The Amherst High School girls softball team has six letter winners returning, including some strong hitters, and high hopes that freshmen and sophomores will fill any holes so the Falcons can make a third-straight trip to the state tournament.
Amherst won the WIAA Division 3 tournament in 1999 and finished second in 2000, dropping a 3-2 decision to Seneca in the championship game.
Coach Tim Pederson said the team may start slow but should be strong by the end of the year as young players who look to have a great future gain experience.
Shortstop Anne Stanislawski, a senior and three-year starter, returns along with two-year starters Jenni Orsund at third base and Betsy Hoffman in the outfield. Sophomore JoAnn Konkol, who led the team in runs batted in, returns as the starting catcher. Karen Ehr, a top reserve in the infield and outfield, also returns with reserve infielder-outfielder Anne Helke.
Orsund and Stanislawski were strong hitters along with Konkol in 2000, Pederson said. Stanislawski was also second team All-Star last year and Orsund led the team in runs scored.
The team needs to find a replacement for fourth-team All-State pitcher Jenny Jastromski.
Colby Mehne, a freshman, looks to be the early replacement for Jastromski, who was a four-year starter and All Conference selection.
The Falcons also lost first baseman Crystal Morgan, second baseman Julie Peskie and outfielders Renee Ostrowski and Erin Jensen to graduation, and two other starters, outfielders Becky Konkol and Jamie Krutza, who did not come out this year.
Pederson, who has coached the Falcons since 1990, said the sophomore and freshman classes have good numbers, with quality players to watch.
Juniors Emily Groshek and Suzie Helbach and sophomores Lyndey Allen and Melody French are top varsity candidates, he said.
In 2000 the Falcons finished 13-1 in the conference and 26-2 overall.