By Ed Letsinger

Runs could be few and far between this spring with the return of several top fast-pitch hurlers who figure to keep hits and scoring at a minimum.

In Division I, one of the best resides on the coaches’ preseason top-ranked team in Cincinnati in Lakota West senior Lindsey Bodeker, a University of Akron recruit.  Last season Bodeker helped lead the Firebirds to a record of 27-5 and state semifinal appearance by going 17-4 with an ERA of 0.50 and 254 strikeouts.

Fellow Greater Miami Conference rivals Hamilton and Fairfield have their own aces in seniors Jennifer McKee and Mindy Breitholle.  McKee was 21-3 a year ago with and ERA of 0.51 and 310 strikeouts while Breitholle was 16-4 with a 0.84 ERA.

The Fort Ancient Valley Conference has their own star pitcher in Karen Simmons of Loveland, a Northern Kentucky University recruit who was 19-3 last season with a 1.14 ERA and 228 strikeouts.

Among the small schools, Ross junior Anna Smith returns to the mound as the top pitcher after posting a record of 12-2 and ERA of 0.49 with 146 strikeouts while sharing time with since-graduated Angie Ramirez.  Smith played a large role in the Rams run to the Division II state championship game.  Reading junior Erin Dickman should also be primed for another big season after posting 15 wins last year with 196 strikeouts and 0.76 ERA.  Junior Casey Brookbank of Deer Park is back on the mound after recording 14 wins last season.

Northern Kentucky boasts one of the most dominating pitchers in the area in sophomore Kirsten Allen, who had a miniscule 0.08 ERA last year and over 100 strikeouts in leading the Raiders to the state tournament.  Dixie Heights junior Emily Kordenbrock is another top underclassman who could be primed for a big year on the mound.