Iron sharpens iron when it comes to softball in Oakland County, and that grind helped prepare some of the area’s OAA teams for good showings last spring when the postseason rolled around.

Lake Orion might be the favored pick to return to East Lansing, but there’s other teams throughout the league capable of making their aspirations of at least reaching regionals a reality — Bloomfield Hills, North Farmington and Troy Athens all got there in 2024.

And hey, a little luck never hurts.

Here’s a look at the OAA programs heading into the 2025 season. (Note: Some information was provided by coaches, and not all coaches submitted.)

Avondale

Head coach: Samantha Bolton

Last year’s record: 20-11

Overview: The Yellow Jackets won a playoff game for the first time in three seasons by defeating Royal Oak in extra innings in their district opener. The Class of 2024 was full of top contributors, though. Not only did Avondale graduate Kenedy Wolfe, who pitched all but two innings for the team last year, but also Mady Bovensiep and Lizzie Berta, the latter of whom led the team in doubles, triples and RBIs. The best of the returning bats is infielder Isabel Beltinck, who batted .439 with seven triples last spring as a freshman.

Berkley

Head coach: Ed Young

Last year’s record: 5-14

Overview: Berkley, who lost its playoff opener last spring to Seaholm, brings back a lot of key pieces from last year’s team, including Lilley Chapman, who got valuable postseason pitching experience as a freshman in that defeat to the Maples. Kaylee Converse and Claire Marentis will join her on the hill. Meanwhile, it’ll be up to returning starters Brooke Schall, Mari Strat, Alyse Muscat and Kayla Childress to provide the pop near the top of the lineup. It’s a group that looks capable of putting up runs.

Birmingham Groves

Head coach: Josh Randolph

Last year’s record: 10-11

Returning starters: Jacey Roy (CF, Jr.), Katie Murawski (2B, Sr.), Charlotte Bentley (C, Jr.), Maddy Drapal (SS, So.), Gillian Erickson (1B, Sr.), Rose Strada (P, Sr.)

Strengths: Softball IQ, communication, defense, and speed

Overview: After Brian Baldridge stabilized the Falcons’ program, Randolph takes the helm. Despite graduating one of its best on the hill and at the plate in Sydney Lezovich, Randolph appears to have some capable hitters at his disposal. Roy has real power for a leadoff hitter, and she’ll be supplemented by others like Drapal, Addison Smith, Bentley and Erickson.

Birmingham Seaholm

Head coach: Bill Schuerman

Last year’s record: 21-16

Overview: Following a win over Berkley earlier in the day, the Maples’ lost a heartbreaker to North Farmington in extra innings on their own field that ended their season last year in districts. Pitcher Sage Allen, who threw in that game against the Raiders, has graduated, but the Maples return their other All-OAA selection in senior infielder Emma Weber, along with two other all-district players, Mary Gumbis and Sophia Wanecek, as well as Gigi Hill. Junior Adele Bush looks to be one of Seaholm’s key arms.

Bloomfield Hills

Head coach: Philip Appel

Last year’s record: 26-4

Overview: What a year the Black Hawks had in 2024. Grace Main (Alma College) was a true ace for Bloomfield Hills, who allowed double-digit runs just once all season, which ended in a regional final loss to Lakeland. Though Main is gone from last year’s team that went 12-0 in the OAA White, the team’s other best pitcher, Anna Carlson, is back for a program that will be playing for the first time in the Red Division, and she’ll be joined on the bump by Evie Chin. Carlson, a University of Maine commit, should be one of the league’s biggest long-ball threats when she’s not in the circle. Another four-year starter, Sienna La Sala (Northwood), is also among the six seniors and eight returners for the Black Hawks.

Clarkston

Head coach: Melissa Smythe

Last year’s record: 7-25

Overview: The Wolves have turned to JV coach Melissa Smythe to try and rekindle the success the program enjoyed the previous decade under Don Peters. She’ll lean heavily on senior NaKenna Knowlton, a starting pitcher the past few seasons who is also one of the team’s better bats, who will be joined in the rotation by fellow senior Cara Parker and sophomore Audrey Johnson. Catcher Gracie Cantley (Mott CC) is another of Clarkston’s better bats.

