New and improved could be the theme for area softball teams this season, as many of the squads either suffered key graduation losses or are looking for success after struggling a year ago.

Repeated efforts to obtain preview information from Pleasant Valley were unsuccessful.JIM THORPESENIOR DOMINANT... The Olympians will depend on senior leadership to help them post a successful season. Thorpe will be showcasing eight senior players on the field this season in Maggie Holloway, Brittany Marzen, Jada Hoherchak, Jocelyn Day, Leah Detweiler, Jillian Kamieniecki, Lauren Donati, and Caitlin Holt. "We're going to have a senior dominant team this season, and this group has been playing together for a long time," said Thorpe head coach Lori Lienhard. "I think our experience is going to be big for us this season."TEAM DEFENSE... With all the experience returning for the Olympians, defense figures to be a definite strength."I think our girls have great chemistry and awareness on the defensive side of the game because of how long they've been together," said Lienhard. "I think we can really be a solid defensive team on the year."HITTING IMPROVEMENT... The Olympians have been getting better in the hitting department over the last few seasons, but they're still not exactly where Coach Lienhard wants them to be. Lienhard believes that because of Thorpe's experience, it's time to take some more chances this season. "We're going to be more aggressive at the plate this season and with running the bases," said Lienhard. "We need to get our girls in scoring position more often, and sometimes that comes from sending runners more and being more aggressive."LEHIGHTONTEAM SPEED... The Indians have a lot of girls that can run the bases, which means any time they can string together a solid day at the plate there's a good chance they can put some runs on the scoreboard. "I really like our team speed, we're fast and we're athletic," said Lehighon head coach Greg Poremba. "If we can put the ball in play, which I think we have a group that will hit the ball hard and on the ground, we can be pretty successful on the offensive end."SOLID SALERNO... Nicole Salerno is expected to be the leader for the Tribe. Salerno is good with the bat and has played some second base in her career, but she will be taking on the role of full-time catcher this season. Sophomore Heidi Green is also expected to help out Salerno in the hitting department. "Nicole is really good behind the plate, she's quick and very talkative," said Poremba. "She's a good player, and I think her move to catcher will help us out a ton."PITCHING IN... The Indians have several potential pitchers on the squad. Allison Armbruster (Sr.) will handle the majority of the pitching duties this season with Rachel Serfass (Sr.) also helping out when needed. Freshmen Cierra Kunkle and Mykayla Engle are young pitchers on the staff that Poremba hopes to develop as the season goes on.CHEMISTRY... Coach Poremba's biggest concern this season is getting his players to gel in a timely manner. Mother Nature is not always kind during the spring sports season, which Poremba knows doesn't give his squad a lot of on-time field time together before the games begin. "I think we have a lot of talented players, it's just that we have to see how it all comes together," said Poremba. "These girls haven't played together a whole lot, so we just have to see how the pieces fit."MARIANJOY TO THE WORLD... Mackenzie Joy returns for the Fillies after an impressive junior campaign at the plate. Joy also pitched for the Fillies a year ago, but will be returning to catcher this season. Joy will be heading to South Carolina Beufort on an athletic scholarship for softball in the fall. "Mac Joy is going to be our leader this year," said Fillies head coach Joe DeAngelo. "She'll be returning to her more natural position of catcher, which I think will help us out tremedously. She's great back there."YOUNG PITCHING... Coach DeAngelo is able to move Joy back to her strongest position because of his confidence in freshman pitcher Lindsay Reinohl. That move speaks volumes about the potential that DeAngelo believes Reinohl possesses. Reinohl is expected to be a power pitcher for the Fillies this season.CLOSE CALLS... The Fillies lost a total of six games by one run during last season's 6-13 campaign. With a strong nucleus returning, the Fillies believe they can turn that around. "We've been working extremely hard since the fall for this season and I've been around long enough to know that the adversity we endured last season, can possibly help us this year," said DeAngelo. "I think that adversity can pay huge dividends for us. That's what we're working toward."MAKING AN IMPACT... Seniors Miranda Antiga and Karlee Gimeno will join Joy to lead the Fillies. Reese Erbe (Jr.), Toni Galasso (Jr.), Jade Ritsick (So.), Sarah Muntzenberger (So.), Macy Alansky (Fr.), Emily Shaud (Fr.), Abbey Joy (Fr.), Katrina Horvath (Fr.), and Kelsie Kocela (Sr.) are all expected to chip in as well.NORTHERN LEHIGHFAMILIAR FACES... The Bulldogs will bring back a ton of the same personnel from last year. Meghan Handwerk (1B/Sr.), Tiffany Yesik (INF/Sr.), Danielle Hoffman (C/Jr.), Kaitlin Hoffman (P/INF Jr.), Olivia Toff (INF/Jr.), Katie Ziegler (P/INF Jr.), Sagan Schaffer (OF/Jr.), Cayla Novicki (C/OF So.), and Katie Yesik (OF/ So.) will all be returning. "We are looking to improve on last year's record," said Northern Lehigh head coach Robert Hicks (fourth season), whose team was 12-10 overall in 2016. "We are looking to be a competitive team all season long and make the league playoffs. The girls are working hard and have a positive attitude."DOING IT ALL... Kaitlin Hoffman is the reigning 2016 Times News Player of the Year. She hit .627 with five home runs, 27 RBIs, and stole 16 bases last season. She also tossed 49 innings from the mound and had an impressive 1.12 earned run average.WHO'S GONE... Taylor Herman (Colonial League second team), Sage Hargreaves, and Maddie Bellesfield have graduated.REINFORCEMENTS... Looking to come onto the varsity scene are freshmen Lauren Hoffman, Alicia Horn, Paige Hude, Maddie Peters, Brianna Schuck, and Shyanna Williams. "This team has a great work ethic," said Hicks. "A lot of these girls can play multiple positions. They are enthusiastic and ready to go."NORTHWESTERNBIG SHOES TO FILL... The Tigers had two super players graduate last spring. All-league pitcher Lydia Danner has departed. Danner was the team's ace and also was the leadoff hitter. Northwestern will also miss the presence and leadership of Claire O'Dea up the middle at shortstop. Both were integral parts in leading the Tigers to a 13-10 overall record and a District 11 semifinal appearance.ON THE MOUND... Emily Akelatis is penciled in to take over as a primary starting pitcher for the Tigers. "We want hardware around our necks at the end of the season," said Northwestern coach Josh Zimmernan. "We have the team to do it. We just have to win the games we are supposed to on paper, and win a few of those where maybe we aren't favored."THE NEW CORE... The Tigers will bring back seniors Brook Wehr, Avery George, and Jess Badman. Wehr was an all-league and all-area catcher, hitting .421 and led the team in both home runs (six) and RBIs (33). "We've been trying to put the girls in pressure situations during practice," said coach Zimmerman. "We've struggled in close games against big time opponents, it has nothing to do with ability, we know they have it. It has to do with mental toughness, and wanting to be in that situation when the game is on the line."YOUNG SQUAD... The Tigers will have a plethora of newcomers that will have to contribute. Be on the lookout for Anna Akelatis (Fr.), Emily Akelatis (So.), Ashley Sisco (So.), Kayla Mitman (Jr.), Natalie Smith (Jr.), Cassidy Lentz (Jr.), and McKayla Wildrick (Jr.). "I think these girls are hungry," Zimmerman said. "Some of these juniors have been waiting in the wings for their opportunity, and their enthusiasm is evident in the way they conduct themselves at practice."PALMERTONPASSING THE TORCH… The Blue Bombers have graduated a bulk of the nucleus that played in two straight District 11 finals. Palmerton was the D11 champ two years ago. Last year, the Bombers came up short to Pine Grove in the championship after another strong season. Star pitcher Reese Dugan has graduated, along with quality, experienced players in Alyssa Acker, Jordan Boyer, Miranda Bellis, Erika Easton, Shelby Gower, Darion Jacoby, Kendra Pekurny, Trisha Sterling, Ally Krome, and Addison Lesher. "It will be difficult to replace all of that talent," said head coach Bob Hock. "But the incoming young bunch has plenty of talent and enthusiasm."FLEXIBILITY… Every returner and newcomer can play more than one position for the Bombers.COMING BACK… Returning for Palmerton are Alyssa Olewine (Sr.), Avery Neipert (Jr.), Paige Frantz (Jr.), Paige Shupp (So.), and Sadie Heiney (So.). "We must be solid on defene," said Hock. "We need to give our pitchers support."WELCOME… The new Bombers will play a big role as to how successful this team could be. Sam Shupp, Lexi Merkle, Kailah Altemose, Lindsay Shimko, Madison Wnig, Madison Finley, Amanda Lalik, and Baylee Guedes are newcomers to keep an eye out for.LOOKING TO KEEP IT UP… This is Hock's fourth season at the helm of the program. Palmerton was 14-11 overall last year, and Hock owns a 45-28 overall record since taking over.PANTHER VALLEYTHREE AMIGOS... Panther Valley head coach Candace Olson is excited about her pitching staff this season. Brandi Beers (Sr.), Sarah Markovich (Sr.), and Megan Pascoe (Fr.) give the Panthers a three-headed pitching attack that they haven't had in many seasons. "I'm really excited about our pitching this season. We have some real