By Justin A. Rice, Globe Correspondent

A game between two teams that qualified for the city tournament last spring got interesting Thursday when O’Bryant took a one-run lead against East Boston in the fourth inning at City Yards.

But after senior Gabby Martinez’s bunt scored two runners to give O’Bryant the lead, East Boston broke open the game with a four-run fourth before ultimately winning, 13-6.

The catalyst of East Boston’s big fourth inning was junior Kayla O’Brien, who scored the go-ahead run to make the score 4-3 just moments after being inserted into the lineup.

“I don’t think it’s really that hard, I’ve been playing my whole life,” O’Brien said of coming in off the bench. “I just love being in the game. I was just excited to get that run when we were down."

After drawing a walk, O’Brien was brought home by sophomore catcher Anamaria D’Argenio, who also had an RBI double in the Jets’ six-run sixth inning that iced the game.

“It worked out for me,” said East Boston JV coach Robin Sutera, who was filling in for varsity coach Tom Elliott (who had a death in the family). “I just felt like at that point I needed to change a little bit. She wanted to play.”

It didn’t hurt that East Boston logged 16 hits on the day.

“They hit very well,” Sutera said. “We did what we had to do today, we came to play today, we all did an awesome job.”

The win puts East Boston in the driver's seat to clinch the No. 1 seed out of the North division for the city tournament over Memorial Day weekend. East Boston is 3-6 overall but 2-0 against city league opponents.

“We try so hard to get to [the city tournament] and it’s a big thing for us,” said sophomore pitcher Danielle Elliott, who got the win for East Boston by striking out seven batters.

Kristen O’Brien struck out five in a losing effort for O’Bryant (7-2) while Naya Shedd had an RBI and scored two runs.

“We came in really prepared, really excited, we wanted the game really bad,” O’Bryant coach Bridget Ryan said, “and I thought we played lights-out phenomenal up until the bottom of the sixth inning. Couple of passed balls, [gave up] some really nice hits. But we played well and we have to be happy about that."

Justin A. Rice covers Boston Public school athletics. He can be reached at jrice.globe@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @GlobeJustinRice or @BPSspts.

The following are the most recent makeup dates for BPS baseball and softball games:

-O’Bryant vs. Boston International at Fallon Field, varsity only, at 3:30 p.m. on May 23.

-West Roxbury vs Boston International varsity baseball at Fallon Field at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.

-Latin Academy vs East Boston varsity baseball at East Boston at 3:30 p.m. on May 6.

-Brighton vs Boston English varsity baseball at Rogers Park at 3:30 p.m. on April 29.

-Brighton vs. Boston English JV baseball at McKinney Field at 3:30 p.m. on April 29.

-Dorchester at Burke varsity softball at Casey Field at 3:30 p.m. on May 21.

-South Boston vs Cathedral varsity baseball at 3:30 p.m. at King Field on May 2.

-Dorchester vs. New Mission varsity baseball at 3:30 p.m. at Ross Field on May 20.

-Latin Academy vs. South Boston varsity baseball at King Field at 3 p.m. on May 21.

-Fenway vs Madison Park varsity softball at Madison Park at 4 p.m. on May 24.

The following baseball and softball games have been rescheduled:

-West Roxbury vs. Boston International varsity softball was rescheduled from April 12 to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday at Hemenway field.

-Snowden and New Mission varsity baseball was rescheduled from April 1 to 3:30 p.m. at Ross Field on Thursday.

-Brighton vs Boston English varsity baseball was rescheduled from April 12 to next Monday at 3:30 p.m. at Rogers Park. The JV teams will play at 3:30 p.m. next Monday at McKinney Field.

-Madison Park vs. West Roxbury was moved from April 12 to May 13 at Jefferson Field. Both JV and varsity games start at 3 p.m.

By Justin A. Rice, Globe Correspondent

Snowden at Dorchester, 3:30 p.m. Monday

In their first game after spring break, both Snowden and Dorchester will try to not only try to shake off the rust on Monday afternoon but also try to get back to business as usual after last week’s Boston Marathon bombing.

