Softball 2012: Teams to watch

Area teams to watch for the 2012 softball season:

CEDAR RAPIDS JEFFERSON

Coach -- Larry Niemeyer (52nd year, 2,053-423)

2011 record -- 32-8

2011 postseason -- Class 4A regional finalist

Returning starters (9) -- P Hannah Petersen (sr.), 1B Kenna Fry (sr.), 2B Kaitlyn Davidson (jr.), 3B Madison Blietz (soph.), SS Carson Burgart (sr.), LF Rachel Sedlacek (sr.), CF Kailey Drake (sr.), RF Amber Grimm (jr.), DH Maddie Koolbeck (jr.)

CEDAR RAPIDS XAVIER

Coach -- Brian Erbe (10th year, 300-132)

2011 record -- 29-13

2011 postseason -- Class 4A regional semifinalist

Returning starters (8) -- P Erin Drahozal (fr.), P Jacey Wiebold (jr.), C Erica Miller (jr.), 1B Jenna Schulte (jr.), LF Sydney Galligan (jr.), CF Kelsey Kuba-Tresnak (sr.), RF Courtney Colston (soph.), DH Emily Walton (soph.)

CLEAR CREEK AMANA

Coach -- Jim White (18th year, 766-116)

2011 record -- 43-2

2011 postseason -- Class 3A state champion

Returning starters (10) -- CF Fran Strub (sr.), P Mariah McKinnon (sr.), SS Caitlin Wnek (sr.), 1B Maliah Fligg (jr.), 3B Tara Walls (jr.), 2B Mallory Madsen (soph.), LF Jazmyne Neely (sr.), DH Mara Jones (sr.), RF Mallory Neubauer (soph.), C Cassie Downes (sr.)

IOWA CITY REGINA

Coach -- Jon Prottsman (13th year, 308-153; 6th year at Regina, 116-74) 

2011 record -- 31-12

2011 postseason -- Class 2A state champion

Returning starters (6) -- 2B Ciarah Schlader (sr.), 1B Sydnay Lehman (sr.), LF Megan Bonnett (soph.), 3B Jenna Lehman (soph.), DH Olivia Stenger (sr.), RF Gabby Dutchik (soph.)

IOWA CITY WEST

Coach -- Jeff Kelley (5th year at West, 116-50)

2011 record -- 32-10

2011 postseason -- Class 4A regional finalist

Returning starters (10) -- C/UT Michaela Recker (jr.), IF Brianna Sturtz (sr.), P/OF Mackenzie Laux (sr.), 1B/OF Tatum Klein (sr.), 3B/OF Danielle Chelf (sr.), OF Mikaela Morgan (fr.), P/3B Shelly Stumpff (sr.), C/UT Lauren Larson (jr.), OF Morgan Ryan (jr.), P/1B Mackenzie Haight (sr.).

MID-PRAIRIE

Coach -- Justin Lutjen (3rd year, 47-36)

2011 record -- 24-19

2011 postseason -- Class 2A state qualifier, 3rd place

Returning starters (9) -- 2B Emmie Leinen (sr.), 1B Maddie Kaalberg (jr.), DH Hannah Miller (sr.), RF Felicia Schulty (jr.), C Erika Murphy (jr.), SS Mallory McArtor (jr.), CF Mariah Swartzendruber (jr.), P Olivia Lugar (jr.), LF Michelle Erwin (jr.)

SOLON

Coach -- Ben Sorden (2nd year, 34-10)

2011 record -- 34-10

2011 postseason -- Class 3A state qualifier, 8th place

Returning starters (9) -- CF Emily Bransky (sr.), RF Alyssa Rickels (jr.), SS Ali Herdliska (fr.), 3B Kara Misel (jr.), 1B Casey Musgrave (sr.), 2B Mel Breza (sr.), LF Emma Rickels (jr.), SS Rylee Smith (soph.), P Arran Weeces (sr.)

WEST DELAWARE

Coach -- Kevin Schuchmann (26th year, 738-395; 9th year at West Delaware, 303-79)

2011 record -- 37-9

2011 postseason -- Class 3A state qualifier, 7th place

Returning starters (6) -- CF Autumn Reeder (sr.), 1B Mikaela Boss (sr.), RF Mackenzie Harbaugh (sr.), DH Haley Morrison (fr.), 2B Kim Hood (sr.), C Alyssa McDowell (jr.)