Farmington

Head coach: Malik Madison

Last year’s record: 9-17

Overview: Madison takes over the Falcons’ program from former Michigan standout Stefanie Volpe, and he’s got some nice young building blocks to work with. Junior Kylie Greene (Northwood) is a heart-of-the-order hitter and will be one of the team’s main hurlers along with Sophia Porterfield, who got varsity experience in the circle as a freshman last year, too. Fellow sophomore and outfielder Grace Lamott is back as one of the Falcons’ other better bats.

Ferndale

Head coach: Jill Rutledge

Last year’s record: 9-10

Overview: The Eagles return the majority of their experience on the mound in junior Ruby Krupa Grob and sophomore Payton Harley, with the former also being one of the team’s best hitters. Another junior, Jade Blair will join that rotation. Emma Chiotti, who led the team in several hitting categories, has graduated, but the other pair of players who hit over .400 last year are still around in Krupa Grob and fellow junior Ava Burnham. Senior outfielder Eleanor Lemelin junior infielder Tabitha Weaver will also feature near the top of the lineup for Ferndale.

Lake Orion

Head coach: Joe Woityra

Last year’s record: 38-6

Overview: It required going through some of the best teams in Oakland County, but Lake Orion battled past Stoney Creek, Lakeland, and ultimately South Lyon to reach the state final for the first time in program history. That the Dragons were voted No. 3 in the MHSSCA D1 Preseason Poll is a testament to what they return in hopes of getting back to the Final Four for the third year in a row, at the least. There are certainly some holes to fill from last year’s team with the graduation of a majority of the infield (Sydney Bell, Anna Gardner, Ellie Britt) and outfielder Grace Luby, now at Spring Arbor University. Who’s left? Well, there’s both the team’s first team All-State selections in outfielder Addy Dukus and Rylee Limberger (Kennesaw State), in addition to an Honorable Mention DP in Jada Lopez (Aquinas), also a senior, who will probably see lots of time at the hot corner. Brooke Teague will compliment Limberger in the rotation and could establish herself as one of the top freshman in the area.

North Farmington

Head coach: Dave Brubaker

Last year’s record: 15-14

Overview: It was a triumphant ending to the year for North Farmington when it came to playing teams from Birmingham. After sweeping a doubleheader with Seaholm in the last few games of the regular season, the Falcons beat Groves in their playoff opener, then defeated the Maples 4-3 on a walk-off double by Corina Carrillo in the eighth inning to win a district title. Kelly Williams will take over primary pitching duties with the graduation of Hannah Hart. Shortstop Grace Salley (Grand Rapids CC) and catcher Lindsey Dorfman have moved on as well. That leaves Carrillo as one of the team’s best returning bats. Third baseman Zoey Panter is capable of depositing mistakes over the fence.

Oxford

Head coach: Allie Lanctot

Last year’s record: 14-20

Overview: Lilly Strauss dealt well enough and got run support to lead Oxford past Davison to open the playoffs last season. Though they lost to Lapeer in the district final, Strauss and fellow senior Bella Hurst return for the Wildcats as a pitching tandem to try and make another run at some silverware. Hurst is one of Oxford’s biggest threats in the box having hit .477 as a junior. Oxford will miss the power provided by Karsyn Malinich (Adrian), who had team-highs of 12 doubles and four home runs last year. Shortstop Makayla Ganz, only a sophomore, will at least help fill the void in regards to getting on base.

Rochester

Head coach: Larry Martin

Last year’s record: 9-18

Overview: The sum of the team’s pitching staff from 2024 returns for one last go-around in seniors Grace Osterholzer and Julia Krause. Their importance goes beyond the circle, as Osterholzer (.418) and Krause (.413) also were tops on the team in average. Junior Emily Hartmann will be a boost on the mound as she joins the mix in the starting rotation and should help when she steps to the plate, also. Outfielder Allison Hudson will be near the top of the lineup for the Falcons, too.

Rochester Adams

Head coach: Tony Bisaro

Last year’s record: 22-11

Overview: Adams enjoyed a pretty good 2024 in the final year under longtime coach Fran Scislowicz. His assistant, Bisaro, takes over following a season that ended with a defeat to Stoney Creek. Catcher Kitty Nahass and outfielder Sam Blaine are key graduates from last spring. Lilley Lutzka, who started and had the Highlanders’ lone RBI in the playoff loss to the Cougars, is now a senior, and Alexis Contreraz, a junior, will continue to see time on the mound. Bisaro can find comfort in knowing he’ll have continuity in the form of junior Tenley Boughner and sophomore Elle Moody slotted in near the top of the order for the next couple years.

