SOUTHERN SECTION SOFTBALL / LEAGUE PREVIEWS

CAMINO REAL

Bell-Jeff

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 16-4 12-2

COACH YEAR Robert Molina 3rd

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Natalie Escobar Sr. CF Cindy Detweiler Sr. P

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Laura Lunsford Fr. SS Leslie Michener Sr. LF/P Lillie Robane So. 2B Karina Vasquez Jr. RF Janet Quintero Sr. LF Jamie Chambers So. 3B Irma Alvarez Jr. C

OUTLOOK

Molina is facing a rebuilding year, but thinks he has the talent to reach the playoffs. Escobar was a utility player last year, and Detweiler was the left fielder. The newcomers come from a junior varsity team that took second place in league play.

DELPHIC

Campbell Hall

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 4-20 1-7

COACH YEAR Beth Silverman 1st

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Elana Debinsky Sr. C Danika Hendrickson Sr. OF Denise Jones Sr. OF Melanie Womack Jr. UT Arika Hassan So. P/1B Molly Jacobs So. SS Stephanie Thompson So. OF Fara Atchity Jr. 2B

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Melissa Thime Fr. 1B/OF Jessica Koral Fr. P/UT

OUTLOOK

Silverman, two-time City Player of the Year at El Camino Real, will draw on her experiences as a player in a effort to build a winner. The first order of business for this former pitcher is to work on pitching. Viking pitchers averaged about eight walks per game last season. One opponent scored 24 runs in a game. The defense also needs work, but the bats appear sound. Debinsky (.473), Hendrickson (.341), Thompson (.375), Jacobs and Atchity all hit .295 or better.

Faith Baptist

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 12-8 6-4

COACH YEAR Steve Parmelee 1st

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Amber Misseijer So. 3B Julie Bigelow So. CF Sarah Seifert Jr. C Sarah Chapman Jr. 2B

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Dayna Horne Fr. OF Rachel Greer Fr. SS Natalia Yosisi So. RF

OUTLOOK

Only four starters return, but the nucleus is strong. Most of the Contenders play other sports. Parmelee likes the team’s attitude in practice. But the pitching, which will be divided between Chapman and Seifert, is unproven. Messeijer will anchor what is expected to be a sure-fielding infield.

FOOTHILL

Burbank

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 4-13 0-10

COACH YEAR Christine Krohn 14th

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Michelle Starkey So. 2B Leizl Tan Jr. 2B Heidi Spaethe So. 1B

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Chantal Pershing Fr. SS Meghan Lackey Fr. P/OF

OUTLOOK

The Bulldogs hope to be more competitive, but it doesn’t help when your best player (catcher Melinda Villasenor) transfers to Hart. Krohn says Villasenor is a college prospect. Pitching and defense are question marks, but the cupboard is not bare. The team has better-than-average speed. Leadoff batter Pershing will spearhead a slap attack. Spaethe batted .345 last season. Lackey will throw out runners from center field.

Burroughs

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 8-15 3-9

COACH YEAR Ken Bailey 6th

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Gabi Morris So. P Holly Squire Sr. 2B Silvia Ramos Sr.

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Jennifer Tyler Fr. P/OF Shaland Romero Fr. CF/C Olivia Sullivan Fr. 3B/OF Chantel Jimenez Fr. C Dani Morris So. P

OUTLOOK

The Indians have a good mix of players but couldn’t find themselves in a tougher league. Said Bailey, “Saugus should be the best team in California.” The four freshmen are all good hitters who play travel ball in the summer. The defense should be improved over a 1994 team that committed an average of 2 1/2 errors a game. Pitching might be Burroughs’ weak point, though it, too, will be better than last season. Twins Gabi Morris (right-handed) and Dani Morris (left-handed) will carry the load. Ramos batted .519 last season and was a Times All-Valley second-team selection.

Canyon

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 19-6-1 8-3-1

COACH YEAR Greg Hayes 5th

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Kassi Lemasters Sr. P Tammy Hughes Sr. C Nadine Ivanovsky Sr. OF Suzanne Hinds Sr. CF Shalyn Martinez Sr. 2B Sunshine Esparza Sr. 3B Karly Andrade So. OF

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Lindsay Greblo Fr.. SS Lisa Villasenor So. P Tammy Patterson Sr. P

OUTLOOK

The Cowboys should be competitive and probably challenging for a playoff spot. But there is a gaping hole in the middle of the infield, left by Crystl Bustos, a senior shortstop who is academically ineligible. Bustos was The Times’ Valley player of the year in 1994, batting .573, with 27 runs batted in and 31 stolen bases. The defense is solid and Canyon has depth at pitcher, but Hayes said everybody will have to hit better. “We can’t rely on Crystl,” Hayes said, “and there’s been a tendency to do that.”

