Amboy Clippers
Coach: Kelly Whitman (4th season)
2010 record: 19-15
She’s back: Seniors – Lydia Draper, 2B-OF; Katie Nauman, P-1B; Juniors – Carly Dodd, C-2B; Kiara Kaleel, P-1B; Sophomore – Brooke Lovgren, SS-3B
She’s new: Juniors – Laci Barlow, OF; Kara Benhoff, OF; Sam McGuire, OF; Melissa Sloan, 3B-2B; Sophomores – Lauren Akre, OF-P; Kaitlin Appleman, OF-C; Cassey Doege, 2B-OF
Outlook: The Clippers’ prospects would be brightened considerably with a healthy Nauman, an ace pitcher who is not quite 100 percent after aggravating a knee injury in basketball.
AFC Raiders
Coach: Jan Cupp (3rd year)
2010 record: 12-19
She’s back: Seniors – Ashley Case, RF; Kim Mairs, CF; Juniors – Logan Burnette, P; Kristen Dillon, C
She’s new: Juniors – Kourtney Echelbarger, C/OF; Raelene King, DH; Lexi James, 3B/P; Chelsea Osborne, 2B; Sophomore – Sarah Matson, SS/1B; Teresa Scanlan, P/DR; Freshmen – Kayla Colwell; UTL, Lea Koning, UTL; Alex Miller, UTL.
Outlook: The Raiders have solid 1-2 pitching punch from Burnette and James. Some solid defense and key hitting could make AFC a contender.
Bureau Valley Storm
Coach: Brian Humphrey
2010 record: 14-15
She’s back: Seniors – Ali Brokaw, 3B; Laura Brummel, OF; Ana Phillips, CF; Sam Shepard, P/IF; Juniors – Bailey Roberts, C; Taylor Hewitt, SS; Sophomore – Emily Phillips, 2B
She’s new: Sophomores – Susan Brummel, OF; Brandi DeWaele, 1B/P
Outlook: A large contingent of players return from a 2010 team that finished near .500. This could be a breakout year for the Storm.
Dixon Duchesses
Coach: Rick Shroyer (3rd year)
2010 record: 4-24
She’s back: Seniors – Hannah Blackburn, OF; Susie Hicks, P-IF; Hanna Reese, OF; Jess Reynolds, SS-C; Nicole Sollars, P-OF; Junior – Sydney Seggebruch, OF
She’s new: Juniors – Samantha Bay, OF-1B; Katie Dempsey, P-IF; Sophomores – Stevie Hicks, IF-OF; Emily Rains, C; Freshman – Brooke Bailey, IF
Outlook: Hicks and Sollars should be improved in the pitching circle, with Dempsey also lending a hand. The key will be better defense, a sore spot last season.
Eastland Cougars
Coach: Whitney Zumdahl (3rd season)
2010 record: 18-9
She’s back: Seniors – Ashley Larak, SS-2B; Taylor Ruter, C; Juniors – Marissa Harris, P-IF; Katelyn Janssen, OF; Sophomores – Delanie Giedd, 1B; Bailey Lauder, OF; Haley Miller, OF-P; Alex Moutrey, OF; Ashley Nepean, P-2B; Maddie Parker, OF-2B; Bryce Shaner, OF-3B; Hannah Shellhause, C; Carli Snider, OF; Monica Walters, 3B
She’s new: Senior – Heather Strong, OF
Outlook: The Cougars will get a charge from the returning battery of pitcher Marissa Harris and catcher Taylor Ruter. The key to the team’s success may lie with a strong sophomore class.
Erie-Prophetstown
Panthers
Coach: Dan Bond (9th year)
2010 record: 13-16
She’s back: Senior – Kayla Lopez, OF; Juniors – Kassady Hannham, OF; Haily Huizenga, P-OF; Hannah Strike, OF; Kimberly Teats, C
She’s new: Juniors – Heather Bennett, IF; Courtney Braasch, IF-OF; Kim Cimiskey, OF; Lindsey Inskeep, SS; Courtney Morrison, OF; Montana Scuffham, OF; Lizzy Walters, OF; Honesti Winters, 3B; Sophomores – Amanda Bertolozzi, 1B; Jenna Forward, IF-OF; Katelen Temple, 2B-P
Outlook: Huizenga, last year’s No. 2 pitcher behind Graham, takes over in the circle. The offense will be led by Teats, an offensive machine.
Fulton Steamers
Coach: Jen Pepper (4th year)
2010 record: 5-19
She’s back: Seniors – Amber Grant, CF; Lydia Schaver, 3B; Jacquie VanZuiden, IF-OF; Kendra Williams, P-IF; Junior – Jessica Fuglsang, OF; Sophomores – Katherine Wayne, P-IF; Emma Wiemken, C-P
She’s new: Juniors – Kara Ford, IF-OF; Amy Wiersema, IF; Freshman – Jenna Jones, SS
Outlook: The Steamers don’t have a very deep bench, but do have several returning players with a lot of varsity experience – including four-year starters Schaver and Grant.
