AnnArbor.com’s series of spring sports previews continues with a look at Washtenaw County softball teams:

Lani Ernst (sr., SS), Milan: Ernst is the lone senior back from last year’s Huron League championship team. The University of Toledo commit will be called on to lead the Big Reds in the field and from the plate.

Emily Oullete (sr., OF), Saline: Oullete’s junior campaign was the only one in which Saline didn’t make it to at least the state quarterfinals. Look for the career .500 hitter to improve upon that this season.

Ashleigh Rodriguez-Bertz (sr., C), Pioneer: A four-year starter for the Pioneers, Rodriguez-Bertz will be a coach on the filed and her bat will be vital to the Pioneers’ success.

Jenny Stautz, (sr., P), Manchester: Stautz hit .477 with five home runs and was Manchester’s pitching ace as a junior. Stautz’s first half of the year may be slow as she isn’t quite 100 percent, but look for her to return to form by playoff time.

CHELSEA BULLDOGS Just five games above .500 and with double-digit losses, longtime assistant Bob Moffett’s first season as head coach was a down year by Chelsea standards. He hopes returning eight of nine starters, plus adding a pitcher/infielder in Dexter transfer Taylor Hansen, can get Chelsea back to the days of 2002-03, when the Bulldogs won back-to-back state titles.

Coach: Bob Moffett (2nd year). Last season: 22-17. Key returners: Kaley Dixon (sr., P), Sara Dixon (sr., C), Shelby Platt (sr., 3B), Allyssa Prokos (sr., 1B), Ally Smith (so., CF), Ellie Stoffer (jr., SS), Marie Zill (jr., 2B). Key newcomers: Paige Erikson (jr., OF), Taylor Hansen (so., P/IF), Devin Trester (sr., OF). Strength: Pitching depth and speed. Weakness: Lack of confidence. Outlook: Visions of 2002-03 is a bit presumptuous, but with all its experience returning, Chelsea should be improved. Coach Bob Moffett says: “I think we’re going to bat pretty well one through nine and this is the fastest team we’ve had at Chelsea in a while.”

DEXTER DREADNAUGHTS Dexter had a down year, but returns almost its entire team. The experience should help them improve where they hurt most: Consistency.

Coach: Kathy Day (3rd year). Last season: Went 10-23 and lost to Pioneer in a Division 1 district final. Key returners: Taylor Aeschliman (jr., P/1B), Serena Bidwell (jr., SS/CF), Chelsea Brauning (sr., OF), Karley Crawford (jr., P/1B), Chelsea Lund (jr., IF), Elly Mioduszewski (sr., C/3B), Maddie Scafasci (jr., 2B/OF), Lauren Schoof (jr., IF). Key newcomers: Caitlyn Molloy (jr., OF), Allison Sharrar (jr., OF), Megan Sweetland (so., UT), Kasey Swoverland (jr., 1B/OF). Strength: Team cohesiveness. Weakness: On-field communication and positive attitude. Outlook: A couple years together, albeit tough ones, should help the team be more consistent. Coach Kathy Day says: “We have high expectations for ourselves and we want our new scoreboard to be showing Dexter victorious more often.”

FATHER GABRIEL RICHARD FIGHTING IRISH The Fighting Irish lost a big bat (.410 avg.) and an All-Catholic League arm (2.50 ERA) with the graduation of Bethany Morrill. While Morrill’s departure was expected, losing Kathleen Myer - who started in the outfield and hit .375 as a sophomore, but now lives in Florida - was not. The Irish, who were mercied by Lincoln in their first two contests, will be young. Coach David Seageren expects to start three freshmen.

Coach: David Seageren (4th year). Last season: Went 12-25 and finished fifth in their Catholic League division. Key returners: Amia Ribotis (sr., SS), Erin Russ (sr., 3B), Shannon Timm (jr., P). Key newcomers: Natalie Alex (fr., 2B), Rebecca Bryson (fr., OF/P), Mackenna Fahlman (fr., OF). Strength: Defense. Weakness: Patience at the plate and situational hitting. Outlook: The young Irish will need to grow up quick if they hope to reach their goal of reaching the Catholic League C-D Division final. Coach David Seageren says: “We are a young team without much experience but a lot of enthusiasm and determination.”

