PREP SOFTBALL 1992: SMALL SCHOOLS

Garden Grove Claremont

1991 RECORDS: OVERALL: 12-5 LEAGUE: 9-1

COACH: RECORD AT SCHOOL Mike Smith: 0-0

RETURNING STARTERS YR. POS. B-T Michele Hundley Sr. 3B R-R Shareen Ponce Sr. P-SS R-R Kyn DeNault Sr. LF R-R

OTHER TOP RETURNERS YR. POS. B-T Susie Sykes Jr. 1B R-R

TOP NEWCOMERS YR. POS. B-T Rachel Cornett Jr. SS-OF R-R Tanya Mendez Sr. P-SS R-R

OUTLOOK

When Smith took over as coach this year at Claremont, his players told him pitching was the strength of the team. Like any good coach, Smith decided to see for himself. It didn’t take long for his pitchers to convince him the assessment was accurate. “Now that I’ve seen how we pitch, I absolutely agree that pitching is our strength,” Smith said. “It’s a nice situation to inherit.” Ponce is back as Claremont’s top pitcher, and transfer Mendez provides more talent and experience on the mound. “Both of them can throw it with speed and accuracy,” Smith said. “We’ve got some pretty decent hitters, too.” The defending league champion Cougars return Hundley, who hit .372 last year, and DeNault, who hit .305. Ponce added a .275 average to the attack. Claremont’s weakness is inexperience at several positions. “This wasn’t a large team last year, and it’s not this year, either,” Smith said. “We don’t have a lot of depth. It’s going to be on-the-job training for some of our players in the field.” Newcomers expected to help solidify the Claremont defense include Sykes, whom Smith said is a good athlete, and Cornett, who can play shortstop or the outfield. Still, Claremont will depend on pitching to be its top defensive weapon. “The pitching will have to get us off to a good start,” Smith said.