Dorchester is 1-1 with a win against Madison Park and a one-run loss to New Mission. Snowden beat Fenway before ending its game against Madison Park in a 13-13 tie.

Fenway at Madison Park, 4 p.m. Wednesday

Madison Park is still searching for its first win of the season and a game against 0-3 Fenway could be just what the Cardinals need to get going.

Madison Park’s last outing was a 26-14 loss to Burke and they have also lost to Dorchester. Fenway has given up more than 20 runs twice in losses to Snowden, Burke and O’Bryant this year.

O’Bryant at New Mission, 3:30 p.m. Wednesday

Testing itself against the gold standard in the Boston City League, Latin Academy, on April 8, New Mission’s revamped softball squad fell 11-1. Now the Titans will be looking to get back on track against another city league softball power, O’Bryant, on Wednesday.

But O’Bryant is also coming off a 6-2 loss against Latin Academy and will be trying to end a two-game slide against the Titans on Wednesday.

Justin A. Rice covers Boston Public school athletics. He can be reached at jrice.globe@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @GlobeJustinRice or @BPSspts.

After suffering a season-ending shoulder injury while hitting a home run last season, Sydney Cunningham is back in the South Boston lineup this spring (Billy Owens / For the Boston Globe).

By Justin A. Rice, Globe Correspondent

The loudest crack when hitting a home run is usually that of the bat. The most delightful play in softball also should be just that: delightful.

Not painful.

That wasn’t the case for Sydney Cunningham in the fourth game of the season last spring.

“It was against Brighton High, I hit a home run and my [left] shoulder had rotated back,” the South Boston senior recalled after the Knights' opening day loss to Latin Academy last week. “My rotator cuff got bruised so I couldn’t play. It still clicks now.

“I heard the crack of my rotator cuff grinding together and it was just horrendous, I was on the verge of crying.”

Cunningham, who spent all of last season rehabbing her shoulder and was unable to bring herself to attend South Boston’s game on the days she didn’t have physical therapy, couldn’t even watch the Knights' 24-12 loss to Brighton in the preliminary round of the Division 3 North state tournament last spring.

Now she couldn’t be more thrilled to be back in the lineup.

“It felt so good,” she said after the 16-0 loss to Latin Academy. “Being able to put the uniform back on is an amazing feeling. It’s my senior year, it’s my last year. I’m going to go all out for the chance and hopefully play when I enter college.”

First, Cunningham, who carries a 3.6 GPA, will enlist in the Air Force for two years, she said.

For now though, the righthander is learning how to play shortstop. Despite the fact that she was the team’s starting first baseman in her freshman and sophomore years and for the first four games of last year, Cunningham and her coach, Mary Linehan, felt she would feel more comfortable at short this year.

But the transition is an adjustment.

“It’s just because I was feeling pressure [at first base] and I have a really good throwing arm so it would be a lot more easier for me to play [short],” she said. “It’s crazy, I’m learning how to maneuver from first to shortstop. I was trained on first, so it’s more difficult being trained on a different position.

"There’s more pressure on first than there is on shortstop, but I feel a lot more free.”

Linehan said she’s hoping freshman Americle Ogarro will fill the void at first base.

“She’s a great first baseman but I’m hoping she will do well at shortstop,” Linehan said of Cunningham. “She has a strong arm. Hopefully we can train somebody else at first. We’ll see what happens. We’re a young team.”

Overall, Linehan is just happy to have Cunningham back in the lineup.

“She’s a very strong player in our lineup and I’m very excited to have her back this year,” Linehan said. “I hope she can keep her shoulder good so she stays the entire year. It’s very exciting. I coached her since she was a freshman. Last year we really missed her. The whole team missed her. It’s too bad too because we went to the playoffs last year.”

Linehan said more than her fielding and hitting ability, the team missed Cunningham’s leadership.

