Five teams to watch in high school softball

A look at five teams from Eastern Iowa to pay attention to as the high school softball season gets underway.

CEDAR RAPIDS JEFFERSON

Coach: Larry Niemeyer (50th year, 1,987-408).

2009 record: 29-8.

2009 postseason: Advanced to state tournament. Finished 8th in Class 4A.

Returning starters (9): P Hannah Petersen (soph.), C Carson Burgart (soph.), 1B Kasey Yoder (sr.), 2B Brittany Madsen (sr.), 3B Alex Jacobson (sr.), SS Morgan Allee (sr.), CF Ashley Madsen (jr.), RF/P Katie Naber (jr.), DH/3B Hannah McInerney (soph.).

CEDAR RAPIDS XAVIER

Coach: Brian Erbe (8th year 195-95).

2009 record: 28-10.

2009 postseason: Lost to Cedar Rapids Kennedy in Class 4A regional semifinals.

Returning starters (7): P/RF Jenny Drahozal (sr.), 1B/RF Shelby Woods (sr.), 1B Emily Steepleton (sr.), C McKenna Miller (sr.), 3B Abby Bedard (jr.), 2B Kristen Winter (jr.), SS Tyler Sampson (jr.).

CLEAR CREEK AMANA

Coach: Jim White (16th year, 684-107).

2009 record: 45-0.

2009 postseason: Class 3A state champion.

Returning starters (4): 3B Katy Sexton (sr.), 2B Caitlin Wnek (soph.), OF Tara Walls (fr.), DH Maliah Fligg (fr.).

MOUNT VERNON

Coach: Gary Stamp (485-339).

2009 record: 36-10.

2009 postseason: Advanced to state tournament. Finished 6th in Class 3A.

Returning starters (8): P Emily Stoner (sr.), P/LF Kylea Weber (jr.), C Micah Wieditz (jr.), SS Karly Cochrane (sr.), 3B Becca Lowe (sr.), CF Sarah Ryan (jr.), RF Michaela Martin (fr.), DH Megan Cannon (sr.).

WEST DELAWARE

Coach: Kevin Schuchmann (8th year at West Delaware, 669-376 overall).

2009 record: 30-12.

2009 postseason: Advanced to Class 3A regional semifinals. Lost to Dubuque Wahlert.

Returning starters (9): P Jenna Hermsen (jr.), C Abby Flannagan (sr.), IF Allison Pasker (jr.), UT Holly Heims (jr.), IF Jessica McDonald (jr.), OF Autumn Reeder (soph.), P Laurynn Lammers (jr.), UT Kim Hood (soph.), OF McKenzie Harbaugh (soph.).