Sparts 2-1 on the year thanks to nine returners and ace hurlers.

SILVERDALE – At a practice last season, Bainbridge’s head fastpitch coach Liz McCloskey predicted the team would “win five to six more games than last year.”

The kids made sure her prophecy would come true, as the Spartans improved from 9-14 in 2005 to 15-11 in 2006, a differential of exactly six games.

Now, with nearly the entire team returning from last season, McCloskey didn’t want to make any grand proclamations about how they’ll do, but she’s excited about the potential for the squad.

“I think this year is going to be very interesting,” she said. “I think it’ll be a lot of fun.”

Senior third baseman Stephanie Wagner agreed.

“I think we’re going to be very good this year,” she said. “I have a very good feeling.”

The Spartans are looking for bigger and better things after a third place finish in the Metro League Mountain Division and making it to the second day of the district tournament.

They lost just three players to graduation in Anna Lyons, Marci Morford and Chelsea Hansen and return nine players.

Four seniors – Wagner, outfielder Kelcee Azure, outfielder Chelsea Baker and catcher/outfielder Meika Monroe are back to lead Bainbridge back to districts and possibly further.

Also returning is junior pitcher/first baseman Karen Robinson and sophomores in outfielder Chelsie Kakela, catcher Brittany Wisner, pitcher Lindsey Willmann and shortstop Cara Thompson.

The foursome stepped onto the scene with a bang last year as freshmen.

Thompson hit .561 while Willmann posted a 1.98 ERA and struck out 73 batters on the mound.

Wisner and Kakela each hit .350 or better.

All four were All-Metro selections, with Willmann named to the All-Mountain Division team and Thompson named to the All-Metro team.

Three newcomers round out the team in sophomore first baseman/outfielder Victoria Wellbrock, sophomore outfielder Kaitlin Gaspitch and freshman pitcher Haylee Baker.

Wagner said the team is greatly improved at the plate.

“This year, our entire lineup is going to be batting really well,” she said. “Last year there were a couple of us, including myself, who struggled. But everyone’s worked really hard in the offseason to make sure we’re ready to go.

“I think our entire lineup is just going to be killing the ball. I’m really excited to see that.”

The Spartans were killing it against Central Kitsap last Wednesday at Linden Field defeating the Cougars 6-1.

After trading zeroes for the first four innings, Bainbridge got on the board in the fifth when Wisner walked and Wagner sent a laser over the fence for her first home run of the year.

In the seventh, Azure got on board with an infield single, then later scored on an error by the catcher.

Robinson reached with a walk, then Kakela brought her home with a home run in nearly the same spot as Wagner’s.

McCloskey is happy for the improvement at the plate and on the mound.

Baker went the complete game for the Spartans, giving up just three hits and walking no one while striking out six.

She, along with Robinson and Willmann, give the third year coach a formidable pitching staff.

“She’s (Baker) going to be a heckuva player for us,” McCloskey said. “When you have a pitching arsenal like that, the three of them are going to do great things.”

The Spartans beat Cleveland 19-0 on Wednesday.

They played Rainier Beach yesterday.