“Definitely her leadership and how she helps the freshman,” she said. “She’s always encouraging the freshmen: ‘You can do it, you can do it.’

“She’s a good kid.”

Cunningham’s goal is to make it back to the state tournament, which she played in as a freshman.

“It was a good feeling to be in states my freshman year on a varsity team,” Cunningham said. “It would take our heart and soul to get into states [this year]. It would mean everything to go to states my senior year.”

Justin A. Rice covers Boston Public school athletics. He can be reached at jrice.globe@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @GlobeJustinRice or @BPSspts.

By Justin A. Rice, Globe Correspondent

Latin Academy at New Mission, 3:30 p.m. Monday

While Latin Academy is no doubt the gold standard for girls softball in the city league, New Mission is on the rise this season and could pull off the upset.

The Titans, who are coached by boys’ basketball coach Cory McCarthy, inherited athletes from Boston Community Leadership Academy this year. And it has not paid off more than in softball, where 12 of the teams 18 players are from BCLA.

Dorchester at West Roxbury, 3:30 p.m. Wednesday

Coached by football coach Rich Moran, Dorchester sits atop the South division with Latin Academy in the city league after starting the season with a 24-13 win against Madison Park.

They will look to continue their success against a young West Roxbury team on Wednesday.

Snowden at South Boston, 3:30 p.m. Thursday

Snowden has got its bats going early this year with a 16-4 season-opening victory against Fenway.

South Boston is looking for its first win of the season behind senior infielder Sydney Cunningham, who returned to the lineup last week after suffering a season-ending injury in the fourth game of the season last year.

Justin A. Rice covers Boston Public school athletics. He can be reached at jrice.globe@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @GlobeJustinRice or @BPSspts.

Boston Latin senior Kim Miller made solid contact with this pitch during the Wolfpack's 4-0 season-opening victory against Latin Academy on Friday afternoon. (Pavel Dzemianok / For the Boston Globe)

By Justin A. Rice, Globe Correspondent

Boston Latin got off to a fast start in its softball season-opening shutout against Latin Academy on Friday afternoon at Daisy Field in Jamaica Plain.

The Wolfpack scored two quick runs after their first four batters of the game got on base before they added a run in the third and another in the fifth to close out the 4-0 victory.

“We’ve been waiting for this day since the end of last season so we were excited from the start, which really helped our game today," said senior left fielder Mallory O’Brien, who hit 2 for 3 with two RBIs and a run scored. “You have the set the tone right from the start and we did that today.”

Junior pitcher Caitlyn Berry got the win by striking out seven hitters walking none. Her defense committed only one error behind her.

“I know they are a great team,” Berry said. “It’s difficult playing against them because I know them and I don’t want to hurt any of them.”

Tim Holland, who is in his 12th season coaching the Wolfpack, said Latin Academy (1-2) has only beaten them once during his tenure.

“It was great, we got two in the first,” Holland said. “But then Latin Academy played fantastic. Any time we threatened they made a bunch of plays; in the outfield, at second, the throw at third. We had to chip away at it but we were fortunately very, very tough.

In the fourth inning sophomore second baseman Julieanne Coleman knocked down a hard hit short hop before throwing senior Mary Demora out at first. That defensive effort was only topped in the third inning when junior left fielder Colby Cahill threw out junior Bridget Walsh at third.

“I couldn’t catch the ball so I just grabbed it [off the hop] and I knew I had the arm to make it so I just threw it right to [Eliza Laden-Mauro] like I always do,” said Cahill, who also caught two deep fly balls. “I thought we did a really good in the outfield but we could use a little bit more effort. We have to get those bats swinging. We have to work on that.”

O’Brien was impressed with Latin Academy’s defensive effort.

“Their D is better than any years we’ve seen it so good for them,” she said.

And even though they scored four runs, Latin School also said they need to improve their offense.

