COACH OF THE YEAR

* Val Cooper, Bel Air -- The Bobcats entered the season ranked No. 15 and filled with hope. The previous year, they had won 14 games, shared the Harford County championship with Edgewood and qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 1987, losing in the regional final. It was time to take the next step, and Cooper made sure they didn't stumble. Bel Air finished the season 19-2 -- including a 16-game winning streak -- and ranked No. 11. Only an unearned run in the ninth inning against Mount Hebron kept the Bobcats from advancing to the 3A state final in their first appearance in the tournament since 1979. "The big difference was the girls," said Cooper, who concluded her eighth season at Bel Air. "They were more mature and I knew -- and they knew -- what they were capable of doing. I like to keep things simple, but with their maturity and experience I was able to go up a notch in teaching them things. With their experience, things should come instinctively. I tell them, 'Don't think, react,' and you can't react if don't have that experience." Cooper also credits assistant coaches Marlene Campbell and Sherry Hruz for the team's development.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

* Jodi Kielman, Glenelg -- Glenelg's athletic department could rename its softball record book "The Jodi Kielman Story," since her name appears throughout the publication. Kielman ended her brilliant three-year career in typical dominating fashion. She launched six home runs and half of her 40 hits went for extra bases, including a school-record six triples. She also set the school mark for RBIs in one season with 38 (she ranks first, second and third in RBIs in Glenelg history). And there's more. She also posted a .615 average, scored 28 runs and stole 24 bases, as the Gladiators claimed the Howard County championship. What more could she have done? "You can't say enough about Jodi," said coach Chuck Struhar. "She's just an absolute 100 percent softball player." That includes defense. She made just three errors in 178 chances at first base. "This year was actually kind of annoying. People weren't pitching me that good," said Kielman, who will attend Catonsville Community College. "I got hit quite a few times, and I walked quite a few times. I just had to be more patient this year and wait for a good pitch." Her career records at Glenelg include most RBIs (96), home runs (12), doubles (27) and triples (14). She ranks in the top three in runs (85), steals (65) and walks (35). Kielman, who will play this summer for Lake Shore, hopes the records "will encourage others to come along and break them."

FIRST TEAM AT A GLANCE

* Kristan Ehrman, IND, Jr., DH -- A second-team All-Metro pick last year, Ehrman came through in a big way for the Indians this spring, leading them in hitting (.452), home runs (five), triples (three) and RBIs (28). Showing a keen eye at the plate, she struck out just twice. "She's a very intelligent player," IND coach Sandy Altadonna said. "She's quiet, but through her silence she's a real tower of strength."

* Amy Finlayson, Bel Air, Sr., pitcher -- Harford County's Player of the Year, Finlayson led Bel Air into the 3A state tournament by going 16-2 with a 0.42 ERA and a metro area-leading 186 strikeouts in 131 innings. She struck out 25 in two regional playoff wins, despite a swollen right ankle. Finlayson also led the Bobcats with a .433 average and knocked in 19 runs. She struck out once all season. She had three of Bel Air's five hits against Mount Hebron in the 3A state semifinals.

* Julie Green, Dulaney, Sr., pitcher -- Green, a left-hander, went 16-2 with a 0.76 ERA and 155 strikeouts to lead Dulaney to the Baltimore County championship. The only blemishes on her record were two one-run losses. Selected as the county's Player of the Year, Green also batted .362 with a .523 on-base percentage. She led the Lions in hits (25) and runs (30) and had five doubles.

* Crystal Henderson, Spalding, Soph., infield -- Henderson led Spalding in hitting for the second straight year, but this time the numbers are even more impressive: a .552 average (32-for-58) with 31 runs, 32 steals and 13 RBIs. She committed just three errors playing both second base and shortstop, as the top-ranked Cavaliers went undefeated and won the Catholic League Tournament.

* Jaime Long, Chesapeake-AA, Sr., infield -- Last year's metro Player of the Year didn't slack off as a senior. She batted .360 (41 hits) with seven doubles, three triples, 15 RBIs and 13 runs. As a part-time pitcher, she won six games and posted a 0.81 ERA, walking five and striking out 54 in 60 innings. And she made just two errors in 54 chances, mostly at shortstop.

* Michelle Manner, Chesapeake-AA, Sr., infield -- Making her second appearance on the All-Metro team, Manner batted .372 using the increasingly popular slap-hitting technique. As the Cougars' leadoff batter, she had 22 hits, scored 15 runs and stole 17 bases. And defensively, she was every bit as good, making just two errors at second base.

* Emily Moore, Howard, Sr., outfield -- Widely regarded as Howard County's best outfielder, Moore made just three errors -- all on throws -- recorded 26 putouts and added a couple of assists. She also led the Lions with a .428 average and added three home runs, five doubles, 17 RBIs and 30 stolen bases.

* Amy Nestor, Hammond, Sr., catcher -- Nestor batted .491 with three doubles, one home run and 27 RBIs. She struck out only twice. But she really made a name for herself defensively, picking off 17 runners -- including four in one game -- and throwing out six trying to steal. "If she's not there, people are going to run rampant on the bases on us," said coach Dave Guetler.

* Carrie Parsons, Spalding, Sr., pitcher -- Parsons blossomed into a tremendous pitcher/hitter this season, going 9-0 and allowing six earned runs in 62 innings (0.96 ERA) while helping ease the loss of Rachel Synowski to a knee injury. Voted the Catholic League's Player of the Year, Parsons struck out 100 and threw two no-hitters and two one-hitters. She also batted .508 (32-for-63) with eight doubles, three triples, two home runs, 33 RBIs and 29 runs.

