Bossier Press-Tribune Online

With seven starters back from a team than ran the table in District 1-5A last season, the Haughton Lady Bucs should be a force to be reckoned with again this season.
The 2013 softball season begins Monday, and Haughton isn’t the only team with talent and experience returning.
Fourteen players who made The Press-Tribune’s All-Bossier Parish team are back.
Five of those are from Haughton, including sophomore pitcher Anna Dies, who was 17-6 last season with an ERA of 2.21.
The others are infielders Carissa Herndon, Brooke Payton and Lani Woods and catcher Emily Edwards. Shortstop Haley Krump-elbeck was honorable mention. Also returning is designated player Michelle Lane.
Haughton finished 22-6 last season. The Lady Bucs have one key loss is Shyanne McDowell, the All-Parish MVP.
Here is a look at the parish’s other teams.
Airline: The husband-wife team of Douglas and Lynne Roberts take over  as co-head coaches.
Airline finished 17-13 last season under Tracey Rambin and lost in the first round of the 5A playoffs.
“We are very excited as the new coaches at Airline to take over with such a talented group of young ladies,” Lynne Roberts said in an email. “The foundation for this group was put in place by Coach Rambin and we are building on this to continue the tradition of excellence at Airline.”
Airline has four All-Parish players returning — shortstop Katie Smith, outfielder Carly McIntosh,  pitcher Kayla Ann Ranit and infielder Lindsay Fronzaglio.
Other returning starters include Miranda Young, Ashley Salinas, Brooke Daugherty and Madison Rowland.
Parkway: The Lady Panthers went 14-17 last season and lost in the first round of the playoffs.
Coach Neil May returns six starters, including All-Parish selections Danielle Cruickshank (third baseman), Carol Cash (pitcher) and Alexis Rayborn (shortstop/catcher/pitcher). The others are pitcher/first baseman Cheyenne Rogers, and outfielders Kelsey Gallman and Mary Kate Bozeman.  
May said Cruickshank, an LSUE signee, and Rogers, a four-year starter, will be expected to provide leadership.
He is also high on freshman catcher/first baseman Haydn Parker.
Benton: The Lady Tigers went 12-16 last season and lost in the first round of the 4A playoffs.
Second-year coach Jaymee Junge has another young team, but plenty of her players have varsity experience.
Two All-Parish selections return — junior outfielder Hailee Smith and junior infielder Taylor Thompson.
Sophomore Gabrielle Kespelher provides experience on the mound.
Other returnees include catcher Brittany Craig, infielders Savannah Collo, Samantha Maranto, Yancey Cox and Makenzie Stewart, and outfielders Alyssa Malone, Makenzie Eddy and Somer Miller.
“Last season the girls truly started to come together at the end, and I was proud of the progress they made, and  I hope to be even more proud this year,” Junge said.
Bossier: The Lady Kats return All-District selection Abreanna Williams.
Pitcher April Sainz, a second-team All-District selection, is also back. Other returnees include infielder Angie Nguyen and Casey Johnson.
Louisiana New Tech at Plain Dealing: Infielders Audrey Parham and Amanda Langston and shortstop Allison Allen are among the  the Lady Lions’ returning players, according to the roster on the school’s website.
All three made second-team All-District last season.