“Their pitcher did a fantastic job against us,” Holland said of senior Sydney McGrath, who struck out one and walked three but retired the side after three hitters in both the second and sixth innings. “We see pitching like that in the DCL, every team has a good pitcher and they hit up and down the lineup so we need to get a lot of runs.

“We can’t miss any opportunity.”

Latin Academy coach Rocco Zizza said the loss will only make his team better.

“We love playing up like this, I wish we played them 20 times a year because you usually tend to play to the level of your competition,” Zizza said. “They are in a great league, they play a great schedule. We wish we were them in certain ways. We would love to play that type of schedule where it forces us to get better.

“We have some great athletes and we just need to play some high quality competition to get better. … Games like this will make us better. We don’t schedule wins. A lot of coaches try to schedule wins. We try to schedule the toughest games possible in order to make us better.”

Justin A. Rice covers Boston Public school athletics. He can be reached at jrice.globe@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @GlobeJustinRice or @BPSspts.

A.J. Soares was one of several New England Revolution players who walked the catwalk at BOND on Wednesday night to help raise money for American SCORES Boston. (Photo courtesy of Mike Diskin)

By Justin A. Rice, Globe Correspondent

New England Revolution players, wives, and girlfriends modeled looks from Ted Baker London’s spring/summer line to raise money for America SCORES Boston on Wednesday night at BOND at The Langham Hotel in downtown Boston.

America SCORES Boston partners with elementary and middle schools in Boston public schools to provide team-based programs that integrates soccer, poetry and service-learning.

To watch a video of the fashion show click here.

Revolution players Darrius Barnes, Andy Dorman, Lee Nguyen, Saer Sene, Clyde Simms, and A.J. Soares, joined by team wives and members of the Rev Girls promotions team on the runway.

The event was emceed by WHDH-TV Anchor Sarah French.

Justin A. Rice covers Boston Public School athletics. He can be reached at jrice.globe@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @GlobeJustinRice or @BPSspts.

By Justin A. Rice, Globe Correspondent

When it rained it literally poured on the Brighton girls’ softball team during its home opening loss to O’Bryant on Monday afternoon at Cassidy Playground in Cleveland Circle.

A driving rain came down as the Tigers put the finishing touches on a seven-run opening inning of their 19-1 victory that was called due to lightning.

Even though the rain stopped during the second inning, O’Bryant’s runs didn’t.

The Tigers (1-0) added another six runs in both the second and the third before lightning struck and both coaches agreed to allow the game to go into the books.

“I don’t think waiting another inning will make enough of a difference so it didn’t make sense for us to suffer and also there was lightning so it was dangerous,” Brighton coach Victoria Barbato said.

O’Bryant junior catcher Yonetta Harris, who went 2 for 3 with a double, said it wasn’t the ideal way to win.

“No it’s not but we’ll take the win,” she said moments after more lightening flashed. “We need to get home safe.”

Harris was also shocked by how well they played in the opening inning.

“The first inning, it was amazing,” she said. “I didn’t think we were going to do that well in
the beginning. I’m really proud of my team because a few girls are new.”

Most of O’Bryant’s runs came off of past balls or wild pitchers and Barbato said they are going to spend the coming days shoring up their battery.

“It was a learning day," Barbato said. "We only got two days practicing outside and only two days practicing with our varsity team..

Barbato noted that a lot of their best players from last year were from Boston Community Leadership Academy, which now plays for New Mission.

“So we’re still working out those kinks." she said. "So I’m not discouraged by it and they don’t seem discouraged by it so we’re just taking it as it is.”

Brighton’s bats settled in a bit after both of O"Bryant's scoring barrages. They got one run back in the first inning and in the second inning collected three hits but failed to bring in a run.

O’Bryant coach Bridget Ryan said her team’s bats started coming alive in the middle of last season and she was glad to see the offense continue on opening day.

“It was great, we played really well, we were patient hitting the ball and we ran the bases well, stealing, just being really knowledgeable of where they were and where the ball was,” she said. “It’s cold but at least we got the game in and it was official."

