High school softball programs can open their seasons Monday. Here's a look at the programs on the Northside, the top players in the area and some early season games to keep an eye on:

Teams

1. Bishop Chatard: The Trojans return all nine starters from a 12-14 team, including experienced pitchers in Amy Coutz and Molly Kilbane and sophomore All-City shortstop Casey Williamson, who hit .452 with 10 extra-base hits, 28 RBIs, 23 runs and 20 steals last season. Expect Bishop Chatard to compete for City and sectional titles.

2. Cathedral: Ed Roessler takes over the Irish after a 10-11 season with top pitcher and hitter Karley Olson (9-8, 3.18 earned-run average) returning as a sophomore. Cathedral also will be relying on shortstop Adrienne Sahm, third baseman Chelsea Finnigan and outfielders Kate Hendrickson, Katrina Rohrer and Taylar Marshall.

3. North Central: The Panthers return four starters from a 9-16 team, including sophomore first baseman Kelly O'Neal, who hit .371 and led the team in RBIs and on-base percentage, and senior shortstop Ali Patterson, the team leader in runs. Rachel Vaughn, a transfer from Decatur Central, will lead a pitching staff that includes Laura Nahas and Maggie Ellis.

4. Lawrence Central: Coach Tom Corbett returns an experienced nucleus from a 9-16 team, led by all-conference and all-county first baseman Amber Leonhard (.408) as well as .300 hitters in catcher Danielle Amerman, second baseman Erin Pollom and center fielder Genelle Eggleston. Allie Nash returns after throwing nearly every inning last season but will get some support this year from Brooke Williams, who is returning from an injury.

5. Pike: Johnathan Grismore takes over the Red Devils on an interim basis, looking to maintain the team's success last year despite the loss of pitcher Lauren Elmore, a four-year starter. Pitcher/shortstop Courtney Reed (.352) and pitcher/second baseman Storm Wilson (.333) will lead the way.

6. Brebeuf Jesuit: The top team on the Northside last year lost pitcher Ashley Campbell, the best player in program history. First-year coach Mike Welsh will have some offense to build around, led by outfielder/second baseman Ellen Shapiro, who hit more than .400 as a freshman, and catcher Brittany Schlater. Alex Stewart, Megan Carroll and Hillary Porter will look to take over duties on the mound.

7. Heritage Christian: Former Lawrence North coach Rich Bailey takes over an Eagles team that was 4-12 last year but returns seven players with starting experience, including pitcher and .300-hitter Laura Mumme.

8. Lawrence North: The Wildcats have a new coach in former Butler University star Jamie Bradley and eight players returning with experience from last season's 2-22 team. The Wildcats will be led by seniors, including pitcher Brittany Anderson and outfielders Kaycee Fulling, Kaitlin Ulmer and Diana Winkler.

9. Broad Ripple: Coach Kyla Montgomery continues to drill the fundamentals into an inexperienced roster, but she has been pleased with the team's attitude and its leadership. The team returns starting pitcher Liz Kovacevic, third baseman Lindee Welsh, middle infielder Kelly Commons and Maria Lopez and Briana Anthony, who are being looked at for several positions.

10. Arlington: Former Ben Davis freshman coach Jim Houk takes over a Golden Knights team with limited experience after a 3-14 record last year. Seniors Elise Douglas and Whitney Frieson and junior Kamesha Williams return from last season, but Williams will see on-the-job training at pitcher.

11. Park Tudor: Former North Central coach Carolyn Coyne takes over a new set of Panthers in just their second season since restarting a varsity team. Seniors Cochran Kendall, Annie McKown, Lara Maaouh and Kristen Rogers will lead the team, with a hand from talented sophomores Morgan Essex and Teagan Johnson.

Preseason

All-NorthIndyStar Team

Catcher: Brittany Schlater, Brebeuf.

First base: Amber Leonhard, Lawrence Central.

Second base: Storm Wilson, Pike.

Third base: Kim Tyler, Bishop Chatard.

Shortstop: Casey Williamson, Bishop Chatard.

Outfield: Ellen Shapiro, Brebeuf; Taylar Marshall, Cathedral; Genelle Eggleston, Lawrence Central.

Pitcher: Karley Olson, Cathedral.

Designated player: Kelly O'Neil, North Central.

Utility player: Rachel Vaughn, North Central.

Top early season games

Pike at Brebeuf, 4:30 p.m. Tuesday: The two best teams on the Northside last year meet with new coaches and new pitchers.

Lawrence Central at Lawrence North, 5 p.m. April 8: Lawrence Central is the favorite, but find out how much both teams improved in the off-season.

Bishop Chatard at Scecina, 5 p.m. April 9: The Trojans have City title aspirations and will find out where they stand against the perennially strong Crusaders.

North Central at Carmel, 5 p.m. April 14: The Panthers will get an early feel for where they stand in the Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference.

Cathedral at Bishop Chatard, 5 p.m. April 15: Two rivals battle for Northside supremacy.