Hillgrove's fast-pitch softball team accomplished many firsts in its third year as a varsity program. The Lady Hawks recorded a 25-12-1 overall record to win 20-or-more games for the first time in school history, they won their first region championship (7AAAA) after finishing the regular season with a 6-2 mark in the league, and they won a game in the state playoffs, finishing with a 1-2 postseason record.

So far, so good, according to coach Jason Campbell, who has scripted a formula for success for his program since Day 1.

"When you start from scratch, you hope to be competitive by years three and four," he said. "The fourth year is when you set your goals and standards really high and you try to reach them. We accomplished a lot last year and seem to be progressing as scheduled. This season we want to do more. We want to go to Columbus and win a state title."

The Lady Hawks shouldn't have any problems doing that as long as the team remains healthy. Although the squad lost starting pitcher Katie Hewitt and her batterymate, Alyssa Bork, to graduation, Hillgrove returns six starters, including three seniors, from last year's squad and all but one had a batting average above .300 on the season.

"The core of our team is still intact," Campbell said. "I think we're very experienced with excellent depth and a good mix of sophomores, juniors and seniors. This year could dictate how the future of the program plays out for Hillgrove."

Seniors Jenna Hollenkamp, Sarah Johnson and Kim McMillan are back to lead the Lady Hawks and all three are exceptional hitters. Hollenkamp, a shortstop, batted .321, while Johnson and McMillan hit .395 and .378 and will see action at second and first base, respectively. Third baseman Meredith Heyer, a sophomore, also returns, solidifying much of the infield. The big question mark for the Lady Hawks will be at catcher, where Bork held down the position.

"We have three potential catchers coming into this season and as I use them, it opens up another position," Campbell said. "The catcher spot will dictate my lineup."

Hillgrove's group of outfielders will be anchored by sophomore Maisie Steed, who hit .435 during the season and stole 24 bases.

"Maisie is coming off one of the best year's I've ever had from a player," Campbell said. "For a freshman to hit the way she did from the leadoff spot is pretty special."

Holding down the pitching group is junior Shelby Scott, who returns after being sidelined midseason.

"We faced some adversity mid-year after losing Shelby, so we fell back on Katie Hewitt to lead us," Campbell said. "We'll have another solid pitching core this year with Scott, Mikaela Scott, who's a sophomore, and Tori Levy, who's a freshman.

"There is a formula to consistency and to do that, you need to drag younger players along so they can experience that success along with the older players."

Success is sure to come for Hillgrove this season, which opens the year on Friday at Sandy Plains Park against Pope and Creekview as part of the Kell Invitational. As the defending Region 7AAAA champions, the Lady Hawks are the team to beat entering 2009, and Campbell wouldn't want it any other way.

"I think the girls feel the pressure of being region champions and making it to the state playoffs," he said. "We have the bullseye on our backs and we know this. But, we can't think about the pressure. We can't let it get to us. Hopefully, our players will respond early in the season and play the game the way they know how to play it.

"We're going to take it game by game, like we did last year, and rely on each other to get the job done."