Milledgeville Missiles
Coach: Sarah Spears (1st year)
2010 record: 23-4
She’s back: Seniors – Alexis DawTyne, 2B; Brianna Herin, SS; Junior – Brandie Gelwicks, OF; Sophomore – Emily Bush, P-1B
She’s new: Juniors – Abbie Gelwicks, utility; Jestine Imel, OF; Brooke Kappes, utility; Jolee Parks, utility; Sophomore – Kelsey Hayen, 3B; Freshmen – Morgan Adolph, IF; Taylor Grenoble, utility; Kayleigh Leddy, 1B; Courtney Swalve, C
She’s gone: Keali Engelkens, Katelyn Grobe, Andrea Herin, Taylor Kent, Haley Knutti, Kelsey LeFevre, Haley Patterson, Megan Patterson, Ashley Wagenknecht, Ashley White
Outlook: Bush will attempt to fill the shoes of Engelkens, one of the area’s most dominant pitchers. The Missiles are on their own this year, as Polo is now in a co-op with Forreston.
Morrison Fillies
Coach: Tammy Deter (17th year)
2010 record: 26-13
She’s back: Seniors – Paula Bush, OF; Marie Deter, 3B-C; Allie Hanson, 3B-C; Danielle Stralow, P-1B; Sam Sumption, OF; Christie Wiersema, P-1B; Junior – Morgan Ammon, 2B-OF; Sophomore – Kaitlyn Finneran, SS
She’s new: Juniors – Tyler Fuller, OF; Lacey Ryan, OF; Brittany Slater, OF; Katelyn Wiebenga, OF; Freshman – Shannon Finneran, OF
Outlook: Wiersema and Stralow are a fearsome 1-2 combination at pitcher, and the offense is as good as ever. The Fillies have the look of a team that could be playing in Peoria later this spring.
Newman Comets
Coach: Rick Turnroth (8th year)
2010 record: 14-16
She’s back: Seniors – Sarah Cesarek, SS-P; Kayla Moore, CF; Brianna Richardson, 1B; Ruby Trujillo, OF; Juniors – Libby Allen, OF; Mary Kate Gassman, LF; Sophomore – Jamie Hurd, IF; Bailey Oetting, C; Laura Turnroth, P
She’s new: Freshmen – Shayla Brown, OF; Mary Alice Oswalt, IF; Stacia Walter, IF-OF
She’s gone: Danika McKenna, Jenna Smith
Outlook: With most of last year’s team returning, the Comets look to be competitive in a tough Three Rivers Conference. A brutal early-season stretch will show them how they stack up, and should prepare them for later in the year.
Oregon Hawks
Coach: Jamie Davison (4th year)
2010 record: 21-11
She’s back: Shayne Kraucanus, jr. OF; Megan LaPage, sr. SS; Angie Lawrence, jr. 3B-C; Ahna Mattingly, sr. CF; Jordan Melville, jr. P
She’s new: Mackenzie Comer, jr. OF; Emma Crandall, fr. P; Bryanna Horn, fr. 2B; Alyssa Marchetti, jr. 1B; Lannon Noble, jr. 1B; Claire Rypkema, jr. OF; Brianna Tourtillot, so. C-OF; Jordan Yount, jr. OF
Outlook: The Hawks have a strong core of returning players, and the new girls are fitting in and finding their roles.
Rock Falls Rockets
Coach: Kris Nunez (5th year)
2010 record: 27-10
She’s back: Seniors – Paige Last, 3B; Vicki Jones, cf; Jessica Raymond, c; Ali Johannsen, if; Juniors – Cheyenne Burnett, 1B; Sophomores – Jordan Giddings, p/ss; Linsey Brown, of; Addesyn Nailor, ss
She’s new: Seniors – Addysyn Folkers, if; Allie DeVries, of; Megan Leaf, util; Jasmyn Kiercyznski, c; Freshman – Paige Reynolds, of
She’s gone: Taylor Byrd, Amanda O’Malley, Ashley Raymond, Kyli Anderson
Outlook: Giddings is a force at the plate, and will take over for Byrd as the No. 1 starting pitcher. She’s far from a solo act, however, as the Rockets return a host of experienced players from 27-win team.
Sterling Golden
Warriors
Coach: Rick Henderson (8th year)
2010 record: 28-8
She’s back: Linsey Delgado, sr. DH; Janae Gallegos, sr. utility; Cassidy Gillihan, so. OF; Mel Hurley, sr. OF; Stephanie Kester, so. P-IF; Ashli King, jr. C; Paige Lobdell, jr. 3B; Angie Minnick, sr. IF-OF; Mackenzie Staples, so. SS
She’s new: Lindsey Campbell, jr. OF; Ashley Heffelfinger, jr. P; Karlie Mellott, fr. P-IF; Jennifer Rahn, so. IF; Gabi Turjillo, so. OF
She’s gone: Jaime Rehmert, Lauren Schneiderbauer
Outlook: A lot of familiar faces will be at new positions for the Golden Warriors, including Kester taking over as the No. 1 pitcher. Sterling’s bats will do a lot of talking in what could be another record-setting year.
West Carroll Thunder
Coach: Don Mathey (5th season)
2010 record: 17-19
She’s back: Seniors – Rachel Allen, OF; Taylor Cole, IF-P; Katy Cook, OF; Kaiti Mathey, IF-OF; Sophi Morhardt, IF-OF; Juniors – Kim Durward, P-IF; Tygan Cole, C-IF
She’s new: Seniors – Kayla Gallup, OF; Ashley Huebner, OF-IF; Dana McCombie, 1B; Kelsey Todd, C-OF; Juniors – Holly Barr, OF; Keri Bartley, OF; Audrey Francke, P-IF; Sophomore – Alison Thulen, P-IF
Outlook: The Thunder return virtually intact from a year ago, so an improvement over last year’s 17 wins is a good possibility.