1 Chesapeake-AA -- The Cougars won an unprecedented fourth straight Class 4A state championship, then lost seven players to graduation -- including three All-Metro talents. So why isn't coach Dennis Thiele worried? He has two All-Metro selections back, including Player of the Year Jaime Long (.358, 25 runs scored, 8-0), who either will be the No. 1 pitcher or the area's top everyday shortstop. He has four quality pitchers to chose from, plenty of hitting, speed and defense. A fifth title -- and sixth in the last seven years -- is a distinct possibility.
2 Archbishop Spalding -- New coach Linda Taylor says this is "the most talent Spalding has ever put together," which is a bold statement. But it's hard to argue when you look at the roster, which includes All-Metro pitcher Rachel Synowski (12-3, 0.15 ERA), who threw two no-hitters and four one-hitters, and also batted .457. Infielder Crystal Henderson batted .468 as a freshman. The lineup has other heavy hitters, like infielder Kathleen Legg. And like Chesapeake, the Cavaliers are deep in pitching. They also have added incentive of avenging a loss to IND in last year's Catholic League final.
3 Centennial -- Second-team All-Metro pitcher Kim May (16-5, 173 strikeouts) leads an impressive cast of returnees, as the defending Howard County champions hope to return to the state tournament. The biggest hindrance is the loss to graduation of last year's starting catcher, shortstop and center fielder. If the Eagles, who went 19-5 last season, want to compete in another 3A state final, coach Dale Huting will have to fill those voids. At least he can count on second-team All-Metro outfielder Kathy Gallagher (.476, 31 RBI).
4 Severna Park -- The Falcons surprised many coaches in Anne Arundel County last season by winning 15 games and reaching the Class 4A, Region IV final. There are no surprises this year, other than senior Jen Spampinato's decision not to play softball this spring. She was an All-Metro utility player and one of the team's better hitters. But coach Wayne Mook has plenty of talent back, led by sophomore pitcher Christy Huber (7-4), who showed more poise last season than normally found in a freshman, and junior center fielder Melissa Snyder (.400). Big question is
whether offense can overcome the loss of Spampinato and two second-team All-Anne Arundel County infielders.
5 North Carroll -- The Panthers recovered from a 1-3 start to win 13 games and make a fifth consecutive appearance in the state tournament. New coach Rich Harvey has lots to work with. A strong junior class includes pitcher Kandi Lippy and catcher Teresa Mays, who moves from right field. The infield has plenty of depth, giving Harvey numerous options. He has only two seniors, but this is an established contender, even with All-Carroll County outfielder Jenny Baker recovering from a knee injury.
6 Atholton -- The Raiders welcome back first-team All-Metro selection Kim Ruprecht, who led her team with a .380 average, 22 RBI, seven doubles and four triples. She also won 11 games and struck out 145, but needs to improve her control (115 walks). Last year, Atholton went 11-10 and lost to Centennial in the region final, and with so many starters back, it could take the next step and reach the state tournament. Experience is found ** everywhere but behind the plate, where freshman Shannon Eierman gets the nod.
7 Institute of Notre Dame -- The Indians went 14-3 and won the Catholic League championship with an upset of Spalding, but they won't have All-Metro pitcher Christa Engleman this season. Still, coach Sandy Altadonna welcomes back seven starters, including second-team All-Metro shortstop Kristin Ehrman (.457, seven doubles, eight triples, 28 RBI, two errors). In all, nine players return. Much depends on how well new pitcher Lisa Riley fares. If she does well, IND will be a force once again.
8 Glen Burnie -- After narrowly missing the playoffs last year, the Gophers look poised to make another strong run at the post-season. Junior pitchers Samantha Miller (7-2, 1.17 ERA) and Denise Warren (5-3, 1.85) automatically make Glen Burnie a force, and having junior Susan Kroedel (.349) back in center field doesn't hurt either. Other .300-plus hitters are in the lineup, and the defense and team speed are above average.
9 Old Mill -- The Patriots were one of the area's bigger disappointments last year, failing to make the playoffs despite a wealth of talent and experience. Eight players graduated, including pitcher Karen Jacobson, but coach Lori Darnall is excited about the prospects for this season. She has tremendous pitching depth, with returning senior Angie Mihalik and freshmen Jennifer Bernard and Christina Nutile. Senior outfielders Natalie Bell and Lauren Spears are quality hitters. A .. nice mix.
10. Westminster -- The Owls anticipate a breakthrough season after taking the Carroll County championship from North Carroll, but failing to make the playoffs. They have one of the metro area's finest players in senior outfielder Julie Backof (.500, three home runs, five triples), and senior Gina Hughes (.510) -- who is moving to shortstop -- also returns. Coach Kathy Hodgkins is counting on junior Heather Gonzales being a suitable replacement for departed All-Carroll County pitcher Stephanie Harrell, who won 11 games.
11 Glenelg -- Coach Chuck Struhar says his team isn't fancy, but it's talented and fundamentally sound. And it includes All-Metro first baseman Jody Kielman, who led Glenelg in eight offensive categories, including average (.500), doubles (11), triples (five), home runs (three) and RBI (28). She also made just one error. Three other seniors also return to the infield, and pitchers Lyndsay Smyth (10-4) and Emily Kessler (5-2) are back. Last year, the Gladiators went 15-6 and were second behind Centennial for the Howard County championship.
12 Arundel -- The Wildcats have a new coach in Paul Yannuzzi, who led Severna Park to a Class 4A state championship in 1987. He inherits a team that won 13 games and went to the region semifinals. The battery also will be new -- pitcher Traci Koenig and catcher Heather Daffin have graduated -- but otherwise, the squad is intact. Six sophomores, including pitcher Kara Kitchen, will play prominent roles.
13 Dundalk -- Coach Pat Mongan doesn't have any pitching woes, not with sensational junior Katie Marsheck coming back. Last year, she made first-team All-Baltimore County after posting a 0.33 ERA and striking out 127 in 85 innings. Senior outfielder Missy Bafitis also made first-team All-Baltimore County after batting .319. Mongan is aiming for another berth in the state tournament.
14 Perry Hall -- The Gators again will be in the running for the Baltimore County 3A-4A championship with the return of at least six starters. Pitching and defense are strong suits, with senior Beckie Baker returning to the mound. The hitting is questionable, but far from hopeless. The Gators went 13-2 and made the BTC region playoffs last season.
15 Bel Air -- With six senior starters returning, the Bobcats are looking to go beyond last year's 14-4 record and region final appearance. Coach Val Cooper is hesitant to make any predictions, but she has to like their potential. A strong favorite to win the Harford County championship -- they shared it with Edgewood last season -- the Bobcats have a healthy supply of hitting.
Note: The preseason Top 15 was selected by The Baltimore Sun staff. During the season, a panel of area coaches and writers will select the poll each week. It will appear on Mondays.