There will certainly be some star power on high school softball fields this spring.

Mars has two shining examples in senior catcher Brie Berkopec and junior pitcher Monica Glomb.

Berkopec hit .441 last year with four home runs and 12 RBI and was one of the best defensive catchers in the state. All Glomb did was dominate opponents, striking out 134 in 116 innings and posting a 0.78 ERA.

Both are back and have Mars coach Michele Goodworth thinking big in 2006.

"I think both Brie and Monica will both be leaders in their own way," Goodworth said.

Moniteau has senior Sara Vinca, the co-Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference MVP,back this season.

The left-hander was even more dangerous at the plate, hitting well over .500 and will see the majority of her playing time this season in center field.

"She wasn't voted co-MVP for nothing," said Moniteau coach Danny Hindman. "She outhit Natalie (DeMatteis, Moniteau's graduated second baseman), and that was her goal from the beginning of the season."

Then there is Seneca Valley's own version of Murderer's Row with a lineup that consists of senior Ali Intihar, senior Tina Mangola and sophomore Courtney Grootegoed, among others.

Intihar hit .455 with 17 RBI last season and played a nearly flawless shortstop. Mangola hit .439 and Grootegoed drove in a team-high 22 runs.

"Ali is just phenomenal," said Seneca Valley coach George Trew. "She's going toCornell to play softball and get an Ivy League education. That's exceptional."

Following is a capsulated look at this year's area softball teams:

ButlerCoach: Lindsey Partridge, first season.

Last year: Two wins.

Lineup card: P-Stacy Reges (sophomore); C-Karra White (sophomore); 1B-Trisha Hollerman (sophomore); 2B-Lauren Sanderson (sophomore); SS-Jenna Geibel (freshman); 3B-Brenna McPherson (sophomore); OF-Kelly Anzalbi (senior), Janelle Thompson (senior), Christine Harvey (senior), Carly Ziegler (freshman), Erica Thrower (freshman).

Outlook: With a new coach and an almost new lineup, it's hard to tell what to expect from the Golden Tornado this season."I'd like to see us at least be competive with the other teams in the section," Partridge said. "I anticipate this season being a learning one for the girls."

Seneca ValleyCoach: George Trew, sixth season

Last year: 15-5.

Lineup card: P-Courtney Grootegoed (sophomore), Lauren Pennell (junior); C-Tina Mangola (senior); 1B-Grootegoed, Lindsay Troyer (junior); 2B-Jackie Mangola (sophomore); SS-Ali Intihar (senior); 3B-Nicole Lollo (junior); OF-Julie Marlowe (senior), Liz Dorogy (junior), Rachel Jackson (senior), four others in the mix.

Outlook: With a fearsome lineup and a solid one-two pitching punch, the Raiders are posied to make a long run this season."I don't think you'll find a weak spot in our lineup this year," Trew said.

MarsCoach: Michele Goodworth, eighth season.Last year: 13-7Lineup card: P-Monica Glomb (junior); C-Brie Berkopec (senior); 1B-Kyla Ferguson (senior), Emma Wharrey (junior); 2B-Kristin Scheller (senior); SS-Hannah Taggart (senior); 3B-Autumn Barber (sophomore), Brittany Berkopec (freshman); OF-Zara Zollner (sophomore), Elyse Flecker (senior), Amanda Roche (junior), four others in mix.

Outlook: The Planets have high hopes for the season, and for good reason.They have one of the best pitchers in the state, as well as one of the best catchers."This is my eighth year and this is the most talented and experienced we have been," Goodworth said.

Grove CityCoach: Sue Greaves, second season

Last year: 14-6

Lineup card: P-Chelsea Filer (freshman); C-Tara Walmsley (junior); 1B-Katie Stewart (senior); 2B-Kristen Kowalsky (senior), Jess Hodge (senior), Courtney Chutz (freshman); SS-Stephanie Blakely (junior); 3B-Maggie Orr (sophomore); OF-Hodge, Kari Barnes (junior), Kaitlin Moretti (senior), Kristen Shipton (senior)

Outlook: Grove City lost all-region pitcher Krista Chiappini to graduation, but has a talented freshman in Filer waiting in the wings."We're pretty confident in her pitching abilities," Greaves said. "She plays softball year-round and she was really dedicated in the off-season."

