While Becton gets that honor, the Lady Gaels are looking at going into the season with a mainly inexperienced senior group.

From last season’s team that made both the state and county tournament, but struggled to a 13-14, there are four starters that have returned led by senior outfielder Stephanie Spanarkel who was named to the third team All Bergen County and first team All BCSL National. She is joined by senior Lauren Zdanowski. Both will make up two of the stronger parts of the team. Both can either play left field and center field with Galka aligning them in either spot.

Spanarkel had a .300 batting average, a home run, 14 runs, 14 RBI with only two errors on the season and stealing seven bases. "While she puts up good numbers, she has improved in her defense and can get to the ball," said Galka. In Zdanowski, Galka sees a big improvement in her hitting and could be the team’s top offensive producer this season.

For 2008 Galka needs to replace the likes of graduated-seniors, pitcher Jessica Gomez and catcher Judi Mulrain who was second team All Bergen County last season.

In Gomez, Galka was still looking to replace her and had three possible replacements as of last week in seniors Kaitlin Wasylyk and Stephanie Serrao along with freshman Megan Maffei. Wasylyk was the backup pitcher to Gomez last season.

"We could possibly use all three pitchers this season," said Galka. "Kaitlin has a little advantage because she was the backup last season."

Leading the infield is senior second baseman Erin Moran. "Defensively she is very good and has been a starter for three years," said Galka about Moran. Some of the players that are battling for infield spots include junior Kylie Joe Dolan and freshman Vannessa Romero.

And defense and pitching are going to be the key this season especially with the loss of the offense of Gomez and Mulrain. "Defense is going to keep us in the games especially since we lost a lot of offense," said Galka.

Overall St. Mary’s has eight seniors on the team with some of them moving up from the junior varsity and others getting full time as a varsity starter.

Replacing Mulrain behind the plate is senior Ali Hild who played some outfield last season. Backing up Hild at catcher is freshman Luana Natalicio. Battling for a spot in outfield is senior Maggie Weigel.

One senior who Galka needs to get in the lineup is senior Carolina Stutz who has rebounded from an ACL injury at the end of last year. "She’s going to hit and we need her bat in the lineup," said Galka.

Despite the inexperienced team this season, St. Mary’s has not held back on a tough schedule that includes a brutal schedule of Emerson, Cedar Grove and IHA to start with Clifton, Mt. St. Dominic’s and West Milford later this season. "It’s never been to pull back on the games," said Galka about the tough schedule.

While the Lady Gaels look to get on top of the National, Galka sees Becton as the team to beat since they finished second in the division last season and have several players returning.