Both the Paul VI Lady Panthers and the Bishop Ireton Lady Cardinals are off to excellent starts in the 2005 season.

Paul VI, coached by E.J. Thomas, has an overall record of 7-3.

"This is the most talented team that I've ever coached here at Paul VI," said Thomas.

Locally, the Panthers have defeated McLean and Falls Church twice. During the recent Easter break, PVI traveled to Myrtle Beach and participated in the "Grand Strand Tournament."

While in the Palmetto State, the Lady Panthers defeated Chester, N.Y., 2-1; Linden, N.J., 6-3; George Washington, W.Va., 9-1; and Valley Central, N.Y. 6-4. PVI has dropped games locally to O'Connell 2-0 and Ireton 16-6.

The Panthers participated in the Championship Game of the Grand Strand Tournament and dropped an 8-5 decision to F.D. Roosevelt, N.Y., 8-5.

Paul VI had to rally from a 4-3 deficit in the top of the seventh inning versus Valley Central (in the semi-finals) in order to earn their way into the Grand Strand Championship Game.

Katie Vasilas, Amanda Whalen and Devon Metcalf scored the fourth, fifth and sixth runs for PVI in the top of the seventh versus Valley Central, which propelled the Panthers to the title game.

Coach Thomas has the luxury of having two outstanding pitchers this season. Junior righthander Jenny Reager (4-1 record, 1.06 ERA, 25 strikeouts) and freshman righthander Julia Moore (3-2 record, 2.25 ERA, 26 strikeouts) still have a combined four varsity seasons remaining in their high school careers.

"My best pitches are my outside corner drop and my inside corner screwball," said Reager.

"Julia is very good power pitcher," said Thomas.

Anchoring the all important catching position is freshman Devon Metcalf. Senior Amanda Whalen (first base), freshman Kathryn Naylor (second base), sophomore Jackie Rogers (third base) and sophomore Maggie Prisinzano (shortstop) command the infield.

Senior Christine Casino (left field), junior Katie Vasilas (center field) and junior Patti Hinko (right field) command the outfield.

Senior Allie Woo would be a starter at second base, but the four-year varsity performer tore her "MCL" in game one. Woo is expected to be back in action in approximately 10-14 days.

Other key Panthers include seniors Angela Puentes and Lyn Rose Terpolilli, sophomore Kaitlynn Cannava and freshmen Lauren Goldstein and Natalia Gruenbaum.

Statistical leaders include: Whalen (.583), Metcalf (.483), Casino (.385), Vasilas (.364), Prisinzano (.355), Naylor (.350) and Rogers (.304).

Metcalf leads the team with five stolen bases. Whalen leads the team with a staggering .806 slug percentage and 11 RBI's. Whalen and the other four seniors are the PVI captains.

"Our responsibility is to get the girls focused at the beginning of the game. In order to win, a team has to play together. Our goal is to win the WCAC this season" said Whalen (first team All-WCAC in 2004).

"We've got two strong pitchers. We're strong defensively. Offensively, I've never had a team that has hit the ball as well as this team has hit it. At the same time, we are young. We're getting better with each game. There are no egos on this team. They have all bonded well and they are doing whatever it takes to help the team" stated coach Thomas (assisted by Tess Briggs).

Ireton, coached by Susan Flynn (second season), currently weighs in with an overall record of 5-2.

"We're a very young team this year," said Flynn, who led Ireton to the WCAC and V.I.S. runner-up trophy during the 2004 season.

Locally, the Cardinals have defeated Edison 8-2 and Paul VI 16-6.

During the recent Easter break, Ireton also traveled to Myrtle Beach and participated in the "Grand Strand Tournament." While in the Palmetto State, they defeated Mount de Sales, Md., 3-1; Ross, Ohio, 2-1; and Massillon, Ohio, 7-0. Ireton dropped games to Firestone, Ohio, 1-0; and Pickerington, Ohio, 3-1.

Ireton finished third in its bracket at Myrtle Beach. "I was very happy with our performance at the Grand Strand Tournament," said Flynn, who also has the luxury of two outstanding pitchers. Sophomore right hander Chrissy Sborz has generated a 5-1 record to date, with an ERA of .088 and 42 strikeouts.

"Chrissy has a real nice screwball and a very good split finger fast ball," said Flynn.

Freshman left hander Kristin Kelleher has a deceptive 0-1 record. "Kristin threw an excellent one hitter versus Firestone and [unbelievably] lost the game," said Flynn.

Sborz and Kelleher have a combined five varsity seasons still remaining in their careers.

Anchoring the all important catching position is junior Elise Lopez.

"The catcher is kind of like the captain on the field - you can see the entire field during the game" said Lopez.

Freshman Kristin Kelleher (first base), freshman Kim Saxton (second base), freshman Emily Smolak (third base) and senior co-captain Gina Cogliano (shortstop) command the infield.

"Mentally our three freshmen in the infield have to get a little bit stronger. They have to feel one another out," said Flynn.

Sophomore Sarah Thomas (left field), junior Caitlin Love (center field) and senior co-captain Courtney Cleaves (right field) command the outfield. Cleaves also played first base during the game that Kelleher pitched.

"As captains, Gina and myself have to look out for the younger girls. We always have to encourage them to do their best" said Courtney Cleaves. Other key Cardinals include: juniors Gillian Thompson and Lauren Brown, sophomore Laura Resetar and freshman Sarah Herbst. Statistical leaders include: Cogliano (.563), Lopez (.400), Kelleher (.400), Thompson (.364) and Saxton (.303).

Kelleher leads the team with seven RBI's and Love leads the team with five sacrifice bunts.

"Our record is pretty good," said three-year varsity member Lopez. "We have had a couple of heartbreaking losses this season, but we have been working hard."

"I love my kids," Flynn said. "I demand a lot out of them and they demand a lot out of themselves. We are hitting the ball better than I thought we would. We just need to be a little more consistent offensively. Defensively, we've got some good speed - especially Caitlin Love in center field. In my mind, O'Connell is still the team to beat. Having said that - I expect us to be there at the end of this season when it really counts."