Hart

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 16-13 5-7

COACH YEAR Al Weil 10th

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Tracy Clark Sr. 3B Mary Colleran Jr. P Jennie Nordhagen Sr. C Torey Sotts Sr. OF Chris Davis Jr. SS/2B Jenny Arzola So. OF Vanessa Raschella So. OF

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Christina Chao Fr. SS Jackie Bailey Fr. IF Anna Nordhagen Fr. 1B Kelly Nordhagen Fr. IF Mary Keen So. 1B Danni Socha Fr. C Kim Wrinke Fr. OF Stacy Eastman Fr. P Courtney Sherlock Fr. OF

OUTLOOK

Everybody in the league is ready to hand the championship to Saugus, but Hart has plenty of solid players and a strong feeder program. Weil is concerned about run production, but he has three proven .300 hitters: Clark (.352), Jennie Nordhagen (.316) and Davis (.325). Chao has surprising power and could be one of the league’s best players in coming years--as could her six freshman teammates. Colleran posted a 15-11 record and a 1.23 earned-run average last season. She will be backed by a strong defense.

Saugus

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 27-3-1 11-0-1

COACH YEAR Ron Hilton 14th

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Jamie Gillies Jr. P Chris Gill Jr. 3B Jeanine Giordano Sr. C Kelli Kranz Sr. SS Nicole Giacalone Sr. CF Jill Passafiume Jr. RF Nicole Giordano So. OF/P

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Amanda Melton Fr. 2B Crystal Chulick Jr. 2B Tracy Passafiume So. 1B Shannon McRoy So. 1B Annie Walling Sr. OF Andi Mankoff Jr. 2B

OUTLOOK

The Centurions have so much talent, they could probably compete with an all-star team. Gillies (23-3, 0.49 ERA) was the Southern Section Division II player of the year last season. Giordano has signed a letter of intent to Washington. Kranz has signed with Southwest Texas. Hilton calls Gill, who batted .426 with 30 runs batted in, “maybe the best player in California. She will be a college All-American.” Perhaps the only drama for Saugus will be a bid to win 30 games.

GOLDEN

Antelope Valley

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 5-13 4-11

COACH YEAR Gail Ford 1st

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Natalie Aston Sr. P Jamie Meske Jr. C

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Lisa Cochran So. C Laura Jackman Jr. P/1B Alexis Lee Sr. RF Marlene Valadez Sr. 2B

OUTLOOK

A new coaching staff has brought an improved attitude for the Antelopes. Antelope Valley’s strength will be up the middle with Aston and Maske. Cochran and Jackman will bring additional depth.

Highland

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 15-9 11-4

COACH YEAR Glenda Potts 3rd

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Neisa Beaston Sr. C Kristi Globig Jr. P Carrie Wilson Jr. 2B Kellie Reid So. SS Shannon Martini Sr. 3B Jasmine Varela Sr. CF Jennifer Hardman Sr. 1B

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Jennifer Droste Fr. INF Jennifer Smith Fr. OF Michelle Wintermute Fr. P

OUTLOOK

This may be the Bulldogs’ year to win a league title despite losing infielder Michelle Brown (Utah), who was Highland’s first softball player to earn a Division I scholarship. Beaston is a four-year starter and Globig (an all-league selection the past two seasons) and Martini have started for three seasons.

Littlerock

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 0-20 0-15

COACH YEAR Lloyd Doster 1st

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Michelle Thibault Sr. INF Antrin Kee Sr. INF/P

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Beverly Wallace So. INF Rachel Behen Jr. 1B/CF Amanda Arcand So. SS Melisa Walker Fr. OF Julia Olson Jr. P

OUTLOOK

Doster had 32 players try out for the varsity in an effort to improve on last year’s disaster. Not many return from last season but Thibault and Kee will provide experience. “Obviously we want to improve on our previous standing,” Doster said. “We’re just starting to work out the final roster.”

Palmdale

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 13-12 5-10

COACH YEAR Gene Speidel 13th

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Jaime Hodges Sr. P/1B Alison Lowe Jr. 3B Stephany Stone So. SS Teresa Beltrami Jr. 2B/P

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Kristi DaMarco Fr. OF Nadine Klemenz Fr. C Cheri Smith Fr. P/1B Mikki Goldwater Fr. P

OUTLOOK

Freshmen, led by DaMarco, Klemenz, Smith and Goldwater, will play key roles if the Falcons hope to make a run at the playoffs. Hodges and Lowe are reutnring all-league players. “There’s no doubt we will be young,” Speidel said. “We need to get off to a good start to build our confidence.”

