Pitching is the name of the game in softball.

And this season, eight area teams will be returning experienced hurlers to the circle.

One of the clubs without its starter back is Northern Lehigh, who gained the area’s only championship a year ago by winning the Colonial League title.

Below are preview capsules on all 10 teams from the Times News area:

JIM THORPE

BIG NUMBERS

… This is one of the biggest turnouts in school history for the Olympians softball program. Thorpe will have 26-29 total players between varsity and junior varsity. Interest is high in the Olympians softball program. “With the amount of numbers we have, I think we can really improve. Now, with two full teams, we won’t have girls double-dressing, and we can really have girls focusing on getting better with one team and their teammates. I think that will help us out a lot,” said Jim Thorpe head coach Lori Lienhard.

IMPACT PLAYERS

… Thorpe is a young team, and will be depend on a lot of young talent to get them through on the heels of a winless 2018 campaign. Nadya Solomon, Skyler Searfoss, Jada Mahmde, Kristin Pompa, Kaitlyn Day, Trista Gehris, and Carsen Rosenberger are all underclassmen. Junior Christy McLean is an upperclassman who is expected to provide leadership and make an impact. “I think even though we’re young, this group can be a good offensive team. I think we have the speed to be aggressive and attack in baserunning. Look for us to be more aggressive this season,” said Lienhard.

SOPHOMORE DUO

… Pitching is paramount in softball, and Thorpe will be looking to two sophomores to handle the throwing duties. Day and Gehris will be the main contributors from the circle this season.

LEHIGHTON

TRIBE RETURNEES

… Senior Heidi Greene (3B) returns for her final season, while juniors Cierra Kunkle (P/INF), Samantha Gruber (P/OF), Alexis Scott (1B/OF) and Makayla Nothstein (2B/OF) are back for another season. Sophomores Kendra Peterman (OF), Kate Nanovic (Utility) and Becky Serfass (C/OF) also return. Kunkle sat out most of the season last year with an injury, but is healthy and ready for action.

LOOKING TO CONTRIBUTE

… Mykayla Engle (P/OF), Paige Shellhammer (OF), Grace Fitzsimmons (OF), Cheyenne Whiteman (SS/OF), Alyssa Myers (INF), Areriele Searfoss (P/3B) and Emily Binder (C/Utility) are looking to contribute wherever needed.

EXPERIENCE IN THE CIRCLE

… Indians head coach Dave Yob has experience where it is needed most – in the pitching circle, which the second-year coach said is the team’s strength. The Indians return three seasoned arms in Gruber, Kunkle and Engle. “Gruber threw the bulk of the innings last year due to an injury to Kunkle,” Yob said. “Kunkle is now healthy, and is throwing harder than ever. Engle returns to the team after a year away, and hasn’t missed a beat during workouts. Searfoss (a freshman) shows great promise for the future.”

NUMBERS

… Serving as an assistant, and then being in charge last year, Yob has witnessed several Indians continue to increase their offensive numbers. He expects nothing different this season. “Most of the returning team members improved their offensive stats from the year before,” Yob said. “Greene is the team’s top returning hitter. Serfass will again be counted on to set the table for the offense. They have been very open to our suggestions, and there is no reason why further improvements can’t happen.”

EYE ON TURNAROUND

… Yob has faith his Indians can reverse last year’s 7-13 overall (5-9 Schuylkill League) record, and the team has every intention to do that. “Making districts is entirely possible,” Yob said. “With a break here and there, an appearance in the league playoffs could take place. It is a great bunch of young ladies who have shown a positive attitude so far.”

MARIAN

RETURNING STARTERS

… The Fillies, coming off an 11-10 campaign, are expected to break through this season with seven of nine starters returning. The Fillies lost just two seniors. Returnees who are expected to make an impact include Lindsay Reinoehl, Emily Shaud, Mia Nemeth, Lacy Blasko, Jade Ritsick and Macy Alansky. Athena Matenkoski, along with freshmen Eden Arnold and Jackie Possessky, are also expected to see time. “We had a real good offseason, a dedicated offseason where we had 8-10 players consistently working out. With seven of nine starters coming back and with us dropping down from 3A to 2A, our goal is to make some noise in the postseason. We definitely want to make a run at the district championship,” said Marian head coach Kyle Faust.

