PREP SOFTBALL 1992: ORANGE LEAGUE

Valencia

1991 RECORDS: OVERALL: 7-16 LEAGUE: 2-8

COACH: RECORD AT SCHOOL Chenita Rogers: 7-23

RETURNING STARTERS YR. POS. B-T Stephanie Ritchey Sr. 3B-1B R-R Stephanie McDiarmid Jr. OF-C R-R Stephanie Johnson Jr. P-1B R-R Kristina Miller So. 2B-3B R-R Francine Guerrero Jr. OF R-R

OTHER TOP RETURNERS: None

TOP NEWCOMERS YR. POS. B-T Carrie Ritchey Fr. C-OF R-R

OUTLOOK

Rogers enters her second year with the Tigers and says she expects a better team than the one that finished fifth with a 2-8 record last season. Five starters return, but they will have to replace graduated all-league player Roseanna Garcia. Pitching appears to be the Tigers’ weak spot. Johnson returns for her second season at the position. The Tigers’ top returning batter is McDiarmid, who batted .410 last season. McDiarmid is expected to see action in the Tigers’ outfield and at catcher. “Last year wasn’t a great year, but I think we improved as the season went along,” Rogers said. “But this season, our defense and our infield is improved. Stephanie Ritchey and Kristina Miller are a big asset in the program.” Miller, a sophomore who batted .229, is expected to switch off at second and third base. The top newcomer is freshman Carrie Ritchey, who should be the team’s starting catcher. Carrie Ritchey, the younger sister of Stephanie, will also play in the Tigers’ outfield. “This season will be different because Valencia High School has a little better pitching and our defense is better,” said Rogers, a two-time NCAA All-American while at Cal State Fullerton in 1986-87. “We also have a lot of good freshmen coming into the program.”