Springfield and Anthony Wayne remained in contention for the Northern Lakes League softball championship a year ago until the final day of the league schedule.
The Blue Devils and Generals settled on sharing the title after both navigated their way through league play to finish 11-3.
Little has changed for either team and the NLL race expects to play out much like it did last year.
Springfield coach Rob Gwozdz, who shared NLL coach of the year honors a year ago with AW coach Carolyn Vogtsberger, is working with seven returning all-league players, including his daughter, Kelcee, an All-Ohio first-team infielder a year ago.
"Expectations are again high for us this year," said Gwozdz, who is in his sixth season as the Blue Devils' coach.
Senior shortstop Kelcee Gwozdz, who plans to continue playing at the University of Toledo, returns after a season in which she batted a team-leading .379 with 20 RBIs.
Outfielder Mara Hubbard (.365), second baseman Christine Zappone (.309) and third baseman Randy Hamilton (.308) also return with the experience of claiming at least a share of the NLL title for the second year in a row.
If there's a question surrounding the Blue Devils it is, how will freshman right-hander Ashlyn Michalak handle the role as Springfield's ace? The goal early in the season is to provide enough run-support and defense to help her settle into her new role.
"We can score runs with everybody," the coach said. "Bringing back our returning defense will be as good as it gets."
The Blue Devils, who lost in the D-I sectional final to Findlay, welcome back Kate Helminiak to play first base in her senior season after sitting out last year with an injury. Helminiak hit four home runs and batted .350 as a sophomore.
The Blue Devils don't expect the road to the top of the NLL to resemble a leisurely walk in the park.
"I really believe it's one of the toughest leagues in the state," Gwozdz said. "Anthony Wayne will be as good as ever and Rossford is a senior-led team."
AW returns an experienced roster that includes All-NLL pitcher Becky Gill, who went 22-3 while leading the Blue Devils to a 25-4 record. Gill, who owned a 0.86 ERA, struck out 220 batters last season.
Sam Kolling put up league-leading offensive number - .419, 39 hits, 27 RBIs as a sophomore.
Rachel Hamman hit at a .370 clip.
Rossford, which finished two games behind the co-champs, has a talented lineup returning.
Senior Marissa Everett is the league's top returning pitcher. She went 14-7 with a 0.57 ERA. She struck out 222 batters in 148 innings.
Everett also proved capable of helping her own cause when it came to swinging a bat.
Her .372 batting average ranked third in the league and she also drove in 24 runs and stole 10 bases. Kelly Heban (.371), Jordan Sujkowski (.341) and Missy Furrie (.341) are also return after an 18-9 season, 9-5 in the NLL.
Perrysburg, just behind Springfield and AW last season at 10-4, figures to contend again with Mallory Messenger (.354) and Olivia Hegedus (.322) back.
Contact Donald Emmons at:
demmons@theblade.com
or 419-724-6302.
First Published April 4, 2007, 10:05 a.m.