MoniteauCoach: Danny Hindman, fourth season.

Last year: 15-5

Lineup card: P-Martina Burk (junior), Sara Vinca (senior); C-Amber Neff (freshman); 1B-Stephanie Bonzo (sophomore), Sarah Dittig (freshman); 2B-Megan Campbell (junior); SS-Brandy Neff (junior); 3B-Krystal Rikal ()junior); OF-Larissa Fowler (senior), Vinca, Burk, Ashley Pisor (freshman), Jessica Scott (freshman), Emily McCarney (freshman).

Outlook: The Warriors got very young overnight, but still believe they can match last year's stellar showing."We're not just a young team, but we have a lot of girls who are going to be thrown into positions they have never been in before," Hindman said. "We're still looking to win the KSAC and move on from there."

Karns CityCoach: Mike Simpson, fourth season.

Last year: 9-9

Lineup card: P-Ashton Pakutz (sophomore), Rachel Higgins (senior), Emileigh Geibel (junior); C-Samantha Pyle (junior); 1B-Haley Callihan (junior); 2B-Samantha Bly (freshman); SS-Allyson Kepple (sophomore); 3B-Brittnee Miller (senior), Brianna Bowser (sophomore); OF-Jessica Spafford (junior), Katrina Arendosh (senior),Erica Fallecker (junior), Danielle Smith (senior).

Outlook: The Gremlins have a luxury few teams have: three solid pitchers and Simpson plans to use them all."We're kind of looking forward to this year," Simpson said. "I think we will be really competitive."

KnochCoach: Scott Docherty, first season.

Last year: One win

Lineup card: P-Stephanie Fincher (junior), Chelsea Martin (freshman); C-Christina Rickard (senior), Lizz King (junior); 1B-Jackie Brodeur (senior), Ashlee Antoszyk (sophmore); 2B-Autumn Miller (senior); SS-Kristen Brant (sophomore); 3B-Tiffany Allen (senior); OF-Zoe Hughes (sophomore), Jade Thrower (sophomore),Margaret Blank (senior), Maria Gonzalz (senior), Michaelle Steinmiller (sophomore)

Outlook: Despite coming off a one-win season, Docherty has some specific goals for his team in his first season."We have three goals," he said. "No. 1 is to win as many games as last year. No. 2 is to have a winning record. I predict we will go 12-7 this year.And No. 3, make the playoffs."

FreeportCoach: Jim Rapp, first season

Last year: 12-6

Lineup card: P-Stephanie Leslie (senior), Brittany Showers (junior), Kylie Hepler (junior); C-Bethany Gent (junior); 1B-Jessica Rykaceski (junior); 2B-Megan Doerfler (junior); SS-Leslie, Hepler, Lynn Patterson (junior); 3B-Showers; OF-Lauren Weres (senior),Emily Goerl (senior)l Stephanie Hinchberger (senior), Hepler.

Outlook: Rapp is inheriting a team that returns just four starters. Most of his lineup played junior varsity last season."My outlook for the season I would have to say is cautious," Rapp said. "As a new coach at Freeport, I knew absolutely nothing about the talent that I was going to have. ..."We need a lot of work defensively yet, but what I've seen at the plate so far is encouraging. My players have been very cooperative in adjusting to new things and I'm hoping they will see a big payoff."

Slippery RockCoach: Tom Wamsley, third season.

Last year: 5-14

Lineup card: P-Shanae White (junior); C-Jamie Laughner (freshman); 1B-Sarah Kotomski (freshman); 2B-Amanda Shearer (junior); SS-Erin Ferguson (freshman); 3B-Sam Valponi (sophomore); OF-Jess Hotz (freshman), Marissa Schmeider (junior), Courtney Moore (junior); Lindsay Bennett (junior)

Outlook: The Rockets are by far the youngest team in the area.There are no seniors on the roster and the team will start four freshmen and a sophomore.Despite that, Wamsley said he believes his team will improve upon its showing last season."Even though we lost some seniors, this group of girls, even though they are young, should win more games that last year," Wamsley said. "I've coached a 15-and-under team in fall ball with most of these girls and they won 75 percent of their games against good competition."