GREENHILLS GRYPHONS Before the first practice of the spring, exactly zero girls on Greenhills had ever pitched. The season opener only added three innings of experience to the dugout before the contest was called due to the mercy rule. The mound isn’t the only place the Gryphons lack experience as seven starters graduated last year.

Coach: Lisa Hogan (4th year). Last season: Had a below .500 regular season and lost in the first round of districts. Key returners: Haley Schreier (jr., 3B), Lauren Zanger (jr., C). Key newcomers: Sahar Matloub (jr., CF), Viggy Parr (jr., P), Jaqui Spears (jr., SS). Strength: Athleticism. Weakness: Pitching. Outlook: No experience from the mound and little anywhere else could make wins hard to come by. Coach Lisa Hogan says: “As of right now don’t have a true pitcher. I have a lot of athletic girls who will take turns.”

HURON RIVER RATS The Huron athletic department got a two-for-one bargain with the hiring of softball head coach Jay Jondro. Jondro - an assistant for the football team - is a member of the Michigan High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame and has quite the softball resume, as well. In seven years at Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, he compiled a 198-32 record before taking over at Hillsdale College for seven years. Jondro has his work cut out for him as he takes over for a Huron squad that went 4-28 last year.

Coach: Jay Jondro (1st year). Last season: Went 4-28 and finished in the basement of the SEC Red. Key returners: Kristy Arbour (sr., SS/P), Mia Kanzawa (sr., 2B/SS), Emily Kent (jr., P/C). Key newcomers: Too early to tell. Strength: Work ethic. Weakness: Learning a new system. Outlook: Rome (or its softball team) wasn’t built in a day, but Huron has enough athletes to make a quick turnaround possible. Coach Jay Jondro says: “I could not be happier with their practice efforts. If a will-to-win plays into the mix, we should surprise a few people.”

LINCOLN RAILSPLITTERS Second-year coach Wes Strickland had his entire team switch swings from linear to rotational. Strickland says the hitting style puts the heart of the bat in the strike zone longer and stronger and the girls have been in batting cages all winter perfecting the style. Most of Lincoln’s young team has varsity experience and Strickland said freshman Arriell Mathews has what it takes to be a standout in centerfield and as a leadoff hitter for years to come.

Coach: Wes Strickland (2nd year). Last season: Won more games than in previous three seasons combined. Key returners: Danielly Lauth (sr., SS), Gina LePenta (jr., 2B), Devin Wilson (sr., P), Riki Scherat (jr., C). Key newcomers: Arriel Mathews (fr., CF), Hannah Price (fr., P). Strength: Defense, pitching and new hitting approach. Weakness: Base running. Outlook: With a full team back from last year and the addition of dynamo freshman Arriel Mathews, the Railsplitters could surprise some SEC opponents. Coach Wes Strickland says: “Last year I went with a young team. Any freshman or sophomore with talent came up and we’ll start to see the rewards from that this year.”

MANCHESTER LADY DUTCH Manchester athletic director Wes Gall steps into the dugout for his 13th season on the bench for Manchester, the second in this stint. Manchester has eight players returning from last year’s regional finalist squad, but its ace and a .477 hitter, Jenny Stautz, isn’t at full strength after tearing her ACL during volleyball season. Junior Chelsea Barker will be the primary starter until Stautz’s knee and confidence are back to 100 percent.

