For a glimpse of how much softball talent exists in the local area, look no further than the pitcher's mound at any of the local ballparks this spring.

Franklin Regional, Norwin and Penn-Trafford each feature talented hurlers that will try to help their teams into the WPIAL playoffs this season.

The Lady Panthers return senior All-Section righty Janet Smith. Norwin will be led by senior Ashley Ginardi, and Penn-Trafford will rely on the duo of senior Kelly Lemmon and junior Michelle Birkos.

All four are among the best in the WPIAL, which should provide for some exciting matchups as the softball season gets under way this month.

Franklin Regional will compete in Section 2-AAA with Derry, Greensburg Salem, Laurel Highlands, Southmore-land, Uniontown and Yough.

Norwin and P-T will face off against Albert Gallatin, Connellsville, Hemp-field and Latrobe in Section 1-AAAA.

Franklin Regional

2007 finish: 11-6 overall, 9-3 in Section 2-AAA, second place; lost in WPIAL first round to Hampton, 6-0.

Returning starters: Erin Cline (Sr., C), Ashley Dolan (So., 3B), Janet Smith (Sr., P), Kate Dodsworth (Jr., CF), Kasey Segiel (So., SS), Courtney Manovich (Jr., 1B), Amy Wengryn (Jr., 2B/OF), Courtney Cepko (So., OF), Allyson Vrcek (So., P), Olivia Colangelo (Sr., DH/C).

Top contributors: Breanna Fink (Jr., OF), Olivia Verona (So., OF), Zoey Simek (So., OF), Hannah Stynchula (Fr., INF, C, OF).

Key losses: Stacey Daugherty, Hannah White, Alissa Falcone.

Strengths/weaknesses: Coach Jim Armstrong is excited about a lot of things, but he expects pitching to make hefty improvements under new coach Jen Kulick, who was a Gannon standout.

Another positive will be the return of Cline behind the dish. One of the top players in the WPIAL, she missed all of last season rehabbing from knee surgery to repair a torn ACL.

Armstrong also has high expectations for his strong group of sophomores, in addition to All-Section honoree Dodsworth and Manovich, who have started for the past two years.

The team hopes to work out the kinks with a trip to Florida this week for two scrimmages and several practices on outdoor fields.

Outlook: As usual, the Lady Panthers likely will battle Greensburg Salem for the section's top spot.

"I'm really excited about this season. Greensburg Salem's always going to be tough. Hopefully we can give them a run this year. It's a fun rivalry we have," Armstrong said.

"I expect every year to do well. I expect to win. They work real hard. We set the level high. I think we can have a pretty good year, but everything has to fall into place. If they work hard and do the things we ask them to do, we can be very good this year."

Opening Day: March 25 vs. Yough, 3:30 p.m.

Norwin

2007 finish: 4-14 overall, 2-13 in Section 1-AAAA, sixth place.

Returning starters: Jessica Guzewicz (Sr., 3B), Ashley Ginardi (Sr., P/RF), Jackie Spoljarick (Sr., RF/P), Nicole Boehm (Sr., 2B), Bree Acalotto (Sr., C), Jessica Royall (Sr., CF), Lauren Dodd (Sr., C/LF), Courtney Morton (Jr., SS), Alex Miklos (Jr., 1B), Kelli Curran (Jr., SS), Ali Viola (So., SS).

Top contributors: Lisa Gulasy (Sr., LF), Anais Popojas (So. OF/INF).

Key losses: Nina Schwer, Sarah Henry, Abbe Dirling.

Strengths/weaknesses: Guzewicz (.340) and Miklos (.330) were two of the top hitters in Section 1 last season, and coach Marc Boban expects much of the same. Guzewicz has been a starter at short stop since her freshman year but will move to third base this season to prepare her for a college career at Slippery Rock University.

Boehm, another three-year starter, hit .330 two years ago but struggled last year. Royall started well last year but suffered a broken wrist.

Norwin also expects solid innings from Ginardi, both at the plate and on the mound.

"We're going to count on her on the mound," Boban said. "I'm not too concerned about her pitching. She's been pretty good over the last two years."

Outlook: Although the competition in Section 1 will be intense, Boban thinks the Lady Knights can make a run at a strong season.

"I think the girls are hungry. That group is not used to losing. Last year was not a very good season. You can see the determination that they want to turn things around," Boban said.

"I'm always optimistic. I'm not going to make any predictions. We're going to go out and play softball. We're going to stick to the fundamentals. We're going to pitch well. We're always a good fielding team. Maybe the girls are a little more relaxed, and they'll be able to hit better. We'll let the results speak for themselves."

Opening Day: March 20 at Indiana, 3:30 p.m.

Penn-Trafford

2007 finish: 8-9 overall, 6-9 in Section 1-AAAA.

Returning starters: Kelly Lemmon (Sr., 2B/P), Stephanie Speranza (Sr., SS), Lauren Persico (Sr., 3B), Nicole Ganster (Sr., OF), Brittany Herman (Sr., 1B), Karlee Rubright (Sr., C), Michelle Birkos (Jr., P/1B/OF), Danica Cortazzo (Jr., OF), Tonia Cortazzo (Jr., OF), Chelsea Scott (Jr., 1B), Danielle Stokum (Jr., OF/INF), Valya Hobaugh (So., C), Brittany Borkovich (So., INF).

Top contributors: Mellissa Strittmatter (Jr., 1B), Brianna Edwards (Jr., 3B/OF/C), Hannah Giacomin (Jr., INF/OF).

Key losses: None.

Strengths/weaknesses: Pitching -- it's one of the key factors that makes good teams into playoff contenders, and P-T features two strong hurlers in Lemmon and Birkos, who each had an ERA under one for most of last season.

"I am expecting big things. Just like any team, we'll go as far as our pitching goes," coach Joe Giacomin said.

"They have a great supporting cast this year. I can probably put six different lineups out there. That's how strong we are on the bench this year, as well as in the field."

Catching also will be a strength as Rubright and Hobaugh both feature cannons behind the dish and have been clocked at better than 60 mph on throws to second.

Competition again will be strong in Section 1, however, as several other local teams return a bevy of starters.

Outlook: Hempfield knocked off P-T three times last season by one run en route to winning a section title. The Lady Warriors hope to dethrone the section foe this year.

"I'm expecting big things out of them, nothing less than a playoff spot. Our goal is to knock Hempfield off and take our section," Giacomin said. "Our section is the toughest in Western Pennsylvania in my opinion. You can't let your guard down any time."

Opening Day: March 20 at Bethel Park, 3:30 p.m.