Royal Oak

Head coach: Katrina Ellis

Last year’s record: 20-16

Overview: The Ravens flowered last May, winning 13 of 15 games to close out the regular season. Mackenzee Childress didn’t allow an earned run, and like shortstop Miya O’Branovic, she had a pair of hits, but Royal Oak still fell to Avondale in extra innings of the team’s postseason opener. Childress returns, along with other starters in catcher Alice Mahar, infielders Katelyn Eyster and Sarah Menzo, and outfielder Rachel McGowan. Additionally, Anabelle Sorensen will play a part as a sophomore who will both pitch and be a good bat for Royal Oak.

Southfield A&T

Head coach: Corey Bell

Last year’s record: 6-21

Overview: The Warriors look as though they’ll be relying on youth to throw strikes this spring. That responsibility will rest with several freshmen in London Adams and Kendall Evans. Infielders Cienna Bell and Trinity Hester should get penciled in near the top of the order alongside their classmate in Adams. Senior infielder Keira Vails returns as one of the most tenured hitters for A&T.

Stoney Creek

Head coach: Rick Troy

Last year’s record: 26-9

Overview: Few better teams had such a short playoff run as Stoney Creek. The Cougars fell just 5-4 to eventual D1 state finalist Lake Orion. Both the team’s top pitchers have graduated in Morgan Greenwald and Erin Flynn, with Flynn already picking up a Horizon League Pitcher of the Week Award at Detroit Mercy. Having also graduated catcher Christa Munn, Maryland commit and senior Kate Stephens is the most talented returner for the Cougars. Allie Ray will be one of those with a chance to fill the big shoes of the departing pitchers and should be near the top of the order and playing infield when she’s not used there. Outfielder Danielle Bryant (Northwood) will join them at the top of the order.

Troy

Head coach: Laura Guzman

Last year’s record: 10-14

Overview: After a winter of spinning it all the way to state finals in bowling, junior Peytyn Herron should be doing plenty of the same for Troy in the circle. Anastasia Krasusky will work some frames for the Colts, too. Infielders Emily Bultynck and Sophia Kaltsounis will be table setters for others in the middle of the order like Delilah Warlick, Alexis Phillips and Carly Higginbotham.

Troy Athens

Head coach: Alina Kirtland

Last year’s record: 14-17

Returning starters: Addison Cosgrove (C, Sr.), Addison Pokley (SS, Sr.), Angie Leonard (P, Sr.), Mackenzie Weber (2B, Sr.), Sommer Swanson (OF, Sr.), Molly LaBay (OF, Jr.), Cara Dahlerup (3B, Jr.)

Strengths: Team chemistry, work ethic, versatility

Overview: Athens’ offense showed up in Auburn Hills, providing a dozen runs each in games against rival Troy and Avondale to help the Red Hawks win their first district title since 2018. Boosting the odds of getting back there is the return of Leonard, who threw all of their playoff innings last year. Leonard, Pokley (Detroit Mercy), Weber and Cosgrove (Wayne State) combined for 10 of the team’s 17 hits in the district final, a good representation of the production back for Athens, who will be led by a former alumni in first-year head coach Kirtland. Ciara Lenz will play infield and could be another valuable bat that slots into the middle of the Red Hawks’ order.

West Bloomfield

Head coach: Tammy Lemieux

Last year’s record: 11-19

Returning starters: Charlie Bower (P/SS/CF, Sr.), Laiken Connor (C/1B, Sr.), Addie Morris (1B, Jr.), Ashleigh McGuire (OF/UT, Sr.), Morgan Christian (SS/C, So.)

Strengths: Experienced pitching, assistant coaches

Overview: Bower should eat up her share of innings, but the composed senior might be one of West Bloomfield’s best at the plate. That title could be best challenged by Christian, who led the team last year in both average and RBIs. Connor is a wall behind the dish who is an asset to the pitching staff, while Morris also provides lots of defensive value at first. The returning ballers will mix in with 10 others who have never played before.