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North Andover Softball Preview

2007 record: 24-1, lost in Division 2 state finals

Returning starters (5):  Kate Reading, Sr., RF; Alison McCarthy, Sr., CF; Kristin O'Connor, Sr., 1B; Krissy Whitley, Jr., 3B; Candace Waldie, Soph., C

Returning lettermen: Tess McNamara, Jr., OF; Nicole Jones, Sr., P; Courtney Lynch, Jr., INF

Promising newcomers: Lauren Cerretani, Jr., INF; Emily Cox, Soph., INF; Danielle Fournier, Soph., OF; Jess Lambert, Jr., P; Devyn Thompson, Jr., 1B/DH

Candidates in all grades: 41

Captains: Alison McCarthy, Nicole Jones, Kate Reading, Kristin O'Connor

Returning leaders: Krissy Whitley .408, 36 runs; Alison McCarthy .401; Kate Reading .380

Returning honorees: Krissy Whitley Eagle-Tribune All-Star; Kate Reading, Alison McCarthy, Cape Ann League All-Stars

Assistants: Corey Waters, Amy Wolf, JV; Lisa Jensen, Frosh.

Opener: Hosts Amesbury April 9

Odds and ends: North Andover is coming off a season in which it posted the most wins and went the furthest in the state tourney in school history. ... The Scarlet Knights suffered a huge blow when Eagle-Tribune MVP Britt Hart returned to Brooks for her junior year. Senior Nicole Jones, who had a fine season as a sophomore when the Knights went 19-3, will be the main hurler with junior Jess Lambert also getting time. ... Either Krissy Whitley (from third base) or Kate Reading (from left field) will play shortstop. ... Whitley is a two-time returning Eagle-Tribune All-Star after hitting .467 and .408, respectively, the last two years. She has struck out only five times in two years. ... Sophomore Emily Cox has looked impressive at the plate in the preseason.

Coach Brian Martin (4th year, 50-17): "We're very similar to the team we had two years ago in terms of pitching, so we'll have to play good defense like we did then. I hope to have a good hitting team because we're going to have to score runs."