Trio has some big spikes to fill

Glen Burnie, Northeast, Severna Park get new coaches with a familiar look

Softball

Outlook -- The Eagles were hit hard by graduation but have enough talent to make a run at the Howard County title.

12. Mount de Sales

Last year -- 7-12, unranked

Outlook -- The Sailors have a commodity few teams in the IAAM possess - experienced pitching. That should help turn the seven one-run games they lost last season into wins.

13. North County

Last year -- 14-8, No. 13

Outlook -- With a talented trio of sophomore pitchers still finding their way, the Knights will count on strong defense and making things happen with aggressive work at the plate and on the bases.

14. Franklin

Last season -- 15-4, unranked

Outlook -- The Indians, who reached the Class 3A state semifinals last spring, could be the team to beat in Baltimore County, with junior pitcher Jordan Eades leading the way.

15. Century

Last season -- 15-8, unranked

Outlook -- After two straight state semifinal appearances, can this be the year the Knights get over the hump and make the title game?

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Heather Brown

Northeast, pitcher -- The junior, who led the Eagles to the Class 3A state title game last spring, has good velocity, an array of pitches and pinpoint command.

Jessica Butler

Towson Catholic, pitcher -- The hard-throwing sophomore, who has made an oral commitment on a full softball scholarship to Maryland, went 13-1 last season and struck out 216 in 93 innings.

Lauren Gibson

Chesapeake-AA, pitcher -- The do-everything junior led the No. 1 Cougars to the Class 4A state title last season, earning Metro Player of the Year honors after going 18-3 on the mound and batting .471. She tossed a no-hitter in the title game, a 2-0 win over Damascus.

Jessica Grimshaw

Centennial, second base -- The senior All-Metro selection brings versatility, leadership and gifted skills to the Eagles' lineup. Last season, she hit .491 with 11 RBIs and five extra-base hits.

Allison Kuchar

C. Milton Wright, shortstop -- The four-year starter, who is set to play at Hofstra University, hit a team-high .431 for the Mustangs last spring and is equally valuable with the glove.

Nicole Lowenstein

John Carroll, catcher -- Feared at the plate and sturdy behind it, Lowenstein is a four-year starter who helped lead the Patriots to their first IAAM A Conference title game last season. The first-team All-Metro selection hit .432 last spring.

Kourtney Salvarola