It appears returning starters are going to define this season’s softball teams in both Class 5A and 4A competition.

Castle View is back for a shot at making the 4A state show a second time in its history, while several Continental League attempt to reload after graduating many of their heavy hitting players from last year.

Arapahoe

Last year, the Warriors had little varsity experience on their roster, but with some learning, the team could show their improvement in 2009.

Coach Victor Fazio, in his sixth year, returns as the Warriors’ coach along with six returning starters from the team’s 6-13 campaign in 2008. Among them is Molly Mullervy, who earned a second-team All-Centennial League nod last year and All-Continental honorable mention the year before.

“After rebuilding last year, we are cautiously optimistic about being competitive,” Fazio said.

Fazio expects Eaglecrest and Cherokee Trail to be the tough Centennial teams this year.

Castle View

Castle View has its work cut out if they are going to improve on last year’s breakout season which took them to the Class 4A state championship quarterfinals after a 19-4 record, district championship and second place finish in the Colorado Springs Metro League. In his second year as head coach, Shawn Wyss returns six starters from last year including senior pitcher Holi Englert, who received first team All-Conference and first-team All-State honors, junior center fielder Laura Trehal and junior short stop Victoria Durkop, both honorable mention All-State and first-team All-Conference, junior third baseman Hali Englert and junior outfield Ashley Stoyka, both first-team All-Conference, and junior catcher Kat Williams.

Also expected to help the Sabercats return to the state dance are sophomore second baseman Michaela Good, sophomore outfielder Kristen Blazek, senior first baseman Amanda Heebner and sophomore first baseman Rebekah Dickey. Senior outfielder Kjellen Jacobson may also have a say on the season.

With there core group of starters returning, and having Lewis-Palmer as the team’s last game of the regular season, the View could set itself up for a league deciding battle between the Cats and LP. Falcon and Widefield will also be tough teams to beat to make that happen, Wyss said.

Chaparral

Chaparral had an impressive run last season, including a 5A state quarterfinals appearance and a 19-5 record. One reason was pitcher Jessica Severinsen, who returns this season as a senior. She went 18-7 last season on the bump including a no hitter. The University of Northern Iowa-bound pitcher received first-team All-Conference and honorable mention All-State honors last year.

The Wolverines, who finished third in the Continental League last season, should remain tough with the help of senior catcher Sarah Knudsen, who earned a second-team All-Conference nod, and first-team All-Conference second baseman Alexa Minch. Junior third baseman and outfielder Jackie Kuspa, who was also earned second team, should also have a say on Chaparral’s success this year.

Chaparral should also have a strong group of sophomores, including second-team All-Conference first baseman Danielle Collins, second-team short stop Caity Pelayo and outfielder Amanda Ferguson.

“We are hoping for a great year,” said Wolverines coach Joe Billelo, in his seventh year at Chaparral.

Douglas County

Entering his fifth year as coach, Brian Stebbins should have plenty to work with among returning starters for Douglas County. As the Huskies have improved consistently over the past four seasons, County finished 2008 with a 14-8 record, fifth place finish in the Continental League and a three-game appearance at regionals.

The core of the Huskies’ leadership this year is senior Katherine Drake who was first team All-Conference last year. Haydn Tabola, also a senior, returns to second base after second-team conference honors. Sophomore Melissa Piggot fills shortstop after honorable mention conference honors her freshman year. Sophomore infielder Sierra Meddlebrooks and outfielder Katie Folven, a senior this year, should keep the roster tight. Renee Craft, in her freshman year, should have an impact at third base and catcher.

“We were hit pretty hard by graduation last year with the loss of Chelsea Blais, Shannon Massine and Kelly Fisher,” Stebbins said. “We are looking to replace the school record holder in career and single season strikeouts. We have four girls vying for the varsity pitching job.”

Englewood

This year’s young, inexperienced Pirate softball team will probably look longingly at last year’s 7-12 overall record compiled by the senior dominated squad with Chelsea Chapman the only returning varsity starter.

“We’ll be young and very inexperienced and very green since many of our girls have never played softball before,” Englewood coach Dave Chapman said. “It does help that several girls played summer softball with the Englewood Youth Sports Association teams so have some field experience.”

Chelsea Chapman, a sophomore, will be the team’s No. 1 pitcher. Englewood also will look to Karlie Corinek, a player who was sidelined most of last season by injury. The coach said in early practices, newcomer Breanna Klipka has looked good and is penciled in as possibly the starting shortstop.

Coach Chapman said another challenging element will be the fact the Pirates are in perhaps the toughest softball league in the state. He noted league teams include defending state champ Wheat Ridge and state runner-up D’Evelyn as well as perennial contenders Evergreen, Conifer and Golden.

Highlands Ranch

In his second year as Highlands Ranch’s softball coach, Jeff Markle lost a few players to graduation who were key to the Falcons program for a few years including Kaitlin York and Kamee Vessey; however, with a core of seniors like pitcher Ashley Evens, infielder Danielle Williams and Alyssa Rico, the large amount of sophomores the team could have to choose from should continue to learn and produce.

Among the pool of sophomores who could return are outfielder Tania Kilcullen, infielder Madeline Lucas, outfielder Sid Guiterrez, catcher Katie Allison and infielder Danielle Friel. Junior infielder Angie Chiarmonte could also return.

Mountain Vista

Returning from a Continental League championship, a 20-4 record and an appearance in the Class 5A state semifinals, Mountain Vista may have graduated its All-State pitcher, but the Golden Eagles’ entire infield and catcher return from last season.

“Some people might overlook us, but I think we are very competitive,” said Vista coach Bret Grammerstorf, in his seventh year.

Among the Eagles’ returning starters is Randi Applehans, first-team All-Conference and honorable mention All-State recipient Lauren Dalton, first-team All-Conference winners Kam Smallwood and Marina Long, as well as second-team All-Conference nod Brooke Healey. Marissa Moller is expected to contribute as Vista’s senior pitcher, and Dani Peper, a junior infielder, should also have a say on the season.

Ponderosa

Ponderosa softball should be circling the wagons around its two main seniors this season in Kyla Wilkinson and catcher Kelly Flynn. Wilkinson, who earned first-team All-Conference honors last season, has consistently been among the team’s top three hitters with a .320 batting percentage by the close of the Mustangs 2008 season.

As far as being a leader, Ponderosa has also had solid senior leadership on the team, but being Wilkinson’s senior year, Ponderosa coach Richard “Toby” Tabola expects her and Flynn to step up.

“They are the two main seniors coming back and a couple other girls who may not be starters,” Tabola said. “This is something [Wilkinson] needs to do. The team needs it. It’s her time.”

ThunderRidge

ThunderRidge may actually be a tougher team next year as this season’s Grizzlies should be heavily loaded with juniors. Among the juniors who could return for a 2009 outing are second baseman Paige Coufal, pitcher and outfielder Renee Del Toro, first baseman Taylor Hebel, short stop Kayla Jurrens and catcher Alexis Shaffer.