Justin A. Rice covers Boston Public school athletics. He can be reached at jrice.globe@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @GlobeJustinRice or @BPSspts.

NORTH DIVISION

East Boston

Coach: Thomas Elliot (27th year)

Last year: 12-9

Strengths: As always, the Jets will bring it from the pitching circle. They might not strike out the side each time out, but they throw strikes, coach Thomas Elliot said.

Concerns: The Jets graduated their shortstop, second baseman and best outfielder from last year’s team.

Outlook: The Jets look to get back to the city championship this spring and avenge their loss to Latin Academy in the title game.

“I believe we are going to make it back to the city playoffs and the state tournament,” Elliot said. “The outlook is looking pretty good overall it’s just a matter of coach Elliot putting it all together with the kids.

“They are a great group of girls. So far they have been showing a positive attitude for the first two weeks of practice. I think their spirit and enthusiasm will carry us.”

Elliot also expects senior utility player Amanda Pomer to step up into the starting lineup this year.

Returning starters: Junior pitcher Stephanie Rizzo, sophomore pitcher Daniel Elliot, sophomore catcher Annamaria Dargenio, senior center fielder Vanessa Vernadie, junior outfielder Hannah Lunetta.

O’Bryant

Coach: Bridget Ryan (second year)

Last year: 11-8

Strengths: All but three players from last year’s squad are back for more this spring. The team will feature six returning seniors and has a strong junior class.

Concerns: Like most spring coaches, O’Bryant coach Bridget Ryan is worried that the lack of outdoor practice time has put them behind this spring.

Outlook: Minus three seniors from last year’s squad that made the city tournament for the second straight year, O’Bryant returns almost its entire squad from last year. Not only that, many of the returning players honed their skills in summer and fall leagues after last season.

“The kids have a lot of heart and desire and they work really hard,” Ryan said. “A lot of them play in the off-season, in fall, summer and spring leagues. It’s huge because their arms are warmed up; they’ve been hitting, I had a lot of kids that have been to the batting cages.”

Ryan said last year she got the job late in the year and this year she already has a jump on the season. In her first year, Ryan lost to Latin Academy in the first round of the city championships.

“I think we have a great chance of getting back to the city championships again this year and definitely making states,” Ryan said. “Last year, I was hired really late; I got hired and the next day schedules were due. I didn’t get a chance to look at who we played.

“This year we are playing Randolph, we are going to Martha’s Vineyard. Our JV team has almost 15 games. Last year they had five because of all the rain.”

Returning starters: Senior pitcher Kristen O’Brien, senior shortstop Valerie Nieves, senior first baseman Iryelis Lopez, sophomore center field Irgi Budo, senior left fielder Arlette Reyes, eighth grade second baseman Naya Shed, junior catcher Netta Harris.

Burke

Coach: Joanne Lee Nieves

Last year: 7-8

Strengths: The Bulldogs have a solid group of veteran seniors returning to the team this spring.

Concerns: As usual, pitching and outfielders will be an issue for Burke.

Outlook: Last year’s team just missed making the state tournament by one game, and this year's squad is looking to go .500.

“Maybe a little bit better this year,” coach Joanne Lee Nieves said. “Half of the team is going to be veterans and the other half will be ninth graders. At least six ninth graders. So it’s going to be partially a lot of teaching this year and getting ready for next year.”

She said she has five veterans who can help teach the freshman.

“That’s the good part about it,” she said. “I’m hoping that is going to be my strength, because the rest are all brand new.”

Returning starters: Senior catcher and pitcher Brenda Calderon, senior first baseman Merline Aherents, senior shortstop Whanellely Guerro, senior third baseman Rene Pierre, senior pitcher Madorah Sesay

Fenway

Coach: Joseph Cheung (seventh year)

Last year: 4-12

Strengths: Despite their lack of check marks in the W column last year, Fenway is one of the most enthusiastic and supportive teams in the city league. They also feature the Escolero twins (Lorena and Laura) who helped Fenway’s basketball team win a state championship this winter for the second straight year.

