PREP SOFTBALL 1992 / SOUTH COAST LEAGUE : Irvine

1991 RECORDS OVERALL LEAGUE 28-3 9-1

COACH RECORD AT SCHOOL Lisa Limp-Baker 52-6

RETURNING STARTERS YR. POS. B-T Carly Girton Sr. RF R-R Rebecca Smith Sr. P L-R Alleah Poulson Sr. IF L-L Carrie Caudill Sr. OF R-R Emily Lowrey Jr. OF R-R

OTHER TOP RETURNERS: None

TOP NEWCOMERS YR. POS. B-T Natalie Tomoguchi So. OF R-R Monika Hollstein Jr. OF R-R

OUTLOOK

It might look like a rebuilding year for the defending Southern Section 4-A champions, but the Vaqueros do have some impressive players returning. More notable are those not returning, mainly pitcher Jennifer Brundage (21-2) who was the league’s most valuable player last year before graduating with a scholarship to UCLA. Also missing is Brandi Armstrong, a first-team all-league player now at Saddleback College. Making matters worse, Karissa Meith has elected not to play this spring after accepting a volleyball scholarship to Oregon. Now the good news for the Vaqueros. Irvine has four returning starters, including outfielders Girton (.408), Caudill and Lowrey. Poulson returns at first base and Smith (0.64 earned-run average, 43 strikeouts) will have to fill Brundage’s pitching cleats. Tomoguchi and Hollstein are expected to help in the outfield. Limp-Baker looks for a strong defense to once again be a major strength. In hopes of bolstering the scoring punch, she has installed some new offensive strategy. If Smith can provide adequate pitching, Irvine’s usually strong defense and clutch hitting could carry the Vaqueros into the playoffs again. Even in a so-called rebuilding year, Irvine looks menacing.