Nassau Conference AA-I softball preview

1. EAST MEADOW JETS

Coach: Stew Fritz

2013 record: 18-9

Key players

Kerri Shapiro, P, Sr.

Madison West, C, Sr.

Claire Travis, OF, Sr.

SEE PHOTOSSoftball players to watch 2014

Marisa San Antonio, OF, Sr.

Crista San Antonio, 3B, So.

Outlook: One win shy of a state title last season, the Jets return one of Long Island's best batterymates in Shapiro and West and speedy outfields in Travis and San Antonio.

2. MACARTHUR GENERALS

Coach: Bobby Fehrenbach

2013 record: 15-11

Key players

Kristen Arbiter, C/SS/OF, Sr.

Kirsten Kelley, OF/1B, Sr.

Lyndsey Balder, 3B/P, Sr.

Nicolette Moustouka, OF/P/C, Jr.

Shannon Myles, C/SS. Fr.

Outlook: The offense will have to compensate for the loss of pitcher Ashley Massoni, who is sidelined due to injury. Arbiter is a line drive hitter with power to all fields and Kelley is a tough out atop the lineup.

3. MEPHAM PIRATES

Coach: Mike Muscara

2013 record: 13-6

Key players

ToniMarie Valeriano, P, Sr.

Christine Rizzacasa, IF/OF, Sr.

Amanda Fucci, 3B, Sr.

Kelcey Taylor, SS, Sr.

Nicole Aliberti, C, Jr.

Outlook: Valeriano, the reigning Nassau County pitcher of the year, hits her spots, moves the ball, and features a nasty screwball. Rizzacasa is a great gap hitter atop a lineup that is fast and powerful.

4. MASSAPEQUA CHIEFS

Coach: Bret Malone

2013 record: 12-7

Key players

Rachel Sieber, SS, Sr.

Emily Gaeta, 1B/3B, Sr.

Krista Carcaterra, P, Jr.

Darby Pandolfo, C, So.

Kelle Lalier, So.

Outlook: The entire infield returns led by captains, Sieber, who is as good as it gets defensively at short, and Gaeta, who is not afriad to get dirty at third.

5. OCEANSIDE SAILORS

Coach: Joe Supple

2013 record: 6-14

Key players

Claire McNamara, SS Jr.

Jeannie Callanan 3B Sr.

Megan McNamara, CF Jr.

Grace Bandini, C, Soph.

Paige Seitz, P, Sr.

Outlook: The McNamara twins hit atop the order of a lineup that should take the next step offensively. Very sound defensive team that covers a lot of ground and has plenty of strong arms.