Finding that winning hurler on the mound will be the goal of local scholastic softball teams this spring. At The Bishop’s School, head coach Jim Buechler has nine returning players. Bishop’s finished 18-6 last season and reached the CIF semifinals. The 2009 squad will feature an experienced battery in senior pitcher Natalie Camarda and junior catcher Briana Martinez, a member of this year’s CIF championship basketball team. Also returning is junior slugger Gabby Salerno. “While a young team, including five freshmen and only two seniors, we should be competitive in a tough Coastal South League featuring three-time CIF champion Francis Parker,” Buechler said. At neighboring La Jolla Country Day School, the Lady Torreys under head coach Corinne Brunn went 7-10 (2-8 in league play) last season. Players to watch this season include three-year starting pitcher Brittney Dawson, newcomers Katie and Megan Woods, third baseman Chemayne Shipley and seniors Patricia Flathers and Carly Murk. “We will be playing in the Coastal North for softball and expect to have a very good season,” Brunn noted. La Jolla High and head coach Ken Davis will look to rebound from last season’s 7-20 campaign. Key players this spring include sophomore Rachel Skinner (pitcher), senior Alyssa Taylor (shortstop), sophomore Onezia Berotte (third base), freshman Amber Urias (second base/pitcher) and sophomore Anna Parma (catcher). “We will do a lot better this season than last year,” Davis commented. “We’re more focused, more experienced; last year we were mostly freshmen. Our confidence level is up, and we’re swinging the bats well. So far, this year as a team we are hitting much better, with six home runs in four games.” At University City (UC) High, the Lady Centurions went 17-8-2 (11-3 in Western League play) last spring for head coach Mike Roberts. UC opened non-league play this season with a 6-1 loss to Torrey Pines High.