talent there and some depth," said Olson. "With the pitching we have, we can be a competitive team on a game-by-game basis."CONFIDENCE... Olson admitted that her team is playing with a lot more confidence this season, mostly due to the Panthers solid pitching. "I think it's really going to cut down on our errors because I can see the girls being more aggressive and more sure of themselves each and every day," Olson added.POWER PLAYERS... Olson expects the Panthers to pack more of a punch this season from the plate with Kaleyia Polanco (Jr.), Sydney Clouser (Jr.), Robin Krajcir (Jr.), and Chloe Miller (Jr.). Sam Valderrana (Sr.) is also expected to make an impact.IMPROVEMENT... The Panthers are looking to be a more complete team this season with the added improvement in the pitching department and more consistency at the plate. Panther Valley has a good mix of seniors and juniors that if they play with confidence, can surprise some teams this season. "I'm just pumped to see how we do, I feel good about this team, I'm just excited," said Olson. "We were a three-inning team last season, and I want us to become a seven-inning team this season."TAMAQUAPLAYOFF EXPERIENCE... The Raiders qualified for the Schuylkill League playoffs and the District 11 postseason a year ago. That playoff experience will be a vital piece to them repeating those accomplishments this season. Head coach Jill Barron believes that postseason experience will help all her players stay focused on getting back there in 2017."The fact that we made the Schuylkill League playoffs and finished runner up last year will definitely play into our strengths this year," said Barron. "Having that experience under our belts alone will help us a lot."STEPPING UP... The Raiders lost four key players from last season's successful squad, but Barron believes her upperclassmen and a strong nucleus of young players can fill the void. Those players include: Cailyn Joseph (Sr.) Courtney Hoffman (Jr.) Madison Matsago (Jr.), Kaitlyn Stauffenberg (Jr.), Brooke Zellner (Jr.), Miranda Chinchar (So.), and Jada Schellhammer (So.). " We may have lost four great players, but we also have some new and young faces that I believe can step right in and take their place," added Barron.IN THE CIRCLE... Stepping into the circle for the Raiders this season will be a brand new face. Sophomore Jada Schellhammer will be the main arm for Tamaqua as it looks to repeat its postseason run from 2016.BUILDING CHEMISTRY... With all the new faces and upperclassmen taking new leadership roles, this Raiders team has to figure out how to play together. It's surely a team that will mature as the season goes on. Other players to watch are Sabrina Goodroe (Sr.) Taylar Donnon (Jr.) Flo Rios (Jr.), Sierra Szabo (Jr.), Jane Kupchinsky (So.), Alexis Trevorah (So.), Maxine Beers (Fr.), Emma Coccio (Fr.), and Jen Frederickson (Fr.)."Some of the things we will be working on right from the get go is meshing together defensively," said Barron "Some of our new faces will be playing in key positions. We need to be comfortable with and establish trust in one another."WEATHERLYFIRST YEAR... Will Bartel is a name that might sound familiar to the Wrecker faithful, as Bartel is the Weatherly girls soccer coach. But now Bartel, who has played and been around the game of softball for 30-plus years, is stepping in to replace long time and now retired head coach Margaret Brown. Bartel is excited for the opportunity to take over the helm and see what type of influence he can have on the Wreckers program. "I don't play anymore and I love the game, so I knew coaching would get my competitive juices flowing again," said Bartel. "I'm really happy they gave me a shot, and I'm excited for the opportnity."LEADERSHIP... The Wreckers will be counting on their seniors to lead a host of underclassmen this season. The four seniors expected to lead Weatherly in the Schuylkill League are Morgan Gower, Jackie Henry, Sam Kane, and Molly Isom. "I think we have great seniors, girls with experience that are going to be like coaches on the field," said Bartel. "They know the game and have helped a lot with bringing our younger girls along."RETURNING PITCHING... One definite strength this season for the Wreckers will be their pitching. Sam Kane and Molly Isom split time from the pitching circle a year ago, which will be huge in helping the Wreckers stay competitive throughout the season.HELPING OUT... As noted, Weatherly's foursome of seniors are expected to make the most impact, but there are others that will need to step up and step in if the Wreckers want to make a run at the postseason. Shannon Frey (Jr.), the most experienced of the bunch, will play catcher, and is expected to do damage with the bat. Sophomores Alexis Wilkinson and Katie Graham will help out as well. Freshman Corra Chincola and Haley Wenner are also expected to make an impact on the season.