PREP SOFTBALL 1995: PREVIEW : SUNSET LEAGUE

Coaches: Harry Schmidt, Edison; Chris de Soto, Esperanza; Cary Baker, Fountain Valley; Julie Anderson, Huntington Beach; Jami Shannon, Los Alamitos; Shelly Luth, Marina.

Facts and Figures: With seven starters returning, Marina is favored to repeat as league champion despite Los Alamitos’ entrance from the Empire League, where Coach Jami Shannon compiled a 246-135-2 record. . . . Los Alamitos’ Michelle Schneider batted .415, and Marina’s Marcy Crouch went 17-2 with 0.30 ERA during the regular season. . . . Marina’s Lynette Velazquez batted a league-high .452, and Faith Fuata batted .417. Fountain Valley’s Lynea Backlund batted (.410). . . . This was the best league in Orange County last year and should be again with possibly three teams in the Top 10.

League Overall School W L W L Marina 13 1 26 2 Fountain Valley 11 3 17 9 Ocean View 10 4 17 7 Huntington Beach 9 5 15 10 Rosary 6 8 13 9 Westminster 5 9 7 15 Edison 1 13 2 17 Santa Ana 1 13 2 22

Highlights: Marina’s only losses came on consecutive days, 2-1, to Fresno Bullard in the Santa Maria Righetti tournament title game, and 7-1 against Fountain Valley as arm-weary Marcy Crouch gave up four of the five earned runs she surrendered all year. She pitched a two-hitter in the rematch. . . . The Vikings, ranked No. 1 in the county, beat Foothill, 2-0, for the Division I title.