Thomas Jefferson Raiders

Coach: Lee Reed (first season)

Last year’s record: 10-6 (fourth in SPSL North)

Strong returners:  Soph. Katie Jackson (P/Util.); Sr. Allie Crowe (1B); Jr. Lexi Goranson (OF); Jr. Michala Patton (IF); Soph. Reno Whitcomb (OF).

Top newcomers: Annalise Campbell; Bailey Rundle.

Notable: The Raiders lost plenty of talent from last year’s state tournament team, including all-everything shortstop Hannah Kiyohara. Kiyohara is currently playing at the University of Louisville. Also gone are All-SPSL players like catcher Christi Bruin, second baseman Cassidy Dewaele and outfielder Julia Chanes.

But first-year coach Lee Reed does bring back plenty of talented players, including junior outfielder Lexi Goranson and sophomores Reno Whitcomb and Katie Jackson and senior Allie Crowe.

Goranson, a centerfielder, had an impressive season both offensively and defensively for Jefferson. She hit .409 for the Raiders with 24 RBIs, 27 runs scored, six stolen bases and eight doubles. She also made numerous running catches in centerfield and was a first-team, All-SPSL North selection by the league coaches.

As a freshman, Whitcomb came out of nowhere to lead the SPSL North in hitting. Whitcomb finished the 16-game SPSL season with an eye-popping .649 average. During the entire season, Whitcomb finished with a .519 average (41 for 79) and scored 31 runs. She also knocked in 10, had 12 stolen bases and four doubles. She was a first-team, All-SPSL North selection as an outfielder.

Jackson was the Raiders’ starting pitcher as a freshman last year. She finished 7-6 in the rugged SPSL North Division with a 4.00 earned-run average in 71 2/3 innings of work. Jackson also had 39 strikeouts and nine complete games.

Crowe had an impressive junior season for the Raiders as the team’s starting first baseman. Crowe finished the season with a .500 batting average. She also knocked in 22 runs, scored 26 times, had nine doubles, walked 10 times and had an on-base percentage of .625 during the SPSL North season.

“We will battle for league title with very young, but experienced squad,” Lee said.

Federal Way Eagles

Coach: Rosemarie Burke (sixth year)

Last year’s record: 2-14 (eighth in SPSL North)

Strong returners: Soph. Amanda Steffins (3B/SS); Jr. Sadie Bynum (SS/2B); Soph. Sarah Tarica (C); Soph. Lexis Pawlowski (P).

Top newcomers: Sr. Margaret Malaki (1B/OF); Fr. Jayme Scanson (OF); Soph. Mercede Vongsaveng (OF).

Notable: The Eagles had a much improved season last year, finishing 5-13 overall, which included two wins in the rugged SPSL North Division.

Federal Way returns several players from a season ago, including junior middle infielder Sadie Bynum.

As a sophomore, Bynum was the Eagles’ best hitter all season long. She hit an impressive .436 with three doubles. She also had an on-base percentage of .522 and slugged .564.

Also back are sophomores Amanda Steffins, Sarah Tarica and Lexis Palowski. Palowski threw a bulk of the innings as the Eagles’ No. 1 pitcher.

Beamer Titans

Coach: Dave Abrahamson (fourth season)

Last year’s record: 9-7 (fourth in SPSL South)

Strong returners: Soph. Halle Colson (C); Jr. Emma Blauser (P); Soph. Sami Sunitsch (SS); Soph. Jenna Floyd (2B); Jr. Alexi Jones (1B).

Top newcomers: Fr. Taylor Weimer-Pierce (OF/3B); Fr. Kelsey McDonnell (OF); Fr. Alyssa Woods (OF).

Notable: The Titans advanced to the West Central District Tournament for the second time in the last two seasons, but couldn’t qualify for the state tournament.

Beamer brings back several players from last season, including pitcher Emma Blauser.

As a sophomore, Blauser put together another solid season. She finished with a 9-7 record and led Beamer back into the postseason for the second year in a row. Blauser threw 100 innings and struck out 80 hitters. She also had an earned-run average of 3.01 and threw 14 complete games.

Also back are players like Halle Colson, Sami Sunitsch, Jenna Floyd and Alexi Jones.

Abrahamson will also bring in a very solid group of freshmen players that include Taylor Weimer-Pierce, Kelsey McDonnell and Alyssa Woods. All three play in the outfield.

“We will work hard all season to make ourselves a better team,” Abrahamson said. “We will not be content.”

Decatur Gators

Coach: Molly Rutter

Last year’s record: 3-13 (eighth in SPSL South)

Strong returners: None listed

Top newcomers: None listed