PREP SOFTBALL 1992 / PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE : Estancia

1991 RECORDS OVERALL LEAGUE 8-7 6-4

COACH RECORD AT SCHOOL Frank Braatz 8-7

RETURNING STARTERS YR. POS. B-T Leah Braatz Jr. SS-P R-R Raena Yanagisawa Sr. P R-R

OTHER TOP RETURNERS YR. POS. B-T Sylvia Cervantes Sr. OF R-R Michelle Miller Sr. OF R-R

TOP NEWCOMERS YR. POS. B-T Nehomi Chavaro Fr. UTL R-R Cindy Hagen Fr. UTL R-R Julie Neilsen Fr. C R-R Jennifer Robertson Fr. INF R-R

OUTLOOK

After a third-place finish last season, the Eagles hope for another shot at the playoffs and will battle with Costa Mesa and Century for third place behind Laguna Hills and Trabuco Hills. But it will be an uphill battle because Estancia lost six starters. Three infielders graduated, and according to Braatz, last season’s catcher, left fielder and center fielder are not playing this season for various personal reasons. The two key returners for Estancia are Yanagisawa and Braatz. Yanagisawa is a four-year letterman who hit .323 last season and will be the top pitcher. Braatz, who hit .444 last season and .455 as a freshman, will be the offensive catalyst. She is also versatile, and will play shortstop, third base, catcher or pitcher for the Eagles this year. “She’s improved since last season,” Coach Braatz said of his daughter. “She could possibly have a better year.” Senior outfielder Miller is a returning non-starter, who hit .389 last season, giving Estancia a good core of hitters. But beyond the returners, Coach Braatz doesn’t quite know what to expect. “Inexperience is the key word,” Braatz said. “I’ll be looking for help from a junior varsity team which won three games last year, and the incoming freshmen.”