PREP SOFTBALL 1995: PREVIEW : EMPIRE LEAGUE

Coaches: Randy Crocker, Century; Diane Pohl, Cypress; Chris Schaner, El Dorado; Mary Starbuck, Katella; Sue Hall, Kennedy; Vicky Mallett, Loara.

Facts and Figures: With Los Alamitos gone, the league championship could be up for grabs. Newcomer Kennedy was 21-6-1 last season, finishing 12-1-1 in the Garden Grove League. Kennedy brings one of the dominant pitchers in the county in Lisa Pitt. Last year as a junior, Pitt (16-2, 0.37) threw six no-hitters, including two perfect games. . . . El Dorado will be a legitimate contender, returning shortstop Nikki Hart (.467) and Kelli Tom (.381). . . . Cypress should also reach the postseason, returning all-leaguers Julie Adams, Stacy Silva and Kim Lumsdaine. . . . Century (7-14, 5-5) is new to the league after finishing fourth in the Pacific Coast League.

1994 In Review

League Overall School W L W L Los Alamitos 10 0 23 5 Cypress 7 3 18 6 El Dorado 7 3 17 9 Esperanza 3 7 9 11 Loara 3 7 11 15 Katella 0 10 3 18

Highlights: League champion Los Alamitos, led by league MVP Debbie Wilson (14-1, 0.41 ERA, 101 strikeouts in 101 2/3 innings), lost in the Division I quarterfinals to Foothill, 7-4. Junior Michelle Schneider (.415) led the league in hitting. . . . Cypress got pounded by Pacifica, 9-0, in the second round of the playoffs. . . . El Dorado’s Heather Hamer (7-4, 0.50 ERA) and Kelli Tom ( 9-3, 0.82) teamed as the league’s top pitching duo.