ACE IN THE HOLE

… The Fillies ace from the circle returns in Reinoehl, who started all 21 games for Marian last season. Reinoehl also led the team in the hitting department, batting over .400.

BEING PATIENT

… Mistakes, and not being patient at times at the plate, are what plagued the Fillies at times last season. Reinoehl is expected to keep the opposition’s scoring down in most games, so it’s up to the Fillies offense to produce runs. “We just need to be more patient at the plate and wait for our pitches to hit; it will be key for us to get good run support in each and every game,” said Faust.

NORTHERN LEHIGH

TARGET ON THEIR BACK

… The Bulldogs are well aware that everyone in the Colonial League will be chasing them after Northern Lehigh won the CL title a year ago. The Bulldogs knocked off Salisbury in the final to collect their third Colonial crown (2018, 2010, 1995). The Bulldogs finished 19-5 overall (14-4 CL) and lost to North Schuylkill in the District 11 semifinals.

BULLDOG PRIDE

… Last year, Kate Farber served as a volunteer assistant under head coach Bob Hicks. A year later, Farber is now leading the same program she played varsity ball for back in high school. “Being back and being in charge of the program, I still feel like some days it feels real and sometimes it doesn’t,” Farber said. “I tell the girls all the time, ‘I put every ounce of blood, sweat and tears into Bulldogs’ softball.’ And now to be in charge of that same program, it’s so surreal. I don’t think it’s hit me quite yet.”

CONTINUING EXCELLENCE

… Senior Katie Yesik (OF), as well as juniors Lauren Hoffman (INF), Alicia Horn (P/INF), Paige Hude (OF), Maddie Peters (INF), Brianna Schuck (C/INF) and Shyanna Williams (INF), are back and ready to defend their title and represent their school with pride. The team is very focused, driven, and athletic. “The team is striving to continue to be competitive within the league,” Farber said. “We are emphasizing better performance in district play. We take pride in our small school, and set high expectations to match those of the history of our program.”

BATTERY DECHARGED A BIT

… The Bulldogs are without their battery from last season. Pitcher Kaitlin Hoffman and catcher Olivia Toth (who started the season in left field before transitioning smoothly into a new position) will be greatly missed. Hoffman had 444 career strikeouts in the circle, along with 140 career hits in the batter’s box. Now, she is playing Division 1 ball at Fairfield University.

PLENTY OF OPTIONS

… Farber said her players can play anywhere on the field. “Our team has the ability to play multiple positions,” Farber said. “What we lack in numbers, we make up for in versatility.”

NORTHWESTERN

YOUTH WILL BE SERVED

... This year’s roster has just two seniors and two juniors among the players to open the season. Of the other players, five are sophomores and four are freshmen. Senior pitcher Emily Akelaitis and senior first baseman Ashley Sisco should provide enough leadership on and off the field for the Tigers this season. Head coach Josh Zimmerman believes that Akelaitis is one of the better pitchers in the Colonial League, especially if they can get her more run support than they did in the past. As for Sisco, who led the team with 17 RBIs last season, Zimmerman lauded her ability to keep the players loose, but still get them focused when it’s time to get down to business.

FOND OF THE FRESHMEN

... Zimmerman doesn’t believe that having such a young roster is going to be a detriment because of the quality of the young players who will be making their varsity debuts this season for Northwestern. “This is the best group of freshmen that I’ve had in my tenure at Northwestern,” said Zimmerman. “Both hitting the ball and making the right plays, having the instincts, they’ve been doing very well. As for coming together as a team, they’ve done really well early on, and I couldn’t be happier with how far they’ve come in such a short amount of time.”

WHERE THE RUNS COME FROM

... In addition to having Sisco back, Zimmerman also has Molly Mitman (11 RBIs) and Akelaitis (10 RBIs), who held three of the top four RBI totals for the team last season. Catcher Anna Akelaitis, a junior, had two home runs and nine RBIs last season, tying for the team lead in homers with Sisco.

