1996 Softball Preview : Small Schools

Capistrano Valley Christian: 3-14-1, 0-9 in the Academy League in 1995. Coach: Rodger Markum (seventh year, 51-73). Prospects: Markum returns after a four-year hiatus. He coached the Eagles from 1986-91. Capistrano Valley Christian returns five starters.

Connelly: 11-5, 6-3 in the Academy League in 1995. Coach: Manny Marrujo (first year). Prospects: There are three returning starters: pitcher Christina Marker (8-5), catcher Tami Gustavsen, who played third base last season, and first baseman Jami Berdelis, who played right field last season. Marrujo replaced Timmerie Henry, who led the team to 12 league titles from 1978-95 and was 300-41.

Fairmont: First-year program. Coach: Jay Sadler (first year). Prospects: Fairmont has seven freshmen, two sophomores and a junior on its roster. Catcher Missy Lucia and infielder Traci Carreon, freshmen, are key players. Junior pitcher and infielder Liz Rule is a transfer from Liberty Christian.

Huntington Beach Claremont: 5-10, 4-7 in the Express League in 1995. Coach: Pati Kent (fourth year). Prospects: The Cougars return seven starters from last season, including shortstop Kastell Kent, catcher Carla Robles and pitcher Sara Stubbs.

Heritage Christian: 0-16, 0-14 in the Express League in 1995. Coach: Tom Caffrey (second year, 0-16). Prospects: This is the first year in the Express League for the Patriots, who return seven starters.

Liberty Christian: 11-9, 5-4 in the Academy League in 1995. Coach: Rudy Sass (ninth year, 105-56). Prospects: The Minutemen finished in third place in league last season and did not make the playoffs for the first time in six years. They will be led by seven returning starters: first baseman Lynlee Vaccaro, pitcher Michelle Hulick, third baseman Lydia Baltodano, second baseman Lisa Winters, shortstop Becky Rendon, catcher Evette Duran and outfielder Julie Halpin.

Orangewood Academy: 10-4 in 1995. Coach: Larry Haskins (first year). Prospects: The Spartans, first-year members of the Academy League after playing a free-lance schedule last season, are led by five returning starters: third baseman Jaclyn Machado, center fielder Susan Stein, shortstop Joyce Arevalo, catcher Jenny Barron and center fielder Crystal Holmes.

St. Margaret’s: 11-9, 7-2 in the Academy League in 1995. Coach: Nancy Linaweaver (second year, 11-9). Prospects: The Tartans return four first-team all-league selections from last year, when they advanced to the quarterfinals of the Southern Section Division VI tournament: shortstop Natasha Kovilaritch (18 stolen bases), first baseman Gina Arreola, pitcher-catcher Abbey Arnold (.411) and pitcher-catcher Amber Arnold (2.09 earned-run average).

Southern California Christian: 10-10, 6-4 in the Arrowhead League in 1995. Coach: Paul Kushner (first year). Prospects: Key returners are sophomore right fielder Erika Nelson (.431) and sophomore center fielder Cami Horvath (.475).

Bethel Baptist: 4-9, 4-7 in the Express League in 1995. Coach: Larry Barton (first year). Prospects: The Warriors return two starters, shortstop Maryann Vasquez, who played first base last season, and first baseman Elizabeth Williams, who played catcher.