1996 Softball Preview : Sea View League

Corona del Mar: 3-17, 1-9 in 1995. Coach: Scott Gorton (first year). Prospects: The Sea Kings have improved pitching this season. Junior Hayden Aley (4-18), who has pitched almost every game the past two years, will be joined by two transfers from Calvary Chapel, sophomore Erica Greene and junior Linda Van Hook.

El Toro: 17-14, 7-3 in 1995. Coach: Jim Daugherty (11th year, 199-109). Prospects: The Chargers lost two first-team all-league selections to graduation: catcher Kelli Bruce (.390) and third baseman Alicia Groshon (.309). El Toro returns senior first baseman Jennifer Stout (.261), junior second baseman Anne Skidmore (.140), junior third baseman Rachel Wennekamp (.206), senior left fielder Dana Gulick (.283) and senior center fielder Jennifer Hamer (.244). Pitching will be a strong point for the Chargers because of sophomore Stephanie Ellery (10-6, 1.47 earned-run average) and junior Julie Smith (7-7, 1.63). Catcher and shortstop are question marks.

Irvine: 16-10, 8-2 in 1995. Coach: Lisa Baker (seventh year, 118-36). Prospects: The Vaqueros, who shared the league title with Woodbridge last season, lost three starters to graduation, including league most valuable player Amy Young (13-6, .090) and first-team selection Shye Nakabayashi (.171). Irvine’s returning starters: sophomore infielder Lindsay Matthews (.171), junior catcher Missy Brigman (.186), junior second baseman Tyree Woodruff (.306), junior left fielder Debbie Tomoguchi (.390), sophomore center fielder Katy Morrison (.167) and senior right fielder Jamie Brigman (.182).

Newport Harbor: 9-13-1, 1-9-0 in 1995. Coach: Mike Mullen (fourth year, 32-34-1). Prospects: Newport Harbor returns five starters: junior catcher Stephanie Gosselin (.347), junior center fielder Lori Metcalf (.320), senior shortstop Jill Nelsen (.289), senior third baseman Jamie Pulaski (.222) and junior pitcher Molli Mullen (8-10, 2.86). The Sailors’ biggest asset is their speed. They will have to play well to compete in this league.

Santa Margarita: 12-15, 5-5 in 1995. Coach: Tammy Delp (first year). Prospects: Delp hopes her six returning starters will give the Eagles the experience they need to improve on their fifth-place league finish last season. The returning starters: junior infielder Danielle Rickert (.270), sophomore catcher Nicole Piscitelli (.222), senior outfielder Kari Fenelli (.250), sophomore outfielder Christina Ashley (.274), sophomore pitcher Leea Harlan (4-8, 1.09 ERA) and junior pitcher Jackie Farmer (7-4, 1.01).

Woodbridge: 24-9, 8-2 in 1995. Coach: Alan Dugard (fifth year, 122-35). Prospects: When asked which would be the top team in the league this season, El Toro Coach Jim Daugherty wrote, “Silly question!” Woodbridge tied with Irvine for the league title last season and the Warriors are the defending Southern Section Division II champions. Woodbridge lost three key players to graduation: designated hitter Lisa Weaver (.377), a first-team all-league selection last season, shortstop Carrie Brown (.277) and catcher Michelle Hague (.288). The Warriors are loaded with returners. They include sophomore pitcher Christy Robitaille (21-5, 0.43), junior first baseman Ashley Boone (.385), a first-team all Southern Section Division II selection last season, sophomore second baseman Nichole Thompson (.351), junior third baseman Lizzie Lemire (.347), senior center fielder Cory Washington, sophomore right fielder Lisa Watanabe (.308) and senior left fielder Lolita Harper (.256).