Quartz Hill

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 18-8 12-3

COACH YEAR Coy Ray 8th

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Melissa Montes Jr. IF Correna Berlinger Sr. P Kristin Sullivan Jr. C Jayme Gilchrist Sr. OF Kim Tahsuda So. OF Nicci Fuqua Jr. OF/P

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Krista Willibrand Fr. 1B Amber Slaton Fr. 3B/P

OUTLOOK

The Rebels have won or tied for the league title the past four seasons but lost a lot of talent, including shortstop Cindy Sims (Times All-Valley first team) and catcher Lolita Allen (Times second team). “We’ve got a couple of holes to fill but I really think we’ll be better than we look right now,” Ray said.

MISSION

Alemany

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 23-3 12-0

COACH YEAR Dudley Rooney 12th

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Sophie Contreraz Sr. P Jamie Moore Sr. C Alba Cano Sr. 1B Tammy Alcantar Sr. SS Esmeralda Macias Sr. OF Gloria Dominguez Jr. 3B Tiffany Curcio Sr. OF Sonja Maldonado Sr 2B Angela Rivera Sr. OF Tina Curcio So. OF

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Kim Dineer Fr. P

OUTLOOK

Six all-league selections return from the team that advanced to the Division III quarterfinals. Contreraz (23-3, 0.37 ERA) was the league’s pitcher of the year and Macias (.608), who had 63 hits, was most valuable player.

Chaminade

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 14-10 7-5

COACH YEAR Steve Harrington 1st

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Ashlie Hayes Sr. INF Dana Preston Jr. P Kelsey Bennett Sr. OF Karen Knokey So. INF/P Amanda Horn Jr. INF Berrie Pearlman Jr. INF Jamie Fama Sr. OF Elizabeth Patterson Sr. INF

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Robin McElrath Jr. C Kelly Davidian So. INF Christina Feliz So. OF

OUTLOOK

There is reason for optimism. Preston, who closed last season by pitching 70 innings without yielding an earned run, has improved. The infield returns intact, and there is enough experience on the roster to make Chaminade a contender. Hayes has signed with Massachussetts.

Sacred Heart

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 14-10 8-2

COACH YEAR Tom Vance 1st

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Mary Fitzgibbons Sr. OF Sarrah Musial Jr. P Anna Flint Jr. P/1B Katie Martin Jr. C/3B Jennifer Danyluk Jr. SS Mary Schnieders So. INF Tricia Sarcone So. OF Katie Goodwin Jr. OF

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Danielle Dalponte Fr. UTL

OUTLOOK

The Tologs move to the Mission League from the Sunshine League, where they won league titles in 1992 and ’93. Pitching should be a strength.

Harvard-Westlake

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 9-10 4-8

COACH YEAR Terry Elledge 9th

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Tiffany Zwicker Sr. 1B Tracy Balton Sr. OF Samantha Bernie Sr. P Susanne Richman Sr. 2B Claire Zellman Jr. C/OF Dana Loebman Jr. C Melissa Goldstein So. OF

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Corrie Roberts Fr. P

OUTLOOK

The Wolverines begin their third season in the Mission League with improvement on their minds. Harvard managed one league victory in 1993 and four last season while losing some close games. “We’re hoping, quite honestly, just to make the playoffs,” Elledge said. Pitching should be improved. Bernie logged virtually every inning last season and Roberts has been impressive.

Louisville

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 10-9 4-8

COACH YEAR Dana Vasquez 3rd

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Melissa Enterante Sr. 1B Mariz Soliman Sr. SS Jennifer Glennie So. SS/OF Liz Hudson Jr. 3B Jessica Hanaseth So. 2B Shannon Joyce So. OF

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Stefanie Urman Fr. P Jamie Sampo Fr. INF Jenna Santos Fr. C Erin Kelly Fr. UTL Roxy Romo So. OF

OUTLOOK

The Royals are much improved in attitude and ability. “It’s a very cohesive unit,” Vasquez said. However, the loss of six starters to graduation will make matters difficult. Urman will take the role as the No. 1 pitcher.