* Amy Perry, South River, Sr., outfield -- Batting cleanup much of the season, Perry took a .452 average into the 2A state tournament, then singled in South River's only run. She finished with six doubles, six home runs and 38 RBIs, and also played a marvelous center field. "If anything comes anywhere near her, she'll catch it," said coach Corinne Weigand.

* Melissa Snyder, Severna Park, Jr., outfield -- Snyder batted .396 with two doubles, two triples, 11 RBIs and eight steals. One of those triples delivered the run that ended Chesapeake-AA's 49-game winning streak. She didn't commit an error, as her speed and instincts helped to make her "the best center fielder in Anne Arundel County," said coach Wayne Mook.

* Rachel Synowski, Spalding, Sr., utility -- A first-team All-Metro pitcher last year, Synowski contributed on the mound, at shortstop and at designated hitter. She went 5-0 with 48 strikeouts and didn't allow an earned run, but a knee injury forced her to miss four games and put her at DH. She posted a .467 average (21-for-45) with four doubles, two triples, one home run and 16 RBIs.

* Denise Warren, Glen Burnie, Jr., infield -- Anne Arundel County's Player of the Year, Warren batted .459 (28-for-61) with five doubles, two triples, one home run, 21 runs scored, nine RBIs and 17 steals. She had a .609 on- base percentage and a .607 slugging percentage. When she wasn't exhibiting great range and a strong throwing arm at shortstop, Warren was mowing down opposing hitters. She won six games, struck out 57 in 56 innings and allowed just six earned runs (0.75). Opponents batted .133 against her.

PICKING THE TEAM

The 1994 All-Metro softball team was selected by Roch Eric Kubatko after consultation with staff writers and county coaches.

FINAL POLL

No. School ... ... ... ... Record ... ... Pts

1. Spalding .. ... ... ... 18-0 ... .. .. 105

2. Chesapeake-AA ... .. .. 17-3 .. ... .. 98

3. IND ... ... ... ... ... 12-4 .. ... .. 88

4. Atholton .. ... ... ... 17-7 .. ... .. 65

5. Mount Hebron .. ... ... 15-7 .. ... .. 62

6. Glen Burnie ... ... ... 14-6 .. ... .. 58

(tie) Bel Air ... .. .. .. 19-2 .. ... .. 58

8. Severna Park ... ... .. 14-5 .. ... .. 55

9. Centennial ... .. .. .. 15-4 ... .. .. 50

10. Glenelg ... ... ... .. 18-4 ... .. .. 38

11. Old Mill .. ... ... .. 12-6 ... .. .. 35

12. Dulaney ... ... ... .. 16-2 ... .. .. 34

13. Perry Hall .. .. .. .. 14-4 ... .. .. 26

14. Arundel ... ... ... .. 10-8 ... .. .. 24

15. North Carroll .. .. .. 11-7 ... .. .. 21

Others team receiving votes: North County (11-7, 12); Owings Mills (19-4, 9); Westminster (8-10, 6); Northeast (10-8, 4); Patterson (12-7, 1).

Poll members: Mickey Deegan (McDonogh); Dennis Thiele (Chesapeake-AA); Dale Huting (Centennial); Diane Lawton (Western); Lisa Meyer (Owings Mills); Roch Eric Kubatko (Baltimore Sun); Glenn Graham (Baltimore Sun).

THE TEAMS

Player of the Year: Jodi Kielman, Glenelg

Coach of the Year: Val Cooper, Bel Air

First team

Name ... ... ... ... School ... ... ... Year ... ... Position

Amy Finlayson .. ... Bel Air ... ... .. Senior .. .. Pitcher

Julie Green .. .. .. Dulaney ... ... .. Senior .. .. Pitcher

Carrie Parsons .. .. Spalding .. ... .. Senior .. .. Pitcher

Amy Nestor ... .. .. Hammond ... ... .. Senior .. .. Catcher

Crystal Henderson .. Spalding .. ... .. Sophomore .. Infield

Jodi Kielman ... ... Glenelg ... ... .. Senior .. .. Infield

Jaime Long ... .. .. Chesapeake-AA ... Senior ... .. Infield

Michelle Manner ... Chesapeake-AA .. .. Senior .. .. Infield

Denise Warren ... .. Glen Burnie ... .. Junior .. .. Infield

Emily Moore .. .. .. Howard ... ... ... Senior .. .. Outfield

Amy Perry ... ... .. South River .. ... Senior .. .. Outfield

Melissa Snyder .. .. Severna Park .. .. Junior .. .. Outfield

Kristan Ehrman .. .. IND ... ... ... .. Junior .. .. DH

Rachel Synowski ... Spalding ... ... .. Senior .. .. Utility

Second team

Christy Huber .. .. Severna Park ... .. Sophomore .. Pitcher

Jenny Joyce ... ... Mount Hebron ... .. Junior .. .. Pitcher

Lisa Riley .. .. .. IND ... ... ... ... Senior .. .. Pitcher

Kim Aviles .. .. .. Western ... ... ... Junior .. .. Catcher

Teresa Horney .. .. North County .. ... Junior .. .. Catcher

Chrissy Gavin .. .. Atholton ... ... .. Junior .. .. Infield

Amanda Kopchinski ... Old Mill ... ... Senior ... .. Infield

Danielle Rohde ... .. Bel Air .. .. .. Senior ... .. Infield

Nicole Walker ... ... Towson ... .. .. Senior ... .. Infield

Kim Brown ... ... ... Glenelg .. .. .. Junior ... .. Outfield

Lisa Murphy ... .. .. Atholton ... ... Senior ... .. Outfield

Kari Thompson ... ... Spalding ... ... Senior ... .. Outfield

Chris Napora .. .. .. Glen Burnie .. .. Junior .. .. DH

Shannon Noon .. .. .. Arundel ... .. .. Sophomore .. Utility