Concerns: The Panthers will play a young team with only one returning senior this spring and two returning juniors. But while they are learning the game for the first time, they are eager to learn, coach Joseph Cheung said.

Outlook: Cheung not only hopes that the success of the Fenway girls’ basketball team rubs off on his team, he also hopes that their star player, Tajanay Veiga-Lee, comes out for softball this spring.

“I think that the basketball team obviously sets the gold standard for our school athletics and we just want to continue that positive energy and do the best we can and really represent our school in a way we can be proud of,” Cheung said.

“I have [Veiga-Lee] in class. I teach the seniors. I spoke to her. I still haven’t seen paperwork. I don’t want to get my hopes up. … I assume she is pretty good. She told me ever since she was a freshman she used to play baseball.”

Veiga-Lee, who said during the basketball season that she wanted to pay softball for the first time this spring, is still waiting to hear back from colleges about basketball scholarships and is unsure if she will play for the softball team. She recently worked out for Providence College.

Returning starters: Sophomore second baseman Laura Escolero, sophomore shortstop Lauren Escolero, junior first baseman and outfield Ariana Martinez, sophomore pitcher Deja Casiano, sophomore left field third baseman Kayleen Gomez, sophomore outfielder Khadeejah Peete, senior pitcher Malaysia Thomas, sophomore right fielder Vanesa Guevara.

Madison Park

Coach: Gladys Perez-Byrd (23rd season)

Last year: 9-6

Strengths: While only four players return to the Cardinals program that lost in the first round of state tournament last spring, the team should remain a cohesive unit as many of the same players also play volleyball in the fall together for coach Gladys Perez-Byrd.

Concerns: After graduating seven seniors last year, Madison Park lost its best pitcher, catcher, shortstop and center fielder.

Outlook: Despite the team's lack of experience, Madison Park is always an athletic team with a shot at making the city tournament every year.

“That would be our ultimate goal as a team, that’s usually what we’re striving for,” said Perez-Byrd’s, whose team last made the city tournament two years ago. “I honestly have no idea [if we can get back]. The middle of my field is weak and that’s where you have to be strongest. I’m training everything up the middle from catcher to pitcher to center field to shortstop so it’s going to be a tough year for us.”

But many of the players play volleyball for Perez-Byrd as well.

“The kids know each other, they trust each other, they get along well with each other,” she said. “They are a super group of kids. They are willing to learn from each other. I’ve manged to instill in them always help each other out.”

Returning starters: Senior first base Krystal Edwards, senior utility Dayna Santana, junior second baseman Katira Andujar.

Snowden

Coach: June Robinson

Last year: 8-8

Strengths: Snowden looks to return five key players from last year’s squad that qualified for the state tournament.

Concerns: At the same time, Snowden will have a lot of new players this spring just learning the basics of the game.

Outlook: With a veteran coach, Snowden is always a team to look out for given that June Robinson is used to working with new batches of players.
“I think we’ll probably have a lot of new girls,” she said. “I usually carry 15 [players]. I’ll have five girls with experience.”

Returning starters: Junior utility Stephanie Morales, junior infielder Anna Ortiz, junior infielder Alexandria Deler, senior pitcher Cheyenne Sulfaro

SOUTH DIVISION

Latin Academy

Coach: Rocco Zizza (eighth year)

Last year: 12-10

Strengths: The defending city champions five seasons running return eight starting position players as well as three pitchers from last year’s squad. That includes senior pitcher Sydney McGrath, who is 32-0 when pitching against city teams.

Concerns: Latin Academy’s home field Playstead Park is still undergoing renovations so the Dragons will be displaced once again this spring, playing their home games at Malcolm X Field.

Outlook: As always, the Dragons are the favorites to win the city championships. But Zizza says their biggest challenge will be to maintain consistency against city league and non-league opponents as Latin Academy traditionally struggles against teams outside the city.