Notre Dame

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 15-6 8-3

COACH YEAR Cindy Kramer 6th

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Lesley Feldman Sr. INF Angela Rotstein Jr. P Karin Klemic Jr. 2B Stephanie Acosta Sr. OF Stephanie Eden Jr. OF Laura Uss Jr. C

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Letizia Lucero Fr. UTL Christine Zahka Fr. UTL Michelle Barraza Fr. OF Jennifer Ames Jr. OF Alison Stanley Jr. 1B Sarah Johnson So. C

OUTLOOK

Kramer said she expects the inexperienced Knights to contend for second place. “We’re a baby team,” Kramer said. “But we’ll be fighting in the middle of the pack. It’s going to depend on how fast we come together.”

PACIFIC

Crescenta Valley

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 20-3 8-2

COACH YEAR Alan Eberhart 2nd

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Elizabeth Barnes Sr. SS Danielle Ferreira Jr. P Danielle Robertshaw Sr. P Kim Scott Sr. P Hope Robertshaw So. 3B Tammi Turner Jr. 1B Kellie Labor Jr. OF

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Becca Baldridge Fr. UTL Leslie Linnemeyer So. C

OUTLOOK

The Falcons, second in the league last season, have experience at key positions, particularly at pitcher. Ferreira, Robertshaw and Scott, the staff’s ace, were a combined 20-3. Barnes, an all-league selection, has signed a letter of intent with Central Michigan.

Glendale

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 14-12 6-4

COACH YEAR Craig Becker 3rd

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Tara Allender Jr. P Shawna Metcalf Sr. 2B Annie Joh Jr. OF Erin Dibble Sr. 1B Lala Aratoon Sr. C

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Kristina Kirk Fr. SS/OF Belinda Alcaraz Fr. 3B Kelly Cook Fr. UTL

OUTLOOK

Experience is in short supply. Allender, the team’s best pitcher, sat out last season because of a knee injury suffered while skiing. How well she fares in her recovery will have a lot to do with the team’s fortunes. The Dynamiters may have a struggle to hold their own in the middle of the league.

Hoover

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 16-7 6-4

COACH YEAR Kirt Kohlmeier 6th

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Tina Kinney Jr. P Meredith Butler Sr. C Emily Carlson Sr. 2B Karla Nanne So. SS Daphne Vadman Jr. 1B Chastity Soto Sr. OF Crystal Curran Sr. OF Karla De La Torre Jr. OF/P Norma Solis Jr. OF

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Nicole Gimpaolo Fr. 3B Dianna Curran So. OF Courtney Hollingsworth So. OF Alex Spada Jr. INF

OUTLOOK

The Tornadoes, league champions in 1992 and ‘93, could return to the top, considering their experience. Hoover lost only one starter to graduation, and Kinney, Butler, Carlson, Nanne and Vadman all were all-league selections. Kinney ranks among the area’s top pitchers.

SUNRISE

St. Genevieve

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 6-14 2-8

COACH YEAR Barbara Hofer 1st

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Stacie Champy Jr. P Chrystle Gonzalez Jr. SS Izumi Hamagaki Sr. 2B Kim Carlson Jr. C/OF

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Elaine Larsen Jr. P Nanette Villanueva So. IF

OUTLOOK

Hofer, who comes to St. Genevieve with one year of experience as an assistant coach at Pierce College, will get her first test when the Valiants open their season in the Hart tournament. “We have dominant pitching, from what I’ve heard about the rest of the league, and a solid defense,” Hofer said. “From what I see, we’re really going to be the strength of this league.”

FREELANCE

Montclair Prep

‘94 RECORD OVERALL LEAGUE 18-4

COACHES YEAR Greg Reece 10th Ken Smith 7th

TOP RETURNEES YR POS Tamra Freedman So. CF-3B Stephanie Aron Jr. SS Brandi Cohen So. P-3B Jody Gelfand Jr. LF Monique Urquidez Jr. C-OF Kadejah Swinton Jr. OF Missy Bernstein Jr. 1B-OF

TOP NEWCOMERS YR POS Laura Power Fr. P-3B

OUTLOOK

Freedman was first team All-CIF SS Division V and first team All-State according to Cal-Hi Sports. She tied a Southern Section record with 13 home runs and batted .584. Aron (7-0, .447) and Cohen (11-4, .369) were second team All-CIF SS Division V selections. The Mounties, who lost to Paraclete in extra innings in the Southern Section Division V quarterfinals last season, lost only two starters to graduation but will face a tougher schedule this season. Reece’s only concern is the team’s lack in total years of softball experience, but he expects the Mounties will be ranked in the top four in Division V.