Tahoma graduated only two seniors in 2009 and the bulk of its team that posted its best season under Coach Tom Milligan, who is entering his sixth year at the helm, return to the fastpitch diamond this season.

Led by senior co-captains Kaila Wilkinson, center field, and Katie Jo Myers, right field and sometimes pitcher, Tahoma has a team that wants to make the most of its improvements and hard work during the offseason to make deep run in the playoffs.

“This year we’re basically expecting to make it to state,” Wilkinson said. “We haven’t made it to state since I’ve been here. We’re working really hard.”

During the offseason the girls started hitting and working on conditioning much earlier than in seasons past and Wilkinson said that has paid off with major improvements in hitting.

“Our hitting has really come together,” Myers said. “We look way stronger hittingwise than in past years.”

But, a key factor this year is the squad has two years of playing together, so the girls get along better than ever.

“You learn about each other and want to win for each other,” Myers said.

With so many girls coming back to play for the Bears, Wilkinson, they are “much more unified as a team.”

The Bears return first baseman Lisa Maulden a junior who earned All SPSL First Team and hit .400 in 2009, junior catcher Shelby Carter, sophomore shortstop Hayley Beckstrom, with both earning SPSL Honorable Mention.

Also returning is pitcher Sammii Jimenez, a junior who earned Honorable Mention with a 3.44 ERA, junior second baseman Emily Miller, senior Alex Clyatt who will patrol left field for Tahoma, junior Kiley Dunn at third base and senior Alyse Henkel will be in the outfield.

Top newcomers are sophomore Jordan Walley who will be expected to pitch and provide a power hitting presence at the plate for Tahoma and junior Courtney Visaya who will serve as a utility player.

Tahoma has kicked off the season with a 5-1 record through Monday with wins over Bonney Lake, Liberty and Emerald Ridge, a team it lost to in the playoffs last season, while adding a 10-0 win over Kent-Meridian to start SPSL North Division play last week.

The win over Emerald Ridge last week was particularly satisfying, Wilkinson said.

“That was a big one,” she said. “That was when we knew we had a team.”

On Tuesday Tahoma added to its hot start to the season with a 5-3 win over league rival Auburn Riverside, a key game that Wilkinson and Myers said would really give them an idea what the team’s potential could be this season.

Jimenez tossed a complete game against the Ravens allowing three runs, while scattering four hits, and striking out five.

Miller got a Bears come back started in the seventh with a lead off walk then stole second base. Beckstrom drove Miller in to tie the game at 3-3. Jimenez chipped in with a double while Walley drove in the final run to put the game away.

Meanwhile, Carter collected three hits, including a double and a triple for Tahoma.

Last year the Bears finished 8-8 in the South Puget Sound League and 10-13 overall after being bounced on the first day at the West Central District tournament last May.

Thus far Tahoma is halfway to its 2009 win total and they are considered by others in the SPSL North a favorite to contend for the division title.

Both Wilkinson and Myers said as captains they are trying to find a middle ground as leaders compared to previous captains.

“We’re trying to bring all the components together,” Myers said.

The biggest obstacle between Tahoma and state, Wilkinson said, is finding a groove as a team.

“Being consistent is the biggest challenge,” she said.