1996 Softball Preview : Freeway League

Buena Park: 7-15-1, 2-8 in 1995. Coach: Brenda Sapp (seventh year, 56-66-2). Prospects: The Roadrunners are young, but talented. Junior pitcher Lisa Davidson, third baseman Dana Galeener, first baseman Brandi Tatman and utility fielder and leadoff hitter Rachel Bashore are back. So is senior Jonna Martin, a second baseman and outfielder. “We should come within the top three and we will shock a few people,” Sapp said.

Fullerton: 20-8, 9-1 in 1995. Coach: Scott Weber (seventh year, 76-64-1). Prospects: The Indians are expected to win the league title and challenge for a Southern Section title, despite the loss of all-league catcher Kiki McAulay and shortstop Deborah Hargrave. Starters Angie Fancuberta, a pitcher who recorded 230 strikeouts last year, returns. Also back is center fielder Amy Simpson, who hit .310 and stole 13 bases. Third baseman Alissa Sorrell, who hit .291 and drove in 14 runs, returns, as does right fielder Marianne Emigh, who batted .288. Several newcomers are expected to contribute, including shortstop Katie Magaard, a transfer from Tustin, who is a defensive specialist.

La Habra: 19-8, 7-3 in 1995. Coach: Sue Briquelet (fifth year, 76-28). La Habra, with eight starters and a host of reserves returning, is very deep. Three good pitchers are on the roster. Another three key players return later this month from school suspensions unrelated to softball and Briquelet expects a strong finish. Cristy Turner, who posted a 0.59 earned-run average, is the main pitcher, and catcher Jenny Topping is expected to provide leadership and hit for average and power. She batted .379 last season and hit five home runs. Shelley Salas will switch from third base to shortstop and Laura Roccio, a part-time starter last year, will be at third base. Also back are Heather Tom, a .302 hitter, first baseman Krisha Garcia, left fielder Andrea Russell and center fielder Michelle Archibeque, a .333 hitter.

Sonora 15-13-1, 5-5 in 1995. Coach: Gary Hunt (seventh year, 58-57-1). Prospects: The Raiders barely missed a postseason berth a year ago, so they’ll be looking to earn one this season. But with only three returning starters, they are vastly less experienced than last year’s team. Center fielder Jackie Andersen, a .329 hitter, returns, as does Missy Gomez, who hit .360. They’ll be joined by catcher Jenny Brown, a .303 hitter. Reserve left fielder Erica Lewis and pitcher Georgia Wisen, who was 13-11 with two saves, also return. After that, the pitching looks dismal.

Sunny Hills: 9-12, 7-3 in 1995. Coach: Kathy Bevill (third season, 22-23). Prospects: The Lancers return three starters but could have a tough time getting a playoff berth in this league this season. Although pitching looked good, Bevill hasn’t been pleased with the team’s offensive output so far. Pitcher Jennifer Deane returns, as does Shannon Sportsman at first base and Nicole Gevers in the outfield. Newcomers Stephanie Newhouse at shortstop, Erin Luzzi at third base and Sara Monken at pitcher and in the outfield are all underclassmen who might be a year away.

Troy: 2-22, 0-10 in 1995. Coach: Jeff Chambers (first year). Prospects: Chambers, a veteran of club softball, has been tabbed to light a fire under the Warriors. Six starters return, including pitchers Valerie Kerbs and Katie Smithson, each with an ERA under 0.30. Outfielders Mindy Inman and Megan Rodgers, shortstop Jean Ann Harley and first baseman Shannon Nelson also return, as do Jennifer Kennedy, Michela Arcanal, Jaclyn Blankenship and Stephanie Beers.