Last year, they lost in the second round of the state tournament to Marion.

“It’s par for us to play very good softball and not have a very impressive record because 14 of our games are outside the city,” Zizza said. “The thing is I tell the kids ‘Try hard and give a consistent effort and consistently improve.’ Those are the two most things we strive for and a lot of times our record does not dictate that.”

Returning starters: Senior pitcher Sydney McGrath, senior catcher Aurora O’Brien, senior first baseman Virginia McCaughey, sophomore second baseman sophomore Juliann Coleman, junior shortstop Rachel Kerrigan, junior third baseman Eliza Laden Mauro, junior left fielder Colby Cahill, junior center fielder Rachel Wells, freshman right field Anna Kopp, sophomore designated hitter Alexis Kenney.

Brighton

Varsity Coach: Victoria Barbato (first year)

Last year: 9-9

Strengths: The Bengals’ biggest strength is that the team draws upon three different schools: Brighton High, Another Course to College and the Mary Lyons School.

Concerns: At the same time, however, the team loses players from Boston Community Leadership Academy, which is now playing with New Mission in Hyde Park.

Outlook: Last year, Brighton beat South Boston 24-12 in the preliminary round of the Division 3 North state tournament before losing to Greater Lowell 23-0 in the first round. But many of the leaders on that team attend BCLA and will play for New Mission this year, meaning this year will be a rebuilding year for the Bengals.

“We will miss those players who have grown up in our program,” Brighton coach Victoria Barbato said via email. “This year, we will be focusing on training new players and educating them on the game. … We are looking at this year as a learning year and a year for our girls to form relationships with each other that will allow them to function as a solid whole.

“At the same time, we are excited to welcome more girls from the Mary Lyons school who have a lot of experience in the sport and have a lot to offer in terms of skill level. We also look forward to discovering new talent and having space to welcome new girls who have wanted to play in the past but have thought they couldn’t make it. We are very optimistic about our season!”

Returning starters: Senior second baseman Kristiana Torres, senior pitcher and left fielder Crystal Figueroa, senior first baseman and center fielder Christy Cruz.

Dorchester

Coach: Richard Moran (sixth year)

Last year: 9-6

Strengths: After being knocked out of the first round of the state tournament last year, Dorchester returns a number of starters from last spring, including two seniors.

Concerns: Unfortunately for the Bears, they did lose last year’s main pitcher, catcher and first baseman.

Outlook: Dorchester coach Rich Mora also coaches football at the school. This past fall, Dorchester came from nowhere to go undefeated during the regular season before losing in the Super Bowl. He hopes to repeat that magic on the softball diamond this spring.

The school’s boys’ basketball team also went to the city tournament this winter.

“I think it has [rubbed off],” he said. “This year especially, the football and the basketball and track teams did well. I’m a firm believer in that. I think it does [rub off]. I don’t think it’s me personally. I think establishing a winning tradition there is a carryover. I think it has. Whether it feeds into the girls I don’t know. So I hope so. I try to bring that.”

But it will be tough to do without last season’s pitcher, catcher and first baseman.

“We have to try to fill them, pitcher, catcher and first base, those are the big things with softball,” Moran said. “We’ll find somebody. Softball is like football in that it’s always an adventure.

“The biggest problem is kids don’t play a lot. Softball and baseball you have to have been playing since you were eight. Football, if you are tough and have a little heart you can find a spot for them. The girls have to play for a long time to be good. I’m teaching kids to catch, throw.”

Returning starters: Senior third baseman Jeanette Sepulveea, sophomore shortstop Jasmine Sudau.

Boston English

Coach: Jenelle Corey (first year)

Last year: 1-10

Strengths: Last year’s record is not an indication of the talent and heart among English’s returning players. The new players also have a lot of potential according to first-year coach Jenelle Corey.

Concerns: Learning how to win will be an issue for English.

