CHSAA and private schools softball team previews

KELLENBERG FIREBIRDS

Coach: Ken Conrade

2014 Record: 21-8

Key Players

Katherine Piorkowski P Sr.

Amanda Riveira CF Sr.

Alexa Russell SS Jr.

SEE PHOTOSLI softball players to watch in 2015

Kelly Rasulo 3B/1B Jr.

Kacie Badolato C Jr.

Outlook: Winners of three straight CHSAA state championships. Piorkowski returns to the circle. Speed will put pressure on defenses and Russell, Rasulo, and Riveira will bring runners home.

ST. ANTHONY'S FRIARS

Coach: Mike Massa

2014 Record: 20-3

Key Players

Kim Puzo 3B Sr.

Lexi Reale SS Jr.

Lauren Russel 2B Jr.

Gabby Marcheschi P Sr.

Gabby Puglia 1B Jr.

Outlook: Puzo hits for power, leading the team in RBIs last season, and Reale hits for average and has speed, with a team-high .397 average and 12 stolen bases.

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST COUGARS

Coach: Brianne Herr

2014 Record:Key Players

Taylor Fay SS Sr.

Marissa DeLaurentis CF Sr.

Emily Conway 3B Sr.

Julia Calabro P Jr.

Janine Conway OF/1B/P Jr.

Outlook: Deep lineup, with several who hit for power. Fay sets the table and DeLaurentis is a run producer. Conway has quick hands at third. Calabro has several off-speed pitches.

SACRED HEART SPARTANS

Coach: Theresa Longenecker

2014 Record: 8-8

Key Players

Janae Barracato 3B Soph.

Lauren Williams C Sr.

Claire O'Brien P Soph.

Kayla Fitzpatrick 1B Soph.

Carly Steffen CF Sr.

Outlook: Return 13 of 16 girls, forming a speedy and defensively solid team. Barracato anchors the lineup, Williams is a leader behind the plate.

HOLY TRINITY TITANS

Coach: Michelle Tripi

2014 Record: 9-14

Key Players

Kristen Collins CF Soph.

Sophia Mattheos 1B/C Jr.

Shannon Durham P/2B Soph.

Courtney Kopf 3B/1B Soph.

Tierney Fitzgerald P/3B Fr.

Outlook: Collins is nicknamed "Hawk" for her ability to track down any ball. Newcomer Fitzgerald has speed in the circle, a quick glove in the field, and a strong bat.

OUR LADY OF MERCY MUSTANGS

Coach: Meghan McArdle

2014 Record: 6-10

Key Players

Kasey Harrington P/SS Sr.

Rochelle Brown C Sr.

Maggie Donnelly 3B Soph.

Meagan Atkinson INF Soph.

Sarah Cavanagh 1B Sr.

Outlook: Young team that will make contact and play small ball. Harrington, a finesse pitcher with nice movement, shifts from short to the circle. Brown brings power and knowledge behind the plate.

ST. DOMINIC BAYHAWKS

Coach: Kelsey Klimkowski

2014 Record: 7-12

Key Players:

Brianna Maniscalco P Sr.

Amanda Ricci CF Jr.

Julia Testagrose P/INF Soph.

Marina Psikitas UTL Fr.

Olivia Volberg 1B Jr.

Outlook: Very quick team. Maniscalco is a power pitcher with great movement on the ball. Ricci can hit and slap and has tremendous speed. Testagrose provides some pop.

ST. MARY'S GAELS

Coach: Frank Chiauzzi

2014 Record: 0-12

Key Players

Meghan Chiauzzi P Sr.

Elizabeth Limonta SS Sr.

Champaigne Toppi 2B Sr.

Sam Vaz 1B Jr.

Tiffany Xelas C Jr.

Outlook: Chiauzzi is a contact hitter who uses all fields, and hits her spots in the circle. Limonta has range at short. Toppi brings speed to the top of the order.

LI LUTHERAN CRUSADERS

Coach: Helen Speck

2014 Record: 15-5

Key Players

Robbi Reed P/INF Jr.

Kathleen Reed P/UTL Fr.

Sarah Bouzaidi CF Sr.

Adriana Vollono 1B Sr.

Skylar McCann P Eighth grade

Outlook: NYSAIS runner-up is led by the Reed sisters. Robbi is a contact hitter who will find the gaps, and Kathleen has a nasty screwball. Bouzaidi and Vollono have great speed.

PORTLEDGE PANTHERS

Coach: Matt Rothenberg

2014 Record: 8-3

Key Players

LeAna Duszak 3B/P Soph.

Morgan Follett P/CF Sr.

Carly Kleinwaks P/CF Soph.

Delilah Leibowitz SS Sr.

Kamilah Roberts C Fr.

Outlook: Defending IPPSAL champs, now in PSAA, are led by Duszak, a power hitter with good range and a strong arm, and Follett, who hits for contact.

LAWRENCE WOODMERE ACADEMY

TIGERS

Coach: Kris Pischel

2014 Record: 6-3

Key Players

Gabby Irizarry SS/P Jr.

Emma Garenstein 1B Soph.

Anli Gerbino 3B Soph.

Brianna Brunson LF Sr.

Melissa Docteur OF Sr.

Outlook: Deep lineup with strong hitters. Irizarry leads off, has great footwork at short, and brings finesse to the circle. Garenstein and Gerbino have power.

WALDORFCoach: Shane Flanagan

2014 Record: 6-3

Key Players

Skyla Davis P/1B Jr.

Abby Picoli P/SS Soph.

Emma Wallace C/Sr.

Anja Resnick 3B Jr.

Julia Gonzalez

Outlook: IPPSAL runner-up last season shifts to PSAA. Davis hits her spots consistently. Picoli can play any position.

SOLOMON SCHECHTER LADY LIONS

Coach: Kerry Dalton

2014 Record: 1-9

Key Players

Izzy Edelstein P Jr.

Rachel Levy OF Jr.

Abby Lerner 2B Soph.

Sara Balsam SS/P Soph.

Gabby Goodstein C Fr.

Outlook: Edelstein and Balsam throw effective fastballs. Levy is quick on the bases, Lerner has a strong arm, and Goodstein knows how to control the game.