TIRED OF TAMAQUA

... No matter what happens this season, one thing if for sure. The Tigers are tired of facing Tamaqua in the first round of districts. In each of the past two seasons, the Blue Raiders have eliminated Northwestern in the first round of districts. On the other hand, it would be nice to dish out some revenge, and Zimmerman believes his team will be district-bound again this season. “I would say I’m 100 percent happier with where we are right now compared to a year ago. There were always a couple of holes that we had in our lineup in the past, but this is probably the most complete team, top to bottom, that we’ve had,” Zimmerman said.

PALMERTON

MOVING ON

… Several members of last year’s 14-9 squad (11-7 Colonial League) have graduated, including Avery Neipert (SS/2B), Paige Frantz (CF), Lindsay Shimko (OF/2B), Madison Wenig (OF), Sadie Heiney (2B) and Brianna Driscoll (OF/3B).

READY FOR FLIGHT

… The Bombers return a talented core of players. Those players ready to complete some unfinished business from last season include seniors Paige Shupp, (P/OF), Amanda Lalik (3B/OF), Baylee Guedes (SS/3B), Allyssa Frantz (C), Madison Finley (OF/2B), Payton Lesher (3B) and Sierra Behler (1B/P); juniors Kailah Altemore (1B/P/3B), Lexi Merkel (P/1B), and Breanna Hartranft (C/INF/OF); and sophomores Megan Green (C/1B), Emily Baumgardt (SS/2B/OF), Yessie Olewine (2B/SS) and Megan Serfass (P/OF). “They still feel the disappointment of that loss (in last year’s Colonial League semifinal to Northern Lehigh) and are committed to working hard to improve on those results,” Bomber head coach Bob Hock said. “With a great mix of senior talent and leadership, along with a group of varsity experienced underclassmen, they are all excited to get the season underway.”

CALL TO ARMS

… Hock has plenty of pitching options this season, as all five hurlers from last year are back, including Shupp, Merkel, Behler, Altemose and Serfass. “We return all our pitching staff from last year, which showed the ability to keep us in any game with the competition,” Hock said. “I’m looking for even more out of them this year.”

MULTIFACETED

… Many of the Bomber players play more than one position, so Hock has options throughout the course of a game. “Our versatility defensively should give us options, and allow lineup adjustments to accommodate players swinging a hot bat. At this point of preseason practice, we appear to have many girls swinging great bats.”

PANTHER VALLEY

TALENT RICH

… Head coach Candace Olson thinks this year’s Panthers squad is talented, which is a perfect recipe to improve upon their 7-13 record from a year ago. PV returns a host of experienced players in Megan Pascoe, Claire Kokinda and Lydia Malaska. Freshman Brenna Beshock and transfer Katrina Horvath are also expected to make an impact. “I like our team, I think we’re talented, all around I can see our confidence is there. I have a ton of depth, I just need to figure out the best cohesive unit to put on the field. We have the ability, but just have to see where the right pieces fit,” said Olson.

PITCHING DUO

… The Panthers will be rolling with a veteran and a youngster in the circle this season. Pascoe, a junior, returns as a starter from last season and Beshock, a freshman, will be the newcomer to the rotation. “It will be a nice advantage for us to have two pitchers, and both are good in the infield, so we don’t have to sacrifice defense when we switch it up. Both girls are working hard and getting better every day,” said Olson.

IMPROVING

… This marks the fifth season Olson has been at the helm of the Panthers, and she’s seen improvement each year. “Every season you’re seeing us get better and being able to do more and more with the fundamentals and the extra aspects of the game. I think this year, if we just mentally prepare and focus more before each game, we’ll see some more ‘W’s’ in the win column.”

PLEASANT VALLEY

POPPA BEAR

… Steve Caffrey has been the leader of the Bears’ pack for close to the last three decades. Caffrey enters his 26th season as Pleasant Valley’s head coach.