Coach: Wes Gall (2nd year). Last season: Went 24-15, finished second in the Cascades Conference, were district champs and lost in regional final. Key returners: Amanda Barker (sr., 2B), Emily Johnson (sr., CF), Nicole Jackson (so., OF/C/P), Kristen Lewis (jr., 1B), Taylor Parks (jr., SS), Roxanne Rickert (sr., 3B), Jordan Ridenour (sr., C), Jenny Stautz (sr., P). Key newcomers: Chelsea Barker (jr., P), Sara Fielder (jr, OF), Kelci Keller (jr., UT), Gabby Withrow (jr., 1B). Strength: Power hitting. Weakness: Adjusting to off-speed pitching. Outlook: If Stautz can return to full strength by playoff time, Manchester could make another deep run. Coach Wes Gall says: “(Stautz’s) location is still a little off, but I think as we go through the year she’ll gain that. Strength and speed is almost back and she just needs to get comfortable at the plate.”

MILAN BIG REDS Milan lost All-State catcher Ashley Beal from last year’s Huron League championship team to graduation. Also gone is Ann Arbor News coach of the year Lisa Jackson, who is replaced by former University of Michigan outfielder (1988-92) Stacy Heams. She hopes to instill the team-first mentality legendary Wolverine coach Carol Hutchins taught her years ago. “It didn’t matter if you sat on the bench all the time and just got to run, everyone was a part of the team … Everybody here has a job and they are on the team for a reason. They have to be a team, all together in this.”

Coach: Stacy Heams (1st year). Last season: Went 27-7 and won first-ever Huron League title. Key returners: Nena Doran (jr., 3B/2B), Lani Ernst (sr., SS), Vanessa Garcia (jr., 3B), Krista Hoevermeyer (jr., C/OF), Kat Hoffman (jr., P). Key newcomers: Cheyenne Brierley (so., P/OF), Courtney Brothers (so., IF/OF), Dray Garrett (so., C), Kirsten Plasters (so., IF/OF), Kaitlin Mitchell (Check Monroe news), MacKenzie Quin (so., UT). Strength: Strong arms in the infield and in the outfield, and speed on the base paths. Weakness: Communication. Outlook: Losing two All-State players and a coach will likely mean a step back record-wise, but the cupboard is far from dry in Milan. The Big Reds have what it takes to defend their Huron League title. Coach Stacy Heams says: “We have a very talented team. The athletics is there, it’s all going to be about gelling as a team.”

PIONEER PIONEERS The Pioneers graduated four-year ace Katie Martin who was an All-State selection, Miss Softball candidtate and the Ann Arbor News player of the year on last year’s district championship squad. Senior Kelly Weir split games with Martin last year and has been groomed for a seamless transition to the top of the rotation, but the question is who will take over for Weir as a solid number two option?

Coach: Elissa Brode (5th year). Last season: District champions. Key returners: Ashleigh Rodriguez-Bertz (sr., C), Carly Carn-Saferstein (sr., 2B), Madi Clark (sr., ss), Rachel Mann (sr., CF), Megan Mosher, Kelly Weir (sr., P). Key newcomers: Alex Bradburn (jr.,IF), Julia Franceschi (so, LF), April Hedwick (jr., P/3B). Strength: Seven returning seniors. Weakness: Filling second pitcher spot. Outlook: Even a team with seven seniors will be hard pressed to replace a player like Martin. Coach Elissa Brode says: “With seven seniors, they know the program and it’s like we never left. Everyone knows the deal and we have a ton of leadership and experience.”

SALINE HORNETS The departure of coach Dawn Whitford brings Alicia Seegert back to the bench for Saline for her seventh season at the helm, first in this stint. After making it to the state finals in 2008 and the quarterfinals in 2007, Seegert hopes last season’s early district oust was a hiccup.

Coach: Alicia Seegert (1st year). Last season: Were just over .500, finished in the middle of the SEC pack and had an early exit from districts. Key returners: Kayla Brophy (sr., P), Emily Oulette (sr., OF), Kaitlin Ward (sr., OF). Key newcomers: Amy Jevle (jr., UT), Sarah Tommelien (jr., C), Kristiana Zalewski (fr., P). Strength: Worked hard at conditioning and strength training in offseason. Weakness: Only three returning starters. Outlook: With only three returning starters, it could be a tough year. Coach Alicia Seegert says: “Our focus is on back-to-basics, learning the game together and going out there and having fun.”

