Softball season has begun, and teams in the Macomb Area Conference are ready to chase league crowns this season.

This is how the teams in the MAC stack up this season. All information was provided by coaches, and not all coaches submitted.

MAC Red

Grosse Pointe North Norsemen

Returning starters: Nine starters are back for GPN from last season: Isabella Boedeker, Charlotte Julien, Addie Wakefield, Elliot Jarvi, Kate Stemmler, Eva Borowski, Cara Koslatis, Abbey Scarsella and Sofia Gualdani.

Returning pitchers: Elliot Jarvi, Kate Stemmler and Sofia Gualdani.

Strengths: GPN has a huge chunk of returning production along with three additions that should make an impact.

Overview: The Norse will play another strong schedule but they expect to be competitive on the mound, in the field and at the plate.

Top players: They expect that all 12 players will paly a role, with two very good freshmen in Emma Barr and Addie Moses and the addition of Liesl Wilkins all giving them a boost.

Romeo Bulldogs

Head coach: Derek Ganfield

Returning starters: Seniors Emily Dawson, Sanyah Earl, Jess McLeod and Julia Lentine are back. Junior Bailey Anton joins the outfield after transferring from Lutheran North, and reigning all-MAC Selections Sarah Jesperson, Katie Murphy and Meagan Myers will slot back into the lineup. Look for Helena Murphy, Ava Yaklin and incoming freshmen Gabby Huyghe, Evie Condon and Aleah Hill to get time too.

Returning pitchers: Emily Dawson had a 2.70 ERA in 76 innings last season. Katie Murphy went 16-4 with a 2.80 ERA, too, and Sanyah Earl has mound experience.

Strengths: The Bulldogs are versatile and athletic with plenty of returning pitching experience.

Weaknesses: Some players will have to get used to shuffling their roles, accepting that some things — including game day philosophy and approach — will take some acclimating for the coming season.

Overview: The Bulldogs know that the MAC Red is tough. They’ll put an emphasis on staying healthy and being consistent on both offense and defense.

Dakota Cougars

Head coach: Olivia Savage

Last year’s record: 32-6 (12-0 Red)

Anchor Bay Tars

Head coach: Mike Downey

Last year’s record: 19-18 (4-8 Red)

Eisenhower Eagles

Head coach: Bob Hall

Last year’s record: 12-18 (3-9 Red)

Chippewa Valley Big Reds

Head coach: Steve Lorway

Last year’s record: 16-12 (5-7 Red)

Ford Falcons

Head coach: Matt Joseph

Last year’s record: 27-9 (7-5 Red)

MAC White

Fraser Ramblers

Returning starters: Several players with varsity experience are back, including Isabel Wilson, Peyton McKernan, Gabby Bajewski, Camilia Dawood, Jazlyn Wooten and Madison Macleod.Returning pitchers: Three-year starters Camilia Dawood and Gabby Gajewski are both back.

Strengths: Offense and pitching.

Weaknesses: Lineup depth.

Overview: The Ramblers feel solid going into the season with a solid roster that will look to compete in the MAC White after moving up.

Lakeview Huskies

Head coach: Kevin Nugent, first season

Returning starters: Seniors Morgan Kliffel (center field) and Mackenzie Reyes (third base).

Returning pitchers: Samantha Kliffel, a senior.

Strengths: The Huskies are young but have lots of speed.

Weaknesses: There are lots of positions to fill.

Overview: Lakeview will have many opportunities to grow and gain some in-game experience. They’re looking forward to creating a solid foundation, as juniors Bethann Dostine, Kayleigh Haworth and Alaina LaMilza play big roles. There will be seven freshmen stepping in, too, with Addison McQueen, Alana Stearns, Alivia Prasjnak, Layla Mansur, Jordyn Pinder, Lorelei Rubino and Ava Lootens all being asked to contribute.

Marysville Vikings

Head coach: Ryan Rathje, 22nd season

Returning starters: Camry Eveningred returns a .429 average while Ryan Quain, Addilyn Vagi, Clara Moore, Emily Winn, Annika Gellasch and Alycia Miller all bring back batting averages over .300. Also back is Kendal Quain, whose .296 BA was right there, too.

Returning pitchers: Ryan Quain and Clara Moore each had ERAs right around 4.00 last season.

Strengths: Pitching and defense will be the Vikings’ keys to success. They’ll be solid throughout the lineup, while also adding a handful of new sophomores and freshmen to the mix.

Weaknesses: Consistency will be a top priority across hitting, pitching and defense.

Overview: With a new mix of returners and exciting additions, Marysville has the ability to be in every game they play with a group of hard workers who are ready to reach their potential.

