Edison: 8-15, 0-10 in 1996. Coach: Suzy...

Edison: 8-15, 0-10 in 1996. Coach: Suzy Mathieson (first year). Prospects: Mathieson picks up the pieces from a year ago and gets help from a solid group of young players coming into the program. Mathieson, who played at Estancia and Orange Coast before earning a volleyball scholarship to Long Beach State, has coined a team phrase, “Win what’s important now.” Freshman third baseman/catcher Jamie Birk brings a solid bat into the third slot in the batting order, senior pitcher Yasmin Mossadeghi will hit cleanup, followed by senior outfielder Lisa Helo. Freshman Hillary Hamilton will bat leadoff. Mathieson hopes to turn around the program while creating a team concept.

Esperanza: 6-15, 2-8 in 1996. Coach: Robert Alessi (first year). Prospects: Defense will determine if Esperanza can improve on its fifth-place finish of a year ago. Alessi will be counting on pitcher Catie Lacy, shortstop Koral King and catcher Julia Cappelli to make it happen. With eight starters returning, Alessi hopes that improvement comes sooner than later.

Fountain Valley: 17-10, 8-2 in 1996. Coach: Cary Baker (15th year, 271-120-2). Prospects: The Barons’ four senior starters will be the key as to whether Fountain Valley can repeat as league champions. The senior group consists of catcher/outfielder Lindsey Collins (.364, 18 runs, 15 stolen bases), a returning all-Southern Section and all-county selection, as well as all-league infielders Jackie Killian, Lisa Layton and Andrea Kleckner. Sophomore catcher/shortstop Rocky Staniorski was also an all-league selection. Freshman pitcher Colleen Burdick could be an impact player.

Huntington Beach: 20-9, 8-2 in 1996. Coach: Julie Anderson (10th year, 113-116-1). Prospects: Huntington Beach graduated eight seniors from its co-championship team last season, but still returns four starters. Senior catcher Kristin Vardiman and senior third baseman Danielle Armendariz will provide the Oilers’ power from the heart of the batting order. Junior center fielder Bryn Kreipl was a second-team all-league selection last season, and did not make an error during the season. She will use her slap-hitting ability to get on base from the second spot of the order, and her twin, Jamie Kreipl, who was errorless in left field, will probably hit leadoff. Andrea Nielsen also returns for Huntington Beach and she will be the Oilers No. 1 pitcher; Michelle DeYoung will back her up.

Los Alamitos: 16-11-1, 6-4 in 1996. Coach: Jami Shannon (19th year, 283-153-3). Prospects: The Griffins’ buzzword is depth. Mandy Rockwell (13-8, 0.60) will share duties with Cathy Sponheim, who missed last season with an illness. The defense, which includes Times All-County senior infielder Cyndi Tredway (.369, 19 runs, 19 RBIs), and seniors Brooke Donberg (.330, 17 runs) and first baseman Dinha Mead, will be bolstered by the addition of freshman shortstop Phelan Wright. The offense should be more productive with speedy freshman outfielder Kristin Farber at the top of the order and sophomore catcher Sara Kahler (.389, 14 runs, 21 RBIs) again batting cleanup.

Marina: 13-13-1, 6-4 in 1996. Coach: Shelly Luth (seventh year, 121-41-1). Prospects: Marina returns five starters from last season’s third-place team. The battery of Heather Hagen and Alicia Velazquez will be counted on heavily if the Vikings are going to improve on their 1997 finish. Center fielder Nikki Wilcox, right fielder Bobbie Jo Wimmer and third baseman Brooke Boyer are Marina’s other returning starters.