When the girls of Memorial softball kick off their 2007 campaign, head coach Dave Hedge has four solid reasons why he thinks they can make another appearance in the championship game.

With the third-year head coach relying on the arms of returning hurlers Kerry Webb, Rachel Hedge, Morgan Ziemba and Auburn’s Sara Murray, the Crusaders are indeed in line for another run at the Class L title.

“It’s very comforting to have that many returning pitchers,” said Hedge. “If one girl’s having a bad day, I know I have some depth behind her. I can rely on them in pressurepacked situations, too, since they were all a part of bringing last year’s team the farthest it’s ever gone in the playoffs.”

Murray, a junior, will anchor the rotation after pitching in a 1-0 loss in the finals against Salem last spring.

Murray needs to get used to pitching to someone other than batterymate Natalie Gendron, also of Auburn, who graduated last year.

The loss of five seniors, including Gendron and Hooksett’s Jenn Waldecker, last year’s biggest offensive threat, presents a tall task for Hedge. Though he loses a large chunk of 2006’s offense, Hedge said his defense will be just as strong.

Left fielder Kelsey Isham of Auburn brings back her catalytic, timely hitting to the lineup. The junior was one of the main reasons, said Hedge, the Crusaders made it to the finals. Senior Martha Routos provides a strong arm in center field, while shortstop Krystin Squires protects the diamond’s sweet spot.

“Martha has one of the strongest arms I’ve ever seen, male of female, in my entire coaching career,” said Hedge. “And Krystin is one heck of a shortstop and will probably be looked at as one of the best in the state. Kelsey was the quiet one who didn’t get the big double but got the bunt to drive in the tying run to keep us alive during the playoffs. She did some great things as a first-year varsity player, and she’ll do them again this year.”

With a healthy mix of veterans and underclassmen, Hedge said the program should be able to draw from a strong junior varsity program. He won’t, however, rely on past seasons to dictate current or future success.

“I mentioned last season once the first day of tryouts,” said Hedge.

“But that’s it. I want each team to define itself that year. Of course I want to get to the finals and win it, but the only way we move forward is to treat each individual game as the game of the year.”