JUNIOR COLLEGE SOFTBALL PREVIEWS

ANTELOPE VALLEY

COACH: Gene Pagliaro, 7th season

LAST SEASON’S RECORD: 31-11

OUTLOOK: Pagliaro is confident he will win his fourth consecutive Foothill Conference title. Pitcher Heather Meyer, State player of the year in 1994, is at the University of Washington, but Pagliaro says there are plenty of top-notch players to compensate for the loss. First baseman/pitcher Jody Snelling was All-State in ’94. As the leadoff hitter, she batted .455 and led the team in hits (75), singles (53), triples (nine) and home runs (eight). She is a powerful left-handed pitcher who will share starting duties with freshman Mary Flores, a Quartz Hill High graduate. Margaret Perez returns to third base after a redshirt season for academic reasons. As a freshman in ‘93, she led the team with 40 runs batted in. Freshman Cindy Sims, All-Southern Section at Quartz Hill, will start at shortstop and freshman Sandi Holm from Paraclete High will start in the outfield. “This is a tough team, the kind you want to go to battle with,” Pagliaro said. “Our pitching is good and we have some real sluggers.” The Marauders’ season opener is today at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut.

CANYONS

COACH: Ray Whitten, 9th season

LAST SEASON’S RECORD: 22-15

OUTLOOK: The Cougars have gone to the playoffs the last four years, but they will be hurt by the loss of pitcher Marianne Winchester because of academic ineligibility. Winchester was All-Western State Conference last season and the Cougars’ ace. “It’s a big blow,” Whitten said. “Now we don’t have that experience anymore and we’re down to two pitchers.” Freshman Lauren Fendstemaker , who had shoulder surgery last year, will be the team’s top pitcher. Whitten says Fendstemaker is fully recovered and should be ready to go by today’s opener in the Long Beach tournament. Freshman Amy Ryun, who graduated from Burbank, also will start. Whitten says five other starters unexpectedly dropped out, some because of family problems and others with work-related conflicts. That leaves All-WSC center fielder Kasey Miller and first baseman Cheryl Towelry as the team’s top returners.

MOORPARK

COACH: De Dow, 2nd season

LAST SEASON’S RECORD: 30-13

OUTLOOK: Dow was named WSC coach of the year in 1994 for leading the Raiders to an undefeated conference record (18-0). With the core of that team back, Moorpark figures to be a contender again. First baseman Jennifer Edwards batted .409 and led the team in every offensive category as a freshman. Center fielder Holly Bennett, shortstop Liz Lopez and third baseman Dana Skinner also return. The Raiders also have added pitcher Kelly Lovato from Royal High and and backup shortstop Heather Pierskalla from Thousand Oaks. “A big thing is that we have great speed on the bases,” Dow said. “We are also a good hitting team like last year. We have definite power.” Moorpark’s opener is Feb. 15 at Mt. SAC.

PIERCE

COACH: Dan Berry, 1st season

LAST SEASON: 11-24

OUTLOOK: Berry brings Pierce a familiar name in local softball circles. He started the program at Crescenta Valley High in the 1980s and in 12 years won eight league titles and a Southern Section Division 3-A championship. “I just thought it was time for a change and a new look,” Berry said. “I started that program with nothing and that’s almost what we have here.” Berry’s goal this season is to finish with .500 record. The Brahmas have only four returning players, including All-WSC pitcher Mandy Villasenor. Top freshmen include left-hander Ana Calzada from San Fernando, catcher Brede Nivens (Granada Hills) and shortstop Kim O’Leary (Saugus). The Brahmas open their season today at the Cypress tournament.

VENTURA

COACH: Susan Johnson, 7th season

LAST SEASON: 20-20

OUTLOOK: The Pirates have five returning starters and four solid pitchers who should help them return to the playoffs. Third baseman Kristine Garcia was all-conference. Shortstop Stephanie Juares, first baseman Amy Attedery and right fielder Stacy Woodson and pitcher Kristie Greyson also return. “I have everyone back I want back,” Johnson said. “They are all strong and very competitive. And I have a great and talented group of freshmen.” Newcomers include twins Tammy and Jennifer Peck from Buena High, who play second base and center field, respectively, outfielder Deana Estrada (Channel Islands) and pitchers Jen Molsen (Buena), Rebecca Jimenez (Ventura) and Debi Covarrubias (Oxnard).”This is definitely the strongest team I’ve ever put together,” Johnson said. “This is above and beyond the talent I’ve had here in past years.” Ventura opens the season at this weekend’s Gavilan tournament.