LOOK WHO’S BACK - EVERYONE

… The Bears return all nine starters from last year’s squad. Seniors Janelle Frable and Skyler Jennings are back in the starting rotation. The supporting cast surrounding them includes Lauren Steckel (Sr., C), Madison Rosenberg (Sr., 1B), Morgan Frantz (Sr., 2B), Nichole Hock (Sr., 2B), Meara Hanyon (Sr., SS), Tyler Woltal (Sr., 3B), Cameron Caffrey (Jr., OF) and Riley Wagner (Jr., OF). Alyssa Wagner (Jr., OF/C) will also look to be a contributor for PV.

SEASONED PACK

… Experience is without a doubt an easy pick for Caffrey as his team’s strength. To have experience across the whole field back is a coach’s dream. “We’re returning nine starters from last year’s team with experience,” said Caffrey.

SIGHTS FOR THE FUTURE

… The Bears’ veteran coach has high hopes for the regular season. “We’re looking to have a productive season this year since we’re returning all starters from last year’s team,” said Caffrey. “In addition, there are a few younger players who have the ability to compete for a starting spot, which should make us better as a team.”

EXPECTATIONS SET

… Each season, Caffrey looks to set expectations for his Bears. Last year, the team posted a 9-11 overall record, but still qualified for the district playoffs. This year, the Bears’ head coach set the bar high once again. “We expect to compete for the Mountain Division title,” Caffrey said. “And, we want to be competitive with the rest of the league, and have a positive showing in the district tournament.”

TAMAQUA

MURDERERS’ ROW

… The Blue Raiders, coming off a 17-5 season and a district semifinal loss to Bangor in extra innings, are chomping at the bit to get back on the field this season. One of the reasons why is because of Tamaqua’s own version of Murderers Row. The Raiders return both Jada Schellhammer and Miranda Chinchar, who both hit in the .470-range and combined for 47 RBIs. Chinchar will lead this group, as she already has over 100 hits in her career. Maixine Beers and Jen Frederickson will also help anchor this hitting unit. Look for Lexi Thomas, Bryn Miller and Bryn Clifford to also do some damage at the plate. “We obviously are going to have strong pitching with Jada, but I think hitting can once again be a big strength of ours. We really have some strong bats, and it was encouraging to see the girls hit the ball very well in our most recent scrimmage against Schuylkill Haven,” said Tamaqua head coach Jill Barron.

PITCHING PROWESS

… The Raiders boast one of the most dynamic pitchers in all of District 11 in Schellhammer. A three-year letter winner and two-time All-State selection, Schellhammer is headed to Lock Haven next season. She posted a 17-5 record a season ago, with a 1.08 ERA, 158 strikeouts and just 16 walks. “Jada looks good already. I think she’s got a big weight off her shoulders committing to Lock Haven, so now she can just go out there and pitch and have fun,” said Barron.

PLUGGING IN

… The Blue Raiders are talented, but they do have some holes to fill due to graduation. Tamaqua graduated two of its outfielders, second and third baseman, and its catcher. “We have the players to fill in there, it’s just finding the right fit and then having it all come together. It will take some time to jell, but we’ll keep working hard at it,” said Barron.

WEATHERLY

RETURNING PITCHING

… The Wreckers showed some flashes last season, finishing with an overall record of 7-11. The key to turning some of those losses into wins will be the returning experience in the circle for Weatherly. Hailey Wenner returns to lead the rotation, with Alexis Wilkinson backing her up. “I think our pitching can really keep us in games this season and give us a chance to win. We have two solid pitchers, and I like how we’re looking there. It all has to work together, good pitching paired with good defense,” said Weatherly head coach Will Bartel.

AT THE PLATE

… In the batters’ box, Weatherly will be counting on Cora Chincola to lead that group. Chincola, the returning starter at shortstop, had over 20 hits last season. Sisters Amanda and Alexis Colecio will be back from injury this season and are expected to make an impact with the bat. Katie Graham and Kelly Royer are also expected to help out at the plate.

FIGURING IT OUT

… The Wreckers do have some holes to fill in the outfield, which is creating nice competition early on. “Right now, those two spots are wide open, it will be a work in progress out there, but we have good competition going on to fill those spots. The key for us will be to eliminate mental mistakes and big defensive innings. You can’t have those big innings against the quality of opponents that we play,” said Bartel.