1996 Softball Preview : Orange League

Anaheim: 3-13, 1-9 in 1995. Coach: Josette Naranjo (second year, 3-13). Prospects: catcher Maribel Plascencia, shortstop Martha Carmona, pitcher Laura Benitez, left fielder Violet Martinez, first baseman Natalie Rubalcava and right fielder Cynthia Hernandez are senior starters who return. Other starters back include center fielder Yadira Morena and third baseman Blanca Martinez. Three players who have pitched are available, but the graduation of pitcher Alvia Beltran will hurt.

Brea Olinda: 13-13, 4-6 in 1995. Coach: Sharen Caperton (23rd year, 152-91). Prospects: The Ladycats figure to challenge for the league title with 12 returning players, including seven seniors, who saw action last season. They are: pitcher-infielders Gretchen Thompson and Angie Thompson, outfielders Michele Celaya and Brandi Chaney, infielders Erica Shanley, Susan Shuplock and Catie Profeta, utility players Ashley Case and Kaycee Zywocienski, pitchers-outfielders Nikki Hickin and Geney Orris and catcher Anne Knobbe. “These girls played together last year and they all want to win,” Caperton said.

Magnolia: 17-9-1, 7-3 in 1995. Coach: Debi Burlison (eighth year, 88-72). Prospects: The Sentinels return nine players. Pitchers Tiffany Mercado, a senior, Chrissy Hartman, a junior, and Sara Louwsma, a sophomore, give Magnolia a solid pitching staff. If any of the three struggle, there’s junior Wendy Drake waiting in the wings. Hartman also batted .380 and drove in 19 runs. Also back are center fielder Shannon Carlson, a .299 hitter, shortstop Nicole Faircloth, catcher Jannell Hanstein, third baseman Wendy Hart, left fielder Maria Levario and right fielder Andrea Picchi. Outfielder Kristi Benedict and first baseman Christina Ontiveros also are expected to contribute.

Savanna: 19-8, 6-4 in 1995. Coach: Dan Plamann (first year). Plamann inherited eight returning players. They are shortstop Sandra Mulder, first baseman April Olson, catcher Katie Johnson, infielders Jennifer Cope, Jamie Racke and Jacque Gonzalez and outfielders Alicia Olson and Crystal Zaleski.

Valencia: 10-14-1, 5-5 in 1995. Coach: Bob Routledge (fourth year, 21-28). Prospects: The Tigers, who return eight starters, are expected to battle Brea and Western for the league’s top spot. Pitcher Audrey Zamora, who posted a 0.95 earned-run average, and shortstop Kathleen Cunningham, a .457 hitter, are back, as are first baseman Erica Harding (.318) and second baseman Ginger Swanson, who sat out the league season last year because of an injury. Also returning are third baseman Deseray Navarrette, pitcher-outfielder Allison Jacobs, outfielder-first baseman Erin Dedic and designated hitter Jennifer Routledge. Backups looking to contribute include Megan Arias, Marlene Guerrero and Glorybel Reynoso. “Our hitting and experience has improved,” Bob Routledge said. He predicted the Tigers will have enough to earn a playoff berth this season.

Western: 15-12, 7-3 in 1995. Coach: Carl Whitson (eighth year, 106-105). Prospects: The Pioneers, who return three starters, can’t be counted out in the league title chase under the colorful veteran Whitson. Although Western has no bona-fide standouts, according to the coach, the Pioneers have “general overall strength and we play team ball,” Whitson said. Top returners include shortstop Adrienne Ratajczak, catcher Kelly Humphries and pitcher Andrea LaPena. Also returning are outfielders Claudia Cortes, Tonna Diorio and Diane Pouliot, second baseman Jamie Jones and third baseman Mary Helen Zuniga.