Realignment Comes and Goes, but Mater Dei Stays on Top

The softball teams at Anaheim Canyon and Garden Grove Pacifica have to be smiling, while those at Upland High and throughout Riverside County are probably a bit glum.

That’s because the Southern Section realigned its softball playoff divisions this year.

Everything is organized by enrollment now. Upland, a Division III finalist a year ago, and seven of the eight quarterfinalists from Inland Empire-dominated Division IV find themselves moving up in division to play against schools of similar size. At the same time, Pacifica and Canyon, veterans of Division I, are favorites in Division III, moved down because of their smaller enrollments.

Teams used to be grouped by their leagues into divisions, based loosely on enrollment and program strength.

One thing remains the same. Mater Dei is the team to beat. Coach Doug Myers has seven starters back from one of the best high school teams in state history.

A look at The Times’ top 20 teams in the Southland:

1. Santa Ana Mater Dei, Southern Section, Division I, 30-1 in 1996--Myers has 12 players back from a Monarch squad that was named state team of the year by Cal-Hi Sports. Two of them were All-Southern Section picks: freshman pitcher Marissa Young and junior second baseman Kelsey Kollen.

2. Garden Grove Pacifica, Southern Section, Division III, 26-4--Pacifica has 74 wins in the last three years, but the Mariners have lost in the quarterfinals the past two years in extra-inning games. Coach Rob Weil can turn to the best one-two pitching punch in the section in senior Toni Mascarenas and junior Amanda Freed.

3. Camarillo, Southern Section, Division I, 24-3-1--The Scorpions advanced to the Division I final last season before losing to Mater Dei, but new Coach Miki Mangan hopes to take her alma mater to the next level. Mangan played on Camarillo’s only section championship team, in 1991, and hopes to return to the title game behind the arm of All-Southern Section junior pitcher Cindy Ball (12-2).

4. Santa Ana Foothill, Southern Section, Division I, 29-3--Foothill was the only school to defeat Mater Dei last year and was top-seeded in Division I, losing to Camarillo in the semifinals. Coach Joe Gonzalez has six starters back, including All-Southern Section selections in sophomore shortstop Jaime Clark and senior outfielder Lauren Bauer.

5. Irvine Woodbridge, Southern Section, Division II, 24-3-1--Woodbridge won the Division II title in 1994, but fell a step short last season when it dropped a 1-0 decision to Saugus in the division championship game. Three All-Southern Section players return for Coach Alan Dugard: junior pitcher Christy Robitaille (21-5, 0.34 earned-run average, 192 strikeouts), third baseman Lizzy Lemire (.364, 23 runs batted in) and senior first baseman Ashley Boone (.349).

6. Thousand Oaks, Southern Section, Division I, 21-9--Thousand Oaks finished third in the Marmonte League last spring, but playoff wins over league champions San Marcos and Gahr opened some eyes, as did a narrow 1-0 quarterfinal loss to Mater Dei. The entire team returns, including three All-Southern Section performers in catcher Justine Rachlin, first baseman Erika Hansen and pitcher Jennifer Sharron (0.34 ERA).

7. La Mirada, Southern Section, Division II, 24-3-1--Like Pacifica, La Mirada has two standout pitchers in senior Kristi Martin and junior Jennie Finch. Last year the Matadores lost to Saugus in a Division II semifinal.

8. Upland, Southern Section, Division I, 26-5--Upland fell just short of repeating as Division III champions, going 12 innings in the final before losing, 1-0, to La Serna. The entire infield was lost to NCAA Division I schools, but Upland should be strong again behind senior pitcher Sarah Farnworth and her cousin, Stacey Farnworth, a senior catcher.

9. Fountain Valley, Southern Section, Division I, 17-10--Fountain Valley has been bounced from the playoffs in the first round in three of the last four seasons, but freshman pitcher Colleen Burdick might change that. She is considered the top freshman in Orange County.

10. Righetti, Southern Section, Division II, 25-7--Righetti advanced to the Division II semifinals before falling to Woodbridge, 1-0, in 11 innings. An All-Southern Section battery in junior pitcher Jocelyn Forest and catcher Debralee Troesh returns.

11. Westminster, Southern Section, Division I, 20-7--Without a senior on the team, Westminster surprised some with a 20-win season and a three-way tie for the Golden West League championship. Second-year Coach Conway DeSha now has 10 seniors, including second baseman/outfielder Kelly Hauxhurst (.500, 27 RBIs) and shortstop Krissy Keene (.433, 26 RBIs).

12. Anaheim Canyon, Southern Section, Division III, 22-11--Canyon went unrecognized most of the season, but got hot with three playoff wins before a Division I semifinal loss to Mater Dei. Canyon’s hopes rest with All-Southern Section pitcher Veronica Lopez, who won 16 games and batted .411.

13. Irvine, Southern Section, Division I, 22-7-1--Irvine has lived in Woodbridge’s shadow since moving from the South Coast League to the Sea View League for the 1993 softball season. With nine starters back, however, Irvine should make a run at Woodbridge. Senior outfielder Debbie Tomoguchi hit .409 last year and was an All-Southern Section pick.

14. Simi Valley, Southern Section, Division I, 15-13--The Pioneers finished fourth in the Marmonte League last year, but the league was the deepest in Southern California and will be again. Hopes are high for the Pioneers, who are led by two juniors: pitcher/shortstop Lori Tande and first baseman Dawn Carifi.

15. Saugus, Southern Section, Division II, 27-4--Saugus won its last 17 games and the Division II championship last season behind Jamie Gillies (24-3). Senior Nicole Giordano was the Division II player of the year as she hit .498 and stole 51 bases. She will move from shortstop to pitcher.

16. Corona, Southern Section, Division I, 22-9-1--Corona tied for second in the Mountain View League a year ago, but the Panthers are considered the team to beat in Riverside County. All-Southern Section pitcher Nicole DiSalvio, a senior, has been a star since her freshman season. She will be supported by junior power hitter Jessica Smith and junior Kiara Burneleit.

17. Newhall Hart, Southern Section, Division II, 21-8--Nine returning starters and a strong freshman crop bode well. Junior third baseman Kellie Nordhagen was an All-Southern Section choice and leads the veteran group, which also includes senior infielder Chris Chow and junior catcher Danni Socha.

18. Glendora St. Lucy’s, Southern Section, Division III, 24-5--Despite losing powerful Stacy Nuveman to UCLA, don’t expect the Regents to be down. Nine of 10 starters return from a team that advanced to the Division III semifinals, and that group includes two All-Southern Section juniors and four seniors headed for NCAA Division I schools.

19. Moreno Valley Valley View, Southern Section, Division I, 18-8--The three-time defending Sunbelt League champions add an outstanding freshman class and, with their youth and depth, should make quite an impact in Riverside County. Leading the way is freshman pitcher Keira Goerl, who led the American Softball Assn. Dynasty to a national championship in 1994.

20. Woodland Hills El Camino Real, City Section, Division 4-A, 17-4--The Conquistadors won the 4-A title last year, but Coach Niels Ludlow has some rebuilding to do. The defending West Valley League champions have only four starters back. Leading the way is senior outfielder Ramona Shelburne, an All-City selection who will move to catcher.