00 ERA) will keep the Warriors in a lot of games, but the defense and the offense will have to improve if they plan to make a return trip to the regional playoffs.
JOHN CARROLL PATRIOTS
Coach: Neal Drexel, 12th season.
Assistants: Roger Hilaski, Mary Michael Kunkel.
Last year's record: 15-2, county champs.
Starters lost: 5.
Returnees: Bonnie Lawson, jr., P; Amity Torbit, jr., SS; Katie Nietubicz, jr., 2B; Ellen Marr, sr., 3B/P; Stacy Hilaski, sr., CF; Maryalice Klopcic, sr., 2B/OF; Alicia Romano, jr., C/ OF; Kelly Barnes, so., C; Cathy Topper, sr., OF.
Newcomers: Janeen Psenicska, fr., 1B; Laura Meerholz, jr., OF/1B; Kristin Merritt, jr., SS/CF; Marcia Szyjka, sr., OF/3B; Laurie Giorno, so., OF/1B.
Coach's outlook: "You never know about the hitting. We have four people back who are steady hitters. After that, we have the potential, but you never know. With Bonnie throwing, we'll contend. If shecan cut down the walks we'll be tough."
Harford County Sun's outlook: Lawson guided the Patriots to the county title last year, and she will be the one to carry them again this year with her bat as well as her arm. She will be the clean-up hitter and probably will pitch every game. In addition to posting a 13-1 record with a 2.70 ERA, Lawson struck out 154 in 101 innings pitched. The left-hander did, however, walk 152, and that's where Drexel expects her to improve. Barnes, also a left-hander, will move behind the plate where she is comfortable catching Lawson. Torbit, Nietubicz and Marr return to their starting spots in the infield. Psenicska will start at first. Hilaski and Szyjka should start in the outfield. Torbit batted. 475 in the leadoffspot and Nietubicz hit .409, but the Patriots will need a few other bats to start driving them in.
JOPPATOWNE MARINERS
Coach: Dan Eaton, first season.
Assistants: Peggy Davis.
Last year's record: 1-16.
Starters lost: 2.
Returnees: Mary Ellen Jones, sr., P; KimConway, sr., 1B; Jill Kutay, sr., C; Jen Kutay, sr., CF; Jenn Vogt, sr., OF; Amy Gehring, sr., 2B; LoReal Russell, sr., OF; Dyann Cunion,sr., 3B; Karina Korenczuk, sr., 2B; Sunda Selle, jr., SS.
Newcomers: Chrissy Poist, so., P; Erin Leib, so., 1B; Heather Davis, so., 3B; Jen Deeble, jr., OF; Jaime Vanderwarka, so., OF; April Meise, so., LF.
Coach Davis' outlook: "It looks like right now our defense is going to be our strong point. We had to rebuild a lot last year, and we are still stressing the basics. We think we can improve on that record. The only question is, how we are going to hit?"
Harford County Sun's outlook: New coach Eaton has continued to drill the Marinerson the fundamentals. Last year, the Mariners started from square one, and although they have made progress, they still have a way to go. The biggest potential weakness is the offense. Conway, Vogt and Leib could be big hitters for Eaton, but the others are still working on banging out consistent base hits. Veteran Jones as well as Poist will see time on the mound. Neither has great speed, but both have pretty good control. Still, the opposition is going to get some hits, so thedefense will have to hold up for the Mariners to win. Concerning thedefense, Conway, Gehring and Selle return to the infield, and Jen Kutay and Vogt are back in the outfield. Jill Kutay returns to catch.
NORTH HARFORD HAWKS
Coach: Ben Bray, first season.
Assistant: Bill Lang.
Last year's record: 11-7, Class 2A regional quarterfinalists.
Starters lost: 8.
Returnees: Tonia Bruno, jr., C; Edie Vanover, sr., 2B.
Newcomers: Melissa Anderson, so., 3B; Andrea Cumberland, so., CF; Beth Daniels, jr., 2B; Michele Dieter, jr., 1B; Rebecca Williams, so., P; Dawn Hale, jr., SS; Heather McGreevy, jr., LF; Kristin Murk, so., P; Carolyn Scinto, jr., LF; Tracy Sanger, jr., RF; Rachel Tanchuk, jr., RF/C; Laura Taylor, jr., RF.
Coach's outlook: "We have a very hard-working group of young ladies learning to play good ball together. That's our strong point. The other strong point isI have some good hitters. Unfortunately, good hitting needs good pitching. I would say both my pitchers are at a beginning level."
Harford County Sun's outlook: The Hawks have one of the most powerful batting orders in the league. Bruno, Hale, Cumberland and Tanchuk are smart batters who can hit with plenty of punch. They will have to score a lot of runs to keep the Hawks in most of their games, because theopposition will hit pitchers Murk and Williams. Bray, a former Fallston coach, will split the mound time between Murk and Williams to give both youngsters varsity experience. Both have pretty good control and are working to increase their speed. In Wednesday's season opener,the Hawks beat Mount Hebron, 12-6. If they can continue to score a lot of runs, the Hawks have a chance to match last year's record. If not, their inexperience on the mound and in the field could spell trouble.