Stevenson Titans

Head coach: Francesca Madonna, first season

Social media: @SHSVarsitySoftball on Instagram, Stevenson Softball on Facebook

Returning starters: Grace Toon, .329 average and 12 RBIs last year; Sierra Savage, 38 games played in career; Mikayla Ciesluk, sophomore, .327 average and 17 RBIs last season.

Returning pitchers: Mikayla Ciesluk, 115 Ks in 94.2 innings last season; Emily McDonald

Strengths: Positional versatility, strong hitting and strong middle

Weaknesses: Nine seniors graduated from last year; open positions; only three players on roster with varsity experience.

Overview: The Titans will be led by a coach not named Tony Misuraca for the first time in 25 years as the longtime skipper retired after Stevenson finished 6-21 last season. Francesca Madonna takes over a team that has a good spread of ages (five seniors, three juniors, two sophomores and two freshmen) that will see new starters at almost every position. They expect to exceed expectations this season while improving each week and, of course, having fun.

Utica Chieftains

Head coach: Deonna Giacona, 14th varsity season (216-178)

Social media: Utica Varsity Softball on Facebook, Uticavarsitysoftball on Instagram, @Utica-Softball on X/Twitter

Returning starters: Eight members of the lineup are back from last season, including juniors Alora Hogston, Ava Bruning, Kylie Condon, McKenna Bock, Rachel Durecki, Sarah Polcinak and Violet Smith and sophomore Ava Mazza.

Returning pitchers: Violet Smith.

Strengths: With their strong chemistry comes respect for each other. They share a common goal and are being pushed through physical leadership.

Weaknesses: They’ll lack some experience at key positions, including pitcher, where they return just one player with varsity experience.

Overview: Utica expects to compete with the top of the MAC White. They have plenty of experience with a massive junior class that all bring two full varsity seasons under their belts, bringing leadership, experience and skill daily. With a mix of returners and some new additions, the Chieftains will be competitive every game.

St. Clair Saints

Head coach: Libby Cody

Last year’s record: 23-14 (7-5 White)

L’Anse Creuse North Crusaders

Head coach: Eryn VanderVlucht

Last year’s record: 10-18 (3-9 White)

MAC Blue

L’Anse Creuse Lancers

Returning starters: Eleven players are returning for 2025, with five of them bringing back batting averages over .300 from last season (Ella Harris, Anne Matheson, Alyssa Strohl, Kaylene Wirisck and Ashley Woods). Lilly Kacir, Emma Liske, Veronica Niarhos, Rylee Payne, Samantha Ureel and Olivia Yanchitis are back, too.

Returning pitchers: Veronica Niarhos pitched 100 innings and Rylee Payne pitched 43 last season. Both will see time on the mound this year.

Strengths: Having several returning starters lends itself to having great team chemistry. They’ve shown immense excitement and energy for 2025, with a focus on hitting, baserunning aggressiveness and limiting errors in the field.

Weaknesses: They’re learning to navigate the game with a new head coach as they focus on merging what players know from the legendary Lisa Downey and what they can learn from Werth’s system. Werth was previously the pitching coach at Saginaw Valley.

Overview: L’Anse Creuse’s Team 52 is focused on their mottos: One Team, who wins together, learns together and falls together. Rise Above, to get better every day and making improvements each time on the field to prepare for districts, and Win The Day, to be the best they can be, bringing their 110% every day. Their only new player is Tiara Hyles, a freshman, who will see time on the mound and around the field.

Lake Shore Shorians

Head coach: Carl Agosta, fourth season

Social media: @LSHSSoftball10 on X/Twitter, Lake Shore High School Softball on Facebook, lakeshore.softball on Instagram

Returning starters: Sophia VanDenstorm, Kendra Damm, Sara Augustitus, Chloe Scott and Tarynn Miller all return varsity experience.

Returning pitchers: VanDenstorm struck out 124 batters last season while having a .491 batting average of her own.

Strengths: Pitching and athleticism.

Weaknesses: The group is young — there are no seniors on the roster. But Agosta says that the roster has the most overall talent that Lake Shore has seen in years.

Overview: The Shorians make the swap from the MAC White to the MAC Blue. They return experience in the circle and have a strong freshman class coming in to supplement their returning starters, which are headlined by VanDenstorm (124 Ks, .491 batting average) and Damm (.456 average).

Warren Woods Tower Titans

Head coach: Lance Sell, 23rd season

Returning starters: Atiana Guzman, shortstop, hit .490 last season; Gabby Lewis, third baseman, all-state selection with .538 average last season; catcher Jackie Asmar, .368 average; Eisa Lautenbach, outfielder, .457 average last season; Iris Everett, DP, hit .462 and second baseman Adrianna Strunk hit .263.

Returning pitchers: Aislinn Lipar, 7-2 in 2024.

Strengths: Hitting and defense are expected to be Tower’s strengths.

