Editor’s Note: This is the eighth in a preseason series on Eastern Maine high school baseball and softball teams. Today’s feature covers three Class D softball favorites and a dark horse.

After the sixteen games are played, and the season’s final Heal Points are out, feel sorry for the tournament teams who will be playing the away games.

They’re going to spend a lot of time on the bus.

In a class that stretches from Van Buren south to Deer Isle-Stonington and east to Machias, coaches may look for a playoff spot AND an opponent that won’t finish off the busing budget.

Fortunately, this season’s contenders will come from the fish-potato triangle’s interior at Jonesport-Beals, Katahdin, and Ashland.

Defending state champion Jonesport-Beals isn’t expecting a letdown due to graduation losses, which took the services of 13-0 hurler Sandi Carver.

But there is another Carver, and by all accounts, she’s just as lethal.

“I think Kristi just tries to be Kristi,” said coach Diane Clark of Sandi’s younger sister, who batted .630 last year, while pitching six games.

The Royalettes will return seven starters from last season’s 19-0 team, including catcher Stacey Beal, shortstop Courtney Bryant, and leadoff batter Heidi Stanhope, who had a .500 on-base average.

“I think we’re going to be strong defensively,” Clark said, while pointing to Beal as an example. “She is a great catcher. Not many people can steal on her, she’s got a great arm.”

Further north, Katahdin will be strong through the middle, returning pitcher Terri Craig, and catcher and cleanup batter Carrie Jo McNally.

Finishing atop the final Heal Point standings at 10-2, Katahdin fell to Ashland in the semifinals by virtue of a three-run, last-inning rally last season.

Returning a veteran infield, coach Terry Duffy worries more about offense than defense.

“My main concern is our hitting,” he said. “Will it be as good as last year?”

Pitching shouldn’t be a problem, as Craig pitched every important game last year, relying on control and better than average speed, Duffy said.

“I believe good pitching and defense will win games,” Duffy said. “We spend a lot of time in situations… drives the girls crazy but if they can execute, it will give them a better chance.”

Playing Machias and Jonesport-Beals in the preseason will give Becky Morris’ Hornets a good look at the competition they may face in June.

Armed with three pitchers, including junior Alicia Nason and Armed with three pitchers, including junior Alicia Nason and senior Beth Hunter, and nine returning players, Ashland seems a safe bet in the stretch.

“That’s the thing I worry about – injuries,” Morris said, noting her full team only carried 13 players. “Barring injuries, we should be in the playoffs.”

The Hornets look solid up the middle, with Renee Soucier returning to shortstop after missing last year due to a knee injury, catcher Jaymie O’Clair, and center fielder Erin Soucy returning from last season’s Eastern Maine runner-up.

Pulling up in the shadows of the contenders will be Machias and Central Aroostook of Mars Hill, who are armed with a modest mix of youth and experience.

“I have a lot of real strong freshmen that came up this year,” said Sara Hostetter, Machias’ second-year coach. “I have a lot of girls who are going to be able to fill spots real well.”

While freshmen and sophomores make up the bulk of the team, senior Leyla Sowerwine, and juniors Catherine Luce, Mary McDonald, and Jody Wood will pull the offensive and defensive load.

“I told them last year that I felt that we really fell short on offense,” Hostetter said, noting Sowerwine and outfielder Wood batted .320-plus last season.

Catcher Luce will be handling sophomore hurlers Sheri Pritchard and Jill McCarthy.

Central Aroostook returns five starters and will fill in the gaps with four freshmen, including pitcher Duska Hewitt’s twin, younger sisters: Spring, who will catch, and part-time pitcher/second baseman, Misty.

“I like feisty kids,” said coach Sylvanus Pierce. “They fight a lot but you need someone with a lot of spirit.”

Pierce also has a softspot for lefties, as his team features at least two in left fielder Katie Nelson, and first baseman Jenny Burtt.

“I think most people realize that we’ve got some kids down here,” Pierce said. “We might not be one of the ones that will be expected and I don’t know how we can handle Jonesport-Beals and some of the others …”

Only June will tell.