1996 Softball Preview : Empire League

Century: 8-16-1, 2-8 in 1995. Coaches: Jill and Bill Snyder (first year). Prospects: The Centurions are off to their best start in school history, 4-0, and are halfway toward the school mark for most wins in a season. Pitcher-shortstop Dawn Lopez opened with a 2-0 mark, giving up no earned runs. Second baseman Shelena Tranauski is back on the varsity for a third consecutive year. Infielder and leadoff hitter Debbie Arostigue, a transfer from Santa Ana Valley, has provided depth. Lost for the season, however, is Yvette Martinez, an all-league first baseman, who has an injured knee.

Cypress 13-8, 6-4 in 1995. Coach: Diane Lewis (first year). Prospects: Although not blessed with a lot of speed, the Centurions are expected to be one of the league’s best-hitting teams. The defense looks good, too, and if the pitching holds up, Cypress should do just fine. Eight starters return, including the majority of the infield. Back are pitcher Stacy Silva, catcher Nikki Numes, outfielder Sasha Campbell, first baseman Tynel Humphreys, second baseman Rubi Alatorre and third baseman Laura Powers. Top newcomers include Sarina Brito, Dusty Creager, Fern English and Lisa Monreal.

El Dorado: 18-9, 8-2 in 1995. Coach: Chris Schaner (third year, 34-16). Prospects: Gone are shortstop Nikki Hart (Oregon State, .341, 19 runs batted in), a Times all-county first-team player, and pitcher Heather Tom (Ohio State, 15-7, 0.62 earned-run average). Still, the Golden Hawks appear talented, with four all-league players returning. Right fielder Jamie Nebeker, a .379 hitter, returns, as do shortstop Samantha Kimura (.297), catcher Carmen LoNigro (.273), pitcher Kerri Jeffries (.265) and left fielder Jennifer Miskov (.238). Reserve outfielders returning include Breigh Decker and Heather Jackson. Newcomers are led by Jill Jessen, Melissa Hobson and Sara Yarbrough. “We should be as strong as last year,” Schaner said.

Katella: 11-17, 4-6 in 1995. Coach: Carlos Ayala (first year). Prospects: Ayala, appointed coach a little more than a week ago, thinks the Knights have a better shot at a playoff berth than they did a year ago, once players adjust to his system. Center fielder Mandy VanderDerBurg, second baseman Julie Burnsed, shortstop Cynthia Castillo and first baseman-pitcher Vanessa Valenzuela return. “Our team is very enthusiastic and willing to work hard,” Ayala said. “We have the ability to surprise some people.”

Kennedy: 20-9, 9-1 in 1995. Coach: Sue Hall (ninth year, 225-57-2). Prospects: The Fighting Irish are young with only one starter back from last year’s team, which advanced to the Southern Section quarterfinals. “We figure to start off slow and finish strong,” Hall said. Returning players include catcher-first baseman Kelly Bunker, center fielder Michelle Cross, pitcher-second baseman Nicole Crouse, right fielder Leslie Prochaska, catcher-first baseman Adrianna Wilson, shortstop Alicia Dowland, pitcher Traci Hensel, second baseman Lashelle Laird and third baseman Jerri La Carte. Freshman infielder Andrea Bledsoe is a talented newcomer.

Loara: 5-16, 1-9 in 1995. Coach: Bob Watson (first year). Prospects: Watson was hired a couple weeks ago and is feeling his way around his new surroundings. Center fielder Kelli Clark, the only senior, is back, as are pitcher-first baseman Cara Painter, catcher-third baseman Betsy Holman and shortstop-third baseman Natalie Wilson. Top newcomers include Beth Lefler, Deanna Matos, Michele Mendoza, Jodi Schulman, Kara White and Heather Zantes.