Outlook: First-year softball coach Janelle Corey is also a first-year chemistry teacher at the school. She played high school softball in California but couldn’t continue in college because she injured her shoulder.

Her enthusiasm matches a English squad that lobbied the athletic department to have its team reinstated last year after the team was slated to be shut down for forfeiting too many games the previous year.

“I’m excited to see where we go with it this year,” Corey said. “I personally don’t know a lot of about the other teams since I’m new to the area but I’m excited to see what we can do this year compared to last year.

“My approach is just to work on fundamentals and expand from there. That’s our approach. We’ve been working really hard on fundamentals and now we’re going to see what happens this next week coming up in our first game; to see if we can translate that into a win on the field.”

This is also Corey’s first year as a head coach.

“I’m sure that there will be new challenges but I’m really excited about it,” she said. “I’m excited to meet all those challenges and the high bar of a head coach.”

Returning starters: Junior catcher Heidy Barriero, sophomore pitcher Nelsy Barriero, senior first baseman Olga Pena, junior shortstop Lorena Labour, junior second baseman Niurkys Arias, senior third baseman Zaidy Santiago

South Boston

Coach: Mary Linehan (sixth year)

Last year: 11-7

Strengths: Senior first baseman Sydney Cunningham returns to the lineup for the first time after getting injured in the fourth game of the season last year. Nevertheless, last year’s team found a lot of success during the regular season before losing to Brighton in the first round of states.

Concerns: South Boston only returns one player from last year’s team after graduating seven seniors.

Outlook: Despite losing most of her team to graduation, South Boston coach Mary Linehan remains hopeful.

“I’m hoping that we come around,” she said. “If we get into the playoffs that would be great. That’s what we’re going to try for but I don’t know how the other teams will be looking. I think everybody is in the same boat. A lot of people graduated quite a few players.

“Honestly I don’t know what my team is going to look like. I’m not sure but I’m hopeful I can pick up some of the kids who played baseball, maybe some volleyball players. I am definitely going to need a pitcher, catcher; the whole nine yards.”

Returning starters: Senior first baseman Sydney Cunningham.

West Roxbury

Coach: Grace Diggs (27th year)

Last year: 5-5

Strengths: West Roxbury returns six solid players from last year that look to make their mark this season. They all have played for two or three years.

Concerns: Coach Grace Diggs worries about competing against her players' other conflicts, including jobs, school work and social commitments.

Outlook: West Roxbury only graduated one or two seniors last year and if everyone returns to the diamond this spring they could be a team to contend with.

“That’s the if,” Diggs said. “Some of them have jobs and say they can’t make this game and boyfriends and all that stuff. I would say if everyone comes back who was there it would be [a good season.]”

Returning starters: Senior pitcher Marissa Serette, senior left fielder/shortstop Cathy Lopez, senior first baseman/catcher Selena Gonzalez, senior catcher/shortstop Nadia Ellis, senior second baseman Nekia Ellis, senior center fielder Mackala McPherson, and senior right fielder Kathy Chavez.

New Mission

Coach: Cory McCarthy (sixth year)

Last year: 7-9

Strengths: Power and pitching will be New Mission’s strengths this year.

Concerns: The Titans graduated their All-Star catcher from last season and coach Cory McCarthy also worries about his team’s mental toughness.

Outlook: After losing 10 seniors from last year’ squad, New Mission inherits 12 players from Boston Community Leadership Academy that played for a Brighton last year. That Brighton team beat South Boston in the state tournament.

In fact, those 12 players make up the majority of the team’s 18-girl roster.

“I expect a very strong year from us because we have two players that can play every position,” coach Cory McCarthy said of freshmen Katy Koftigen and Samantha Olivencia.

Alison Davey will be a strong anchor for the Titans behind the plate and the Titans have three good pitchers, including senior Nicole Sandell.

“She is blazing fast,” McCarthy said.

Returning starters: Junior pitcher Nichole Beatty.