2012 Softball Preview: 20 Teams to Watch

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20 TEAMS TO WATCH

5A

Denton Guyer

7-5A Pitcher of Year Suzette Palmer, Kennedy Been, Kaitlyn Thomas and Megan Washam lead deep lineup

Flower Mound

8-5A Newcomer of Year Emilee Burkhardt, Texas Tech commit Ashley Fultz,  Houston commit Katie St. Pierre and Baylor commit Christy Lisenby are back

FM Marcus

Danie Warne returns to last year’s highly ranked 8-5A runners-up

Hebron

All-State ace Heather Sterns – a Baylor signee – led Hawks to ’10 state semifinals

Keller

Autumn Suydam, Bailee Kaderka, Texas Tech commit Brittany Lee, Tori Charters and Kristin Watkins are back for state’s fifth-ranked team that also adds transfer and Texas A&M commit April Ryan

Mesquite

Defending 11-5A champs welcome back co-MVP Victoria Bice, Victoria Hunter and Bailey Stokes

Mesquite Horn

Lots of young talent including 11-5A Newcomer of the Year Miranda Dupree and sophomore pitcher Ashley Moore

Plano

Key members Kat Batey and Kristen Miles return from last season’s state semifinals team.

Plano East

East begins the season ranked No. 2 in state 5A poll with Texas signee Holly Kern, Rachel Scott and Chandler Cink

Rowlett

10-5A co-Off. Player of the Year and Texas A&M signee Breanna Dozier returns to district champs

Southlake Carroll

Featuring 7-5A Newcomer of the Year Alex Schneider and Katelyn Vinson

4A

Birdville

Pitcherof the Year Susan Welborn, Mele Hufanga will be key to 5-4A runners-up

Burleson

Defending 7-4A champs return MVP Erika Menchaca and Pitcher of the Year Samantha Montes, a Baylor commit.

Forney

Ranked No. 3 following last year’s state tournament appearance, returning 15-4A MVP Brooke McCarroll and Laura Mabary.

Frisco Wakeland

Begins the season ranked No. 1 in 4A state poll behind 9-4A MVP Hannah Newcomb, Houston signee Tess Soefje and Darian Dunn.

Royse City

Ranked No. 8 in state despite losing 13-4A Alicia Pille to Kansas

3A & 2A

Celina

Last year’s 3A state champs are ranked No. 1 in 3A state poll with tournament MVP and All-State shortstop Shelby Carter and All-State outfielder Lindsie Knowles returning

Lovejoy

Defending 11-3A champs ranked No. 5 in 3A state poll behind All-State pitcher Brittany Lewis and freshman Danielle Brochu

North Forney

Last year’s 13-3A winner ranked No. 14 in 3A state poll behind All-State pick and North Texas signee Taylor Schoblocher

Pilot Point

Defending 9-3A champs start the season ranked No. 10 in 3A state poll