PREP SOFTBALL 1995: PREVIEW : SIX TEAMS TO WATCH : Foothill

Coach: Joe Gonzalez (sixth year).

1994: 25-7, 9-1 in the Century League. Unseeded in playoffs, lost to Marina in Division I finals, 2-0.

Key returners: Amie Barnes, 2B, Jr.; Lauren Bauer, LF, So.; Jennifer Beltran, 3B, So.; Stacey Brunansky, 1B, Sr.; Michelle Churnock, SS, Sr.; Dawn Davidson, C, Sr.; Marie Gieron, P, Jr.; Marissa Holmes, RF, Jr.; Carley Rutledge, CF, Sr.; Robin Tessman, 1B, So.

Key newcomers: Lyndsey Fossatti, P, Fr.; Rosie Gustavson, OF/DH, Fr.; Lisa Keenan, Inf., Jr.

Outlook: The Knights are a dominant pitcher away from being the dominant team in the Southern Section. Instead, they have Gieron (9-4, 0.51 ERA during the regular season), who is not overpowering but defeated four pitchers with a combined record of 62-7 in the playoffs; she should be even better. Perhaps no team has more speed, led by Churnock (.548 batting average, 22 runs, 31 stolen bases) and Bauer (.377, 19 steals), and probably no team has more returning overall talent. Foothill has every starter back from last year’s team, which beat four league champions to get to the finals against Marina.