So just which is the best softball team in Anne Arundel?

Right now, you can take your pick among six or so teams.

Glen Burnie captured the Class 4A state title last spring with these ingredients: two quality pitchers, mistake-free defense in the postseason, the ability to scratch across runs, and with eight seniors, the experience and confidence they could get the job done under any circumstances.

The latter was most apparent in the team's 4-3 come-from-behind win over county rival Chesapeake in the region playoffs, when Metro Player of the Year Michelle Whelan hit a sharp grounder up the middle to score two in the last of the seventh. The Gophers simply believed it was their year.

"And everyone was dedicated," said Glen Burnie coach Bob Broccolino. "We had girls playing out of position for the best of the team. They did whatever it took to win."

In last season's final Top 15 metro poll, six of the first seven teams were from Anne Arundel County, and seven placed in the top 10. This year should be no different with only Glen Burnie, which ended the season top-ranked, losing a significant amount of talent.

The Gophers tend to reload more than rebuild, but matching last year's status will be difficult with all the returning talent back on other teams.

"We're optimistic, but also realistic. We're not talking state championship just yet, with five or six teams bringing everyone back," said Broccolino, who has much talent from a 13-3 JV.

Chances are the Class 4A state champ will come once again from Anne Arundel County.

At Chesapeake, every position player returns but one, and the Cougars' pitching tandem of junior Erin Taylor and sophomore Katie Nelson has a year of varsity experience.

North County has the most dominating player returning -- All-Metro pitcher Kellie Evans. And it has a solid second starter, senior Amy Balonis, as well as a supporting cast that should be a year better after their experience in the region playoffs.

Severna Park has two-time All-Metro pitcher Amanda Donaldson, a four-year starter, to go with strong defense and an offense that should score more this season. Arundel has eight starters back with pitcher Soraya Grace and catcher Bre Kitchen -- both four-year starters -- leading the way.

Can Taylor and Nelson get it done to take Chesapeake to the state championship level?

Is there enough around Evans at North County?

Can Severna Park and Arundel get through the rigorous East region and then the state tourney with just one proven pitcher?

And where does Glen Burnie, a young, talented group with seemingly no pressure, fit in?

Answers follow later this spring at Randazzo Park.

North County coach Brian Love seems to have the right approach: "We want to go out and be competitive and try to be standing at the end."

In Class 3A, Northeast brings back a ton of talent to make a run for county honors as well as a state crown. The Eagles may have the county's finest one-two pitching punch in Stacy Smith and Deana Benner, but both will be out of the early-season lineup. When both return, the Eagles should be that much stronger for a playoff run.

Archbishop Spalding, which has dominated the Catholic League for a decade, should be at the top again but with a little more company than usual. The Cavaliers have won the last nine regular season championships and eight of the past 10 tournaments.

Last season, they were upset by Mount de Sales, 5-4, in the tournament final. McDonogh also should be strong, with Seton Keough a team to watch.

With All-Metro standout Sabrina Ryals and a strong nucleus returning, the Cavaliers are still the team to beat.

"The talent is there. We have a lot of depth and are playing well together. All the tools are there, it's just a matter of putting it all together on the field," said Spalding coach Linda Taylor.

Pub Date: 3/18/99