1996 Softball Preview : Olympic League

Brethren Christian: 12-9, 5-5 in 1995. Coach: Dave Clifton (fifth year, 52-29). Prospects: Brethren Christian loses one of the top pitchers in the county as senior Brooke Hofstetter transfers to Mater Dei. Hofstetter (11-8), an All-Olympic League and second-team All-Southern Section pick, gave up 64 hits in 146 innings, walking only eight and striking out 198 (third in the county). Clifton expects to have a strong pitching staff because of senior starters Khrystie Howard and Reanna Mendoza. Junior Natasha Savan returns behind the plate. If Brethren Christian can get some hitting, Clifton predicts a third-place finish.

Calvary Chapel: 13-15, 6-4 in 1995. Coach: Rose Imbriano (first year). Prospects: Calvary Chapel, which tied for second last season, lost in the first round of the playoffs. But the Eagles are in good shape to make a run for the league title, because the entire team returns. Sophomore shortstop Christy Ring (first-team all-league, second-team Southern Section selection), junior pitcher-infielder Keri Pryzgocki (first-team all-league pick), junior pitcher Jennifer Melone, and seniors Sarah Garrido (first base), Jessica Stodmon (infielder-outfielder) and Christina Blankenship (outfielder) all are back. Freshman Kori Pryzgocki is expected to start at second base. Imbriano, who played four years at Oregon (91-95), has trained this year’s team to hit for power, and its quick and experienced defense should improve its chances.

Cerritos Valley Christian 17-4, 8-2 in 1995. Coach: Eleanor Dykstra (20th year). Prospects: The defending Southern Section champions again will be in the hunt for another title. They return the Division V most valuable player, pitcher Susie Schoales (17-4), and her batterymate, Southern Section first-teamer Crystal Rosenthal. Erin Fluck (second-team Southern Section) also returns. Dykstra was named Division V coach of the year last season.

Ontario Christian 17-5, 6-4 in 1995. Coach: Tom Van’t Land (sixth, 46-45).Prospects: Ontario Christian tied for second with Calvary Chapel last season and is expected to chase the league title. The Knights advanced to the Southern Section semifinals. Experience will be the key this season. Sophomore Melissa Thayer (first-team Southern Section) and junior Ruth Van’t Land (first-team Southern Section) return.

Orange Lutheran 8-11, 1-9 in 1995. Coach: Kirk Norton (first year). Prospects: Pitcher Michelle Harrison (first-team all-league) has graduated. Tiffany Johnson (5-3, 86 strikeouts) should be able to pick up the slack, but Orange Lutheran will need to get some production at the plate to pull out of the cellar. Carolyn Schulz (.320) is back in the infield, along with starters Sara Vaughn (junior infielder), Sheri Harako (junior infielder), Holly Salisbury (junior catcher) and Tammy Mahshi (sophomore outfielder). Sophomore Sharon Elias will be joined by five promising freshmen: Erin Norton, Melanie Morgan, Molly Slane, Lindsay Wetzler and Jenny Miklos.

Whittier Christian 7-11, 4-6 in 1995. Coach: Gary Guy (second year, 7-11). Guy is optimistic and hopes his team can compete for a playoff berth. Eight starters return, losing only Tiffany Tatum (third base) to Cypress College. All-league sophomore Leah Borders and junior Joey Miller return. Borders (catcher) hit .407 and Miller (pitcher) was 7-11, striking out 109, while batting .309. Also returning are Melissa Blank (first base), Molly Dunagan (second base), Jodi Alessi (shortstop), Krista Rojas (outfielder), Monique Galaviz (outfielder) and Kelly Mingus (outfielder).