Kylie Dingess

Severna Park, senior, pitcher

All eyes will be on this senior, who will replace multiyear All-County pitcher Marissa Heuer. In her relief appearances last spring, Dingess compiled an 0.72 ERA, striking out 32 batters. Now that she’s in the spotlight, coach Meredith McAlister believes she’ll be one of the top 10 pitchers in the state.

Haley Downin

Chesapeake-AA, senior, pitcher

The Cougars’ ace had 148 strikeouts, a 1.88 ERA and a 19-2 record last season. Combine that with her bat, hitting .663 with 51 runs, 14 doubles, three triples, four home runs, 37 RBIs and 17 stolen bases, and Chesapeake might have a shot for an even deeper run with Downin leading the charge. She had 61 hits, which would have been a state record if Campbell Kline hadn’t hit eight more.

Madison Gemmill

McDonogh, senior, catcher

Gemmill, a three-time All-IAAM selection, powered the Eagles to their first conference crown in nearly two decades with the winning run against Archbishop Spalding last season. Gemmill (.360 batting average, 21 RBIs and four home runs) is committed to Virginia Tech.

Abbie Heagy

Eastern Tech, senior, first baseman

Heagy is bound to remain in the Mavericks’ record books for a long time. The second-team All-Metro selection last spring batted .482 with 30 RBIs and will be key in turning last year’s Class 2A state finalists into this year’s 2A state champions.

Campbell Kline

Severna Park, senior, shortstop

Kline, a two-time Capital Gazette Softball Player of the Year and last year’s Gatorade Maryland Softball Player of the Year, batted .750 with 69 hits (state record), 53 runs, 12 doubles, six triples, eight home runs, 39 RBIs and 13 stolen bases. The Maryland commit is bringing an even faster swing to the plate this year, per McAlister, which she’ll need to get the 19 hits she needs to break another state record.

Lauren Marcotte

Centennial, junior, shortstop

The All-Howard County first-team member thrived with a .483 batting average and 25 RBIs last spring and helped turn five double plays. As the sun rises on a Centennial squad gaining more experience, Marcotte will be front and center.

Emma Ritter

John Carroll, center fielder, junior

Ritter, a two-time All-Metro first-team selection, sparked the Patriots’ IAAM A playoffs run with 36 RBIs, nine home runs, nine triples, seven doubles and 26 runs (.590). The Virginia Tech commit was equally sticky with the glove and on the base paths, robbing four would-be home runs at the wall and stealing 12 bases.

Amy Stetser

Glenelg, senior, pitcher

The Gladiators relied on Stetser’s arm last spring, and that isn’t likely to change this year. The multiyear first-team All-Howard County pitcher completed a 12-5 county record with a 2.33 ERA and 70 strikeouts over 89 1/3 innings.

Shaianne Turner

Glen Burnie, senior, utility

Fielding either corner of the diamond, Turner was equally effective for the Gophers last season. At the plate, she notched 32 RBIs, seven doubles, four triples and five home runs with a .640 batting average.

Kamryn Walker

Long Reach, senior, outfielder

Walker found consistency in her swing last spring to become one of Howard County’s most formidable sluggers. She topped the area’s batting leaders with a .733 average and 44 hits in league games.

Others to watch

Gabbi Baquol, Northeast, senior, infielder

Taylor Brumagin, Towson, junior, second baseman

Savannah Bucalo, Eastern Tech, senior, infielder

Miranda Burton, Eastern Tech, senior, catcher

Sydni Carroll, South Carroll, junior, outfielder

Kearstyn Chapman,

McDonogh, junior, pitcher-shortstop

Julia Colton, Howard, senior, outfielder

Madi Costigan, Marriotts Ridge, junior, pitcher

Madison Gentry, Arundel, pitcher, senior

Emma Hall, Severna Park, senior, third baseman

Megan Hamp, Sparrows Point, senior, third baseman

Megan Harman, Winters Mill, senior, infielder

Julia Harrison, Broadneck, junior, utility

Samantha Hobert, Howard, sophomore, pitcher

Sage Huber, Glenelg, sophomore, utility

Jenna Isaacson, Dulaney, senior, shortstop

Jordan Johnson,

Archbishop Spalding, senior, outfielder

Kassidy Johnson, Manchester Valley, junior, infielder

Emily Kain, Century, senior, outfielder

Brianna Kessler, Century, junior, infielder

Erin Kreis, Catonsville, senior, pitcher/outfielder

Jessie Leatherwood, Towson, senior, pitcher

Taylor Liguori, Hammond, senior, shortstop

Brooke McCormick, Glen Burnie, senior, catcher

Lauren Meyers, C. Milton Wright, senior, infielder

Jordan Nastos, Liberty, junior, catcher

Molly Nies, Marriotts Ridge, second baseman

Jerzie Nutile, Chesapeake-AA, sophomore, infielder

Hailey Ramberg, Long Reach, senior, catcher

Olivia Reardon, South Carroll, sophomore, shortstop

Meghan Reed, C. Milton Wright, junior, infielder

Angela Sena, Archbishop Spalding, senior, catcher

Jessica Smith, North Harford, senior, infielder

Tristyn Stewart,

Chesapeake-AA, sophomore, catcher

Don’ya Truesdale, Catonsville, junior, outfielder

Emma Zimmerman, Aberdeen, junior, catcher