Weaknesses: The Titans lack depth, especially on the mound. They could be turning to one senior pitcher (Lipar) to pitch most of the innings.

Overview: Warren Woods Tower expects to remain competitive in 2025 after moving up from the MAC Gold to the Blue after going 26-2 with a district title last season. Their core from that team is back, with four returning seniors.

Port Huron Northern Huskies

Head coach: Randy Shagena

Last year’s record: 13-14 (6-6 Blue)

Grosse Pointe South Blue Devils

Head coach: Bill Fleming

Last year’s record: 27-10 (6-6 Blue)

Marine City Mariners

Head coach: Courtney LaBuhn

Last year’s record: 23-4 (12-0 Blue)

New Haven Rockets

Head coach: Joel Schmitt

Last year’s record: 12-15 (6-6 Blue)

MAC Gold

Clawson Trojans

Social media: clawsontrojanssoftballprogram on Instagram, Clawson Trojans Softball Program on Facebook

Returning starters: Seven players will be back in the lineup, featuring Sarah McLeod, Meghan Shea, Chloe Fisher, Calleigh McMillan, Cassidy Perry, Addison Tikey and Jillian Wuff. All but Wuff will be in at least their third varsity season.

Returning pitchers: McLeod and McMillan pitched last year. Travadon Holcomb, a 1A starter, will miss the season due to injury.

Strengths: Hitting and baserunning.

Weaknesses: Errors and pitching depth.

Overview: While the Trojans have lots of experience coming back, there’s also going to be a lot of youth in certain positions. They had strong participation in the offseason in the weight room, batting cages and fielding workouts. As long as they can improve defensively, they’ll compete near the top of the division.

Lamphere Rams

Head coach: Lauren Genereau, second

Social media: lamphere_varsity_softball on Instagram

Returning starters: P/CF Brooke Harrison and SS Emile Eritano are entering their fourth seasons as varsity players and C Faithlynn Doegna and OF/IF Hayden Gum are entering their third. Aliana Martinez provides pop in the middle of the lineup.

Returning pitchers: Brooke Harrison is their returning pitcher.

Strengths: The Rams have power, leadership and depth.

Weaknesses: Several first year varsity players will be getting their feet wet.

Overview: Lamphere stares down a tough schedule, but they’re looking forward to stepping up and competing. Their senior class is full of returners and leaders and they’ll lean on them to help grow throughout the season.

Warren Mott Marauders

Head coach: Jim Carlisle

Last year’s record: 19-18 (8-4 Gold)

Center Line Panthers

Head coach: James Ogden

Last year’s record: 1-15 (1-11 Gold)

Cousino Patriots

Head coach: Jason Swords

Last year’s record: 11-14 (7-5 Gold)

Port Huron Red Hawks

Head coach: Ryan Mullins

Last year’s record: 10-13 (4-8 Blue)

Roseville Panthers

Head coach: John Denbow

Last year’s record: 6-15 (5-7)

MAC Silver

Clintondale Dragons

Returning starters: Hailey Hine, sophomore catcher, .421 average last season; Kylie Violet, junior 1B/C/P, hit .419 last season; Kasey Zabel, senior SS/2B, hit .378 last season; Ava Murray, senior 1B/P/OF, hit .391 last season.

Returning pitchers: Briana Kottveldt, sophomore; Ava Murray, senior.

Overview: The Dragons’ lineup returns several boppers, with the top six hitters all presenting a threat to opposing pitchers. Hailey Hine, only a sophomore, will be in the mix among top catchers not in the MAC Silver but across the league. Look out for new players London Williams, Autumn Gary-Wright and Skye Wiley to potentially make a mark this season as well.

Sterling Heights Stallions

Head coach: Jason Pileri, third season (38-29)

Returning starters: Nine players will be back in the lineup for the Stallions, including captain Chloe Taylor, Anya Dopke, Alina Pileri, Liz Galadik, Julieta Gonzalez, Rachel Reimer, Liza Gallery, Alex Horvath and Audrey Becker.

Returning pitchers: Alina Pileri returns after having an 8-9 record last season.

Strengths: Their bats.

Weaknesses: While improved over last season, Sterling Heights is still working on their fielding.

Overview: The Stallions have confidence that they can fare well this season and are aiming to finish over .500.

Eastpointe Shamrocks

Head coach: Deon Woods

Last year’s record: 6-7 (6-6 Silver)

Fitzgerald Spartans

Head coach: Bennie Szczepkowski

Last year’s record: 6-15 (5-7 Silver)

Lincoln Abes

Head coach: Anthony Davis

Last year’s record: 1-13 (1-11 Silver)

Madison Eagles

Head coach: Tiarre Jackson

Last year’s record: 1-16 (1-11 Silver)

Hazel Park Vikings

Head coach: Greg Richardson

Last year’s record: 13-10 (12-0 Silver)