GOLDEN WEST LEAGUE

* Ocean View: 21-10, 12-3 in 1998. Coach: Steve Barrett (11th year, 168-108). Prospects: Finishing second in league to Servite would have been satisfactory for many teams. But the Seahawks’ 1998 season did not end until they upset La Quinta for the section Division IV championship. The stars from that team--pitcher Pete Montrenes (12-3, 1.37), first baseman Jason Martini (.455, eight home runs, 34 RBIs) and Jason Miller (eight home runs)--have graduated. There is a good core group of players left: senior catcher Anthony Vega (.340), junior shortstop John Clark (.400) and infielder Chris Savage (.300) were first- or second-team all-league picks. But Servite has reloaded; Ocean View did not.

* Saddleback: 3-21-1, 2-12-1 in 1998. Coach: Bob Mangram (26th year, 225-261-5). Prospects: Few county coaches can match Mangram’s longevity and there’s no telling how long he will stay. It would be nice to see him with one more great team. This squad isn’t at that level yet. The Roadrunners have five returning starters, paced by senior catcher Ronnie Valdivia and junior utility player Jesse Romeo. Seniors Sal Pedroza and Jesus Perez and junior Victor Ortiz will pitch. A .500 season overall is probably a realistic goal.

* Santa Ana: 4-19-1, 0-14-1 in 1998. Coach: Gary Crippen (first year). Prospects: Crippen is one of three new coaches in the league, and his assignment is the toughest. Crippen has already lost two key players: junior pitcher Tony Jones has a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the left knee, and junior second baseman Rey Flores (.389), a second team all-league pick, underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. No matter, the Saints will not hold any pity parties. “We are going to be better and we are going to push for a playoff berth,” Crippen said.

* Servite: 20-7-1, 13-2 in 1998. Coach: Todd Cook (first year). Prospects: Cook’s situation is the opposite of Crippen’s. The Friars are flush. All-county senior pitcher Brian Wolfe (11-2, 1.37, 139 strikeouts) was the area’s best all-around hurler last year. All-league senior catcher Ryan Garko (.426, eight home runs, 30 RBIs) is one of the county’s best hitters. Want more all-league picks among the seven returning starters? There’s senior shortstop Joe Schaefer (.329, 20 RBIs) and outfielder Ben Francisco (.307). Now factor in a team with 13 seniors hungry to win a section championship. Servite has the ability to go far, and should.

* Tustin: 17-8, 8-7 in 1998. Coach: Greg Jennings (third year, 36-14). Prospects: The Tillers were probably the best county team not to make the playoffs last year. The inability to beat Servite or Ocean View doomed Tustin to a shorter season than planned. The task is not easier this year as Jennings has only four returning starters. Senior third baseman Brian Burns (.300, six home runs) and senior shortstop Omar Barrera (.310, two home runs) were first- and second-team all-leaguers. Senior pitcher Jimbo Sanjurjo (3-3, 2.73) shows promise. Tustin traditionally fields a good team, but there’s not much to suggest the Tillers are headed back to the playoffs this season, either.

* Westminster: 17-10, 9-6 in 1998. Coach: Bill Whiteley (first year). Prospects: Whiteley is a new head coach, but he is not new to Westminster, having coached here in the 1980s. Graduation took away the Lions’ heart and soul in Mike Carey, league co-MVP and an all-county second-team pick who batted .582 and was 11-1 as a pitcher. What’s left is still good. Senior Rick Guerrero (.344) is a two-time all-league outfielder-pitcher, and senior catcher-infielder Justin Thompson (.338) was a second-team selection. Keep an eye on sophomore pitcher-infielder Freddie Rodriguez (.444 in league play.)