1996 Softball Preview : Golden West League

Ocean View: 18-7-1, 11-3-1 in 1995. Coach: John Sansone (third year, 35-14-1). Prospects: Five starters return for the Seahawks and six others are also back, but replacing All-Southern Section pitcher Kathy Ponce, now at Arizona State, will be a chore. The Seahawks look strong up the middle with shortstop Lovie Jung and second baseman Lisa Messick returning. Also back is first baseman Sara Gulla, who can also pitch, third baseman-catcher Cara Vanderhook and left fielder Lisa Parra. Janina Miller, Daniella Garcia, Malissa Wilkinson, Jamie Willson, Leslie Murillo and Jennifer Wright also return. Top newcomers include Leah Gulla, Tia Jordan, Jenee Cline and Dawn White.

Rosary: 21-7, 13-2 in 1995. Coach: Tom Tice, (third year, 34-16). Prospects: The Royals were a bit of a disappointment last season. They began the playoffs seeded third but lost in the second round. Six players from that team return, including pitcher Julie Luna. She had a 14-4 record and a 0.32 earned-run average. She hit .379 and drove in 22 runs. First baseman Robyn Leonhardt hit .400 with a .614 on-base average. Outfielder Kathleen Celio hit .303, pitcher-shortstop Lesley Fulton hit .460 with a .770 slugging percentage and 19 stolen bases. Second baseman-outfielder Laura Fulton batted .337, stole 16 bases and scored 22 runs. And outfielder Theresa Crenin hit .455 as a slap hitter. There are a host of newcomers,which has Tice looking forward to this season. And for good reason: “We should be better than last year’s team,” he said. “We’re faster and our pitching has improved.”

Saddleback: 7-11, 5-10 in 1995. Coach: Kurt Heller (first year). Prospects: Eight players return. Pitcher Linsey Buendia is a two-time first-team all-league pick. Through her first four games this season, she had 50 strikeouts. Catcher Monica Espinosa, a transfer from Santa Ana Valley, has looked good as well. First baseman DeAna Guzman and shortstop Cynthia Silva are expected to be standouts. “Rosary looks to be the best, but there’s about three or four of us bunched right in there fighting for a playoff spot,” Heller said.

Santa Ana: 1-23, 0-15 in 1995. Coach: Glenn Mitchell (seventh year, 20-108). Prospects: Pitcher Melissa Eichenberger will anchor the pitching staff. Shortstop and leadoff batter Leta Espinosa is back. Senior backup pitcher Mary Perez adds depth. “We try to be consistent and get timely hits,” said Mitchell, who thinks five victories is a possibility this season.

Tustin: 8-14-1, 4-10-1 in 1995. Coach: Sandra Favata (second year, 8-14). Prospects: Sophomore shortstop Nicole Stokes, a .460 hitter, returns as the leadoff hitter. She was caught only once in 35 steal attempts. Catcher-third baseman Jenny Odum, outfielder Janna Needham and designed hitter-first baseman Michelle Silvas also return. Janelle Grejeda, a transfer pitcher from Century, has been a big boost. Top freshmen expected to produce include Brook Brown, a pitcher-first baseman, and Sarah Montes, a catcher-outfielder.

Westminster: 14-9, 11-4 in 1995. Coach: Conway deSha (first year). Prospects: The Lions’ first-year coach has a young team, but one that comes from a softball-rich area. “We can sneak by you if you do not take us seriously,” de Sha said. Six starters return, including junior Kelly Hauxhurst, the team’s mainstay last season and a Times all-county first-team performer. She hit .520 and stole 36 bases. Also back are Monica Montroy (.339), Elvia Gonzalez, Melanie Heinle (.429), Krissy Keene, Amy McManus and Bridgette Quinn. Freshmen Ashley Moranto, a pitcher, and Lacy Hauxhurst, a catcher, are promising.