HIT THE MITT—Newbury Park High shortstop Liz Mertel fires a throw to first base during practice. JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers Spring doesn’t begin until March 20, but local softball squads are ready to get into the swing of things.

There are teams at all stages of development.

Every current player for Westlake High was on the varsity squad last season. Newbury Park welcomes a new coach and a very green roster. Oaks Christian and La Reina hope to contend for TriValley League domination.

And Thousand Oaks? Even Lancer head coach Gary Walin doesn’t know what to expect.

Most teams begin their regular seasons this weekend, weather permitting.

Here is a closer look at the squads:

Thousand Oaks Lancers

The defending Marmonte League champions have several returning starters, but there is a mystery surrounding this team.

“We have some huge question marks,” Walin said. “Our team’s changed dramatically.”

Thousand Oaks will count on junior Paris Shipp, an all-league and Second Team All-Southern Section standout in 2009.

Shipp, who led the Lancer offense with a .344 batting average, five home runs and 22 RBI last year, has shifted from third base to shortstop.

Alysha Payne (.289 batting average, eight stolen bases and six doubles) returns to her starting spot at second base.

Kanani Datan (.320 batting average, 33 hits and 16 runs scored) shifts to center field from right.

Leah Lucas, who was a designated hitter and right fielder last season, will patrol third base. The sophomore had 10 RBI in 2009.

Kandi Kuder, formerly of Newbury Park, also has some varsity experience. She can catch or operate third base.

The Lancers will have questions in the circle.

They are converting a former JV outfielder into a pitcher, while several other athletes are in the mix to pitch in the rotation.

“I have no clue, no idea, what our team will be like,” Walin said. “Offensively, we have potential to be a good team. We’re moving some people around to different positions. I don’t know how it will work out defensively.”

The skipper said Simi Valley and Royal possess good pitching, while Agoura and Moorpark are solid squads.

“We’re going to have our hands full this year,” he said.

Newbury Park Panthers

Head coach Karen Hudgins, who was hired in December, has followed the Dick Vermeil coaching path.

Vermeil went 15 years between head coaching gigs in the NFL. Hudgins had 15 years between high school jobs, as she was busy raising four children. She guided Agoura from 1992-95.

Hudgins will try to help the Panthers improve upon last year’s 4-19 mark.

“We have a very young team,” she said. “It’s been quite a challenge getting it going. I’m certainly very motivated.”

While it’s no secret Newbury Park will be rebuilding this season, several strong players give the school hope for the future.

Sophomore Michelle Moss is a starting pitcher. Her battery mate is catcher Katelyn Fenstermacher. The duo has played together for years, Hudgins said.

Junior Nicole Checkie—the likely leadoff batter—can catch or roam center field.

Chloe Welsh, another junior, returns to third base.

Freshman Ashtyn Stephan is expected to contribute from the pitching circle, while Liz Mertel will likely start at shortstop.

Taylor Beck and Dani Goodwin hope to return at some point this season from injuries. Beck broke her ankle sliding into second base last week, while Goodwin is recovering from a shoulder ailment.

“We have some strengths, but we have a lot of fundamentals to work on,” Hudgins said. “Just looking at the scores from last year—like 14-1 and 12-2—they were bad.

“My hope this year as a coach and being as positive as I am is I’d love to win games. But our hopes are to be competitive.”

Westlake Warriors

The Warriors have a small roster of 12 players—but they have plenty to offer.

“We’ve got good speed and good pitching and good leadership out of my senior kids,” head coach Lynn Baum said. “We’re looking forward to making the playoffs and contending for a (league) championship.”

Three seniors lead the way for Westlake.

Caylin Campbell, WHS’ top offensive threat in 2009, will go to the University of Nevada on a scholarship. After three seasons at second base, Campbell has shifted to shortstop. Campbell hit .464 with 25 runs last season.

Seniors Rebecca Esquivel and Allison Martin can both catch. Martin also patrols the outfield.

Junior Rebecca Ho enters her third season on the varsity pitching staff. She’s the ace this year. Sophomore Jenna Haffameier is a tall, hard-throwing pitcher who can also play first base.

Center fielder Kylie McNutt hits the ball well, while Samantha Judd provides speed on the base paths. Victoria King will play third base.

Baum will count on seven sophomores, six of whom played on Westlake’s varsity squad as freshmen.

“I’m hoping, if they play the way they can, we should do well,” the coach said.

“Our league as usual is going to be tough again. Anybody can beat anybody on any particular game. Hopefully, we’ll bring our ‘A’ game all the time.”

Oaks Christian Lions

The Lions shared a TVL title with Oak Park last year. They plan to maintain their dominance in 2010.

What is head coach Peter Ackermann excited about?

“Finally getting started,” he said.

Kiana Quolas does everything well. The junior pitching ace is also a standout hitter. Quolas led Oaks Christian with a .459 batting average at the plate and a 15-3 record with 181 strikeouts in the circle.

Lauren Lindstrom, who recently returned to the diamond after a playoff run with the OCHS girls’ soccer squad, is a major contributor at shortstop. She is also expected to pitch.

Ackermann credited Lindstrom, who has already earned a Fresno State soccer scholarship, for returning to softball when she could have coasted the rest of her senior year.

Leah Bleichner will contribute to the pitching corps. Freshman Kahala Bonsignore—the niece of Vincent Bonsignore, a sports columnist for the Los Angeles Daily News —adds depth to the pitching staff.

Catching duties will fall to sophomore Ava Jensen. Freshman Karli Rumberg will back up Jensen.

Hailey Moore and Haley Downey are three-year starters in the outfield. Sophomore Nicole Leonard can play in the infield or outfield, while A.J. Bates is an outfielder and second baseman.

Traci Brueckner, Stephanie Pugh and Jennifer Krol also contribute for the Lions.

“It’s always a pleasure to see the older players who’ve been around for years take the new players under their wings and help coach and show them the ropes,” Ackermann said.

La Reina Regents

The Regents made a postseason appearance and went 13-12 last year.

La Reina hopes to compete for a Tri-Valley championship after taking fourth place in 2009.

“La Reina, Oak Park and Oaks Christian will all be vying for the league’s No. 1 spot,” Ackermann said. “I think (league champ) will be whoever gets the breaks.”

Top returning Regents could include Sarah Fox, Jordan Needle, Maija Ehlinger, Michelle Smith, Christine Costello and Taylor Cobleigh.