Softball 2011: Teams to watch

Eight area softball teams to watch for the 2011 season:

CEDAR RAPIDS JEFFERSON

Coach: Larry Niemeyer (51st year, 2,021-415)

2011 record and postseason: 34-7, Class 4A regional finalist

Returning starters (5): P Hannah Petersen (jr.), P Katie Naber (sr.), C Carson Burgart (jr.), OF Rachel Sedlacek (jr.), OF Hannah McInerney (jr.)

CEDAR RAPIDS XAVIER

Coach: Brian Erbe (9th year, 229-106)

2011 record and postseason: 34-11, 8th place at state in Class 4A

Returning starters (4): 2B Kristen Winter (sr.), 3B Abby Bedard (sr.), SS Tyler Sampson (sr.), RF Jenna Schulte (soph.)

CLEAR CREEK AMANA

Coach: Jim White (17th year, 723-114)

2011 record and postseason: 39-7, 4th place at state in Class 3A

Returning starters (8): P Mariah McKinnon (jr.), C Maddy Beckler (sr.), 1B Maliah Fligg (soph.), 2B Mallory Madsen (fr.), SS Caitlin Wnek (jr.), OF Tara Walls (soph.), OF Fran Strub (jr.), OF Jazmyne Neely (jr.)

IOWA CITY WEST

Coach: Jeff Kelley

2011 record and postseason: 32-10, Class 4A regional finalist

Returning starters (9): P Shelly Stumpff (jr.), P Mackenzie Haight (jr.), C Lauren Larson (soph.), C Michaela Recker (soph.), IF Tatum Klein (jr.), IF Brianna Sturtz (jr.), IF Alise Miller (sr.), OF Danielle Chelf (jr.), OF Molly Leveille (soph.)

JESUP

Coach: John Begley (17th year, 484-274; 5th year at Jesup, 87-76)

2011 record and postseason: 27-18, 8th place at state in Class 2A

Returning starters (6):  P Kelsey Lough (soph.), C Paige Jensen (fr.), 2B Caitlin Weber (jr.), 3B MacKenzie Miller (sr.), LF Nicci Roberts (soph.), CF Kayla Mangrich (sr.).

MID-PRAIRIE

Coach: Justin Lutgen (2nd year, 23-17)

2011 record and postseason: 23-17, 5th place at state in Class 2A

Returning starters (8): P Olivia Lugar (soph.), C Erika Murphy (soph.), 1B Kaitlin Kaalberg (jr.), 2B Emmie Leinen (jr.), SS Mallory McArtor (soph.), CF Mariah Swartzendruber (soph.), RF Felicia Schulty (soph.), DH Rachel Miller (sr.)

MOUNT VERNON

Coach: Gary Stamp (42nd year, 516-353; 5th year at Mount Vernon, 117-60)

2011 record and postseason: 31-14, 4th place at state in Class 2A

Returning starters (6): C Micah Wieditz (sr.), 1B Kylea Weber (sr.), 2B Miranda Chapman (fr.), LF Michaela Martin (soph.), CF Sarah Ryan (sr.), DH Kari Martin (sr.)

WEST DELAWARE

Coach: Kevin Schuchmann (9th year at West Delaware; 702-385 overall)

2011 record and postseason: 33-9, Class 3A regional semifinalist

Returning starters (9): P Laurynn Lammers (sr.), P Jenna Hermsen (sr.), 1B Mikaela Boss (jr.), 1B Jessica McDonald (sr.), 3B Holly Heims (sr.), SS Allison Pasker (sr.), IF Kim Hood (jr.), OF McKenzie Harbaugh (jr.), OF Autumn Reeder (jr.)