SKYLINE EAGLES Skyline’s second year as a program will be a considerable step up from its inaugural campaign as a freshman/JV squad in 2009. The Eagles will play a full SEC schedule (games won’t count towards standings) and compete in the Division 2 district tournament.

Coach: Stephanie Coleman (2nd year). Last season: Went 12-15 with all JV/freshman schedule and lost in first round of districts to Whitmore Lake. Key returners: Tyler Marone (so., SS), Grace Pritula (so., C/CF). Key newcomers: Allison Young (fr., C/2B). Strength: Familiarity. Skyline has its entire team back from last year. Weakness: The Skyline M.O.: Youth and inexperience. Outlook: The strong SEC may chew up the young Eagles, but they’ll be better for it in the long run. Coach Stephanie Coleman says: “It’s going to be a difficult year, but any experience we gain is only going to help us when we become a full strength school.”

WHITMORE LAKE TROJANS Last year’s team only won three games and many of the girls played on Whitmore Lake’s winless basketball team this winter. Coach Patti Kobeck says the girls need to be taught that they can win just as much - if not more - than the fundamentals of the game.

Coach: Patti Kobeck (7th year). Last season: Went 3-30 and finished last in the Tri-County Conference. Key returners: Shelby Alexa (sr., CF), Rachel Curts (sr., P/SS), Kelsey Searer (sr., C). Key newcomers: Alex Lawson (jr., C). Strength: With only 12 girls on the team, everyone will get a lot of playing time. Weakness: Depth and overcoming a losing mentatlity. Outlook: It may be another tough season for the Trojans. Coach Patti Kobeck says: “Overcoming last year’s record and basketball has drained them. It’s tough to get kids to believe they can win.”

WILLOW RUN FLYERS Coach Duane Edwards only has a single starter returning from last year’s Mega Gold Conference championship team. Without a JV squad, and low numbers in general, five freshman and four sophomores will be on the varsity roster, but an experienced pitcher will not be.

Coach: Duane Edwards (12th year). Last season: Went 20-10 won the since dissolved Mega Gold Conference. Key returner: Emmalee McCurdy (sr., 1B). Key newcomers: Cadiana Gustafson (C, sr.), Katie Mullins (jr., CF/P), Elisia Ratcliff (so., 3B), Taylor Shaffee (fr., OF), Jena Jenkins (fr., SS), Kayla Warden (fr., P/3B/DP). Strength: Defense. Weakness: Offense and pitching. Outlook: Offense and pitching are pretty integral pieces to the softball puzzle, so the Flyers may have a long season ahead. Coach Duane Edwards says: “We’re trying to match up learning some fundamentals with pushing ourselves against tough opponents.”

YPSILANTI PHOENIX The newest members of the SEC, Ypsilanti may as well be going from JV to varsity. That’s how big the discrepancy is between competition in the Mega compared to the SEC. First-year head coach Pam Ossenheimer thinks her girls are up to the challenge. “They’re ready to go, ambitious and hard working as a team. They’re not going to back down from anybody and aren’t scared. Maybe they should be, but they just take the approach let’s play whoever is out there.”

Coach: Pam Ossenheimer (1st year). Last season: Went 16-18 and tied for third in the Mega. Key returners: Emily Bearman (so., P), Amber Frye (so., 2B), Enya Moran (sr., CF), Megan Osborne (jr., OF/IF), Emma Swanson (so., C/P). Key newcomers: Megan Winkelfest (fr., P/SS). Strength: Fearlessness. Weakness: A lot of players will be playing new positions this year. Outlook: According to the mathematics of high school softball, middle of the Mega equals bottom of the SEC. The Phoenix will have their work cut out for them with the likes Tecumseh, Saline, Dexter, Chelsea, Bedford, etc. on their schedule. Coach Pam Ossenheimer says: “There’s a lot of tough teams in the SEC, it’s a strong league, but I think we’ll fare pretty well.”