The Thomas Jefferson fastpitch program has developed into a powerhouse. The Raiders have played at the Class 4A State Tournament for the past four seasons and five times in the past six years.

Jefferson’s impressive run looks like it will continue. Head coach Chad Fahnlander returns seven starters from the team that finished fourth at the  2012 Class 4A Girls Fastpitch State Tournament, including the two pitchers who led the Raiders to a 27-6 record, Rocky Hale and Katie Jackson.

“We should make the playoffs with hard work and maybe another state tournament,” Fahnlander said.

Back are starters Jackson (P/C), Nicole Greenheck (Inf.), Alyssa Keyes (OF), Reno Whitcomb (SS/CF), Annalise Campbell (Inf.), Hale and Bailey Rundle (Util.).

Jackson, Whitcomb (.490 batting average, 49 runs, 36 stolen bases, 16 RBIs), Campbell (.410, 17 stolen bases, 15 RBIs, 37 runs), Rundle (.370, 23 RBIs, 25 runs) and Hale (7-0, 3.32 ERA, 68 K’s) were All-City and All-SPSL selections a season ago.

But the two starters the Raiders did lose occupied the third and fourth spots in the batting order. Gone are centerfielder Lexi Goranson and Michaela Patton, who are both playing in college.

The Raiders also have a very solid group of five freshmen who should provide some depth, including Sam Simundson, Brittney Leggett, Kyleigh Carbon, Bailey Nelson and Isabelle McClarty.

“This team needs to overcome taking fourth in state and still have passion and drive to get better,” Fahnlander said.

Beamer

The Titans are coming off a solid season under head coach Brian Hering. Beamer finished 10-6 in the SPSL South last year before bowing out at the district tournament.

The Titans return plenty of talent from that team, including senior Halle Colson, and juniors Megan Jewett-Chan and Kelsey McDonnell. Also back are Taylor Weimern-Pierce, Madison Rogers, Analee Scott and Maddy Colson.

“If we focus, we will win the (SPSL) South,” Hering said.

But Hering did get some bad news before the season even started. He was informed that Colson and Rogers wouldn’t be able to start the year because of injuries.

Jewett-Chan was a first-team, All-SPSL South selection at shortstop and proved to be one of the better defensive infielders in the league. She also had several big offensive games.

For the second year in a row, McDonnell was recognized as a first-team, All-SPSL South outfielder by the league’s coaches. The junior, who bats left-handed and throws right-handed, might be the fastest player in the league and had numerous games with multiple stolen bases.

Halle Colson, a catcher, had some huge offensive games for the Titans during the SPSL South season, including a pair of multi-home run games against Curtis.

Newcomers Megan Rasmussen, MaKenzie Palmer and Jourdin Hering should also provide some depth for the Titans, who will count on their hitting and speed to win games.

The Eagles should be improved this season after going winless last year. Federal Way features a very young lineup, including freshmen Jaclyn Gillis and Jessica Kuhn.

The Eagles lost their season-opener Wednesday against Mercer Island, 8-7. Federal Way jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead after the first three innings, but couldn’t hold on.

Decatur

Things can only improve for the Decatur softball team. The Gators finished 0-20 a season ago and were also 0-20 during 2011.

Jessica Ventoza takes over the program after playing at the highly-successful University of Washington.

“We will be more successful this year because we have girls that want to learn and improve,” Ventoza said. “We have a well-rounded coaching staff that is dedicated to making the girls better and the girls are willing to put in the time and effort to get where we want to go.”

The Gators return three sophomores who got some valuable varsity experience last season in Maggie Victor, Melissa Garcia and Julianna Loving. Victor will be the team’s pitcher, and Garcia and Loving are infielders. Ventoza will also be counting on freshman pitcher Genevieve Summers.