SOUTH COAST LEAGUE

* Capistrano Valley: 11-15, 7-8 in 1998. Coach: Bob Zamora (22nd year, 349-189-3). Prospects: Capistrano Valley is used to successful, or at least competitive, teams. That might be a problem this season. With senior outfielder Jackson Petry (.265) the only returning starter, the Cougars could spend half the season figuring out who their best players are. That should mean plenty of playing time for the underclassmen on the roster.

* Dana Hills: 19-8, 11-4 in 1998. Coach: Bob Canary (18th year, 205-211-8). Prospects: It would be great if Dana Hills could build on last season’s second-place finish in league. Unfortunately, that was a senior-laden squad, and Canary doesn’t appear to have as much to work with this season. There are four returning senior starters: outfielder Paul Hindman (.284), first baseman Justin Moschina (five home runs), outfielder Parker Jarvis and shortstop Kevin Gasparro. Canary believes senior pitcher Rich Sorenson (2-3, 2.85) is ready to blossom. But don’t expect the Dolphins to glide through this season with the same ease as last season.

* Mater Dei: 22-5, 13-2 in 1998. Coach: Bob Ickes (25th year, 430-175-9). Prospects: Two eras will end in June. Mater Dei will leave the South Coast for the Catholic Athletic Assn., and Ickes steps down as coach. But neither he nor the Monarchs will leave quietly. Mater Dei has yet another potent lineup, led by seniors and all-county infielders Pat Manning (.463, nine home runs, 32 RBIs) and Jon Kinney (.478, six home runs, 32 RBIs), and all-league pitcher Nick Lovato (7-2, 2.29, 61 strikeouts). If you pitch around Manning and Kinney, second-team all-league senior infielder Aaron Escobedo (.373, 23 RBIs), and junior catcher Josh Hanson (.358, seven home runs, 25 RBIs) will make you pay. The pitching is shaky after Lovato, but Mater Dei has a legitimate shot at its first section title since 1980.

* Mission Viejo: 14-11, 6-9 in 1998. Coach: Chris Ashbach (second year, 14-11). Prospects: The Diablos spent last season learning Ashbach’s system. This year, with Capistrano Valley and Dana Hills rebuilding, Mission Viejo is primed to move back into the playoff picture. Second-team all-league junior pitcher John Hudgins (4-3, 70 strikeouts) has a big-time arm. He and senior Joey Reid (4-4, 2.30) give Ashbach a solid 1-2 starting duo. Other returners include all-league senior first baseman Matt Kustura (.398, four home runs) and second-team all-league senior catcher Jeff Toth (.403). Mission Viejo can’t match up with Mater Dei every game, but on any given day, the Diablos can be dangerous.

* San Clemente: 6-19, 2-13 in 1998. Coach: David Gellatly (fifth year, 41-60-2). Prospects: Having lost 10 seniors the year before, Gellatly expected his 1998 team to struggle, and that’s exactly what happened. But some good things came out of a bad season. Second-team all-league senior pitcher Jeff Goodman (four wins, 81 strikeouts) established himself as the team ace. San Clemente’s other pitchers--seniors Jon Grijalva, Paul Kosinski and Adam Miles--picked up the experience that should serve them well this season. Pitching will have to carry the Tritons because the offense is anything but overpowering. But good pitching will also keep them in every game they play.

* Trabuco Hills: 12-13, 6-9 in 1998. Coach: Tim Ellis (first year). Prospects: Todd Gelatka. Remember the name. It’s already imprinted on the minds of dozens of scouts who love the all-league senior’s 93-mph fastball, which helped strike out 78 batters and earned Gelatka an all-league selection. But Gelatka is not the only reason Trabuco Hills could reach the playoffs after a two-year absence. Senior Eric Bowden (2.60 ERA) should win a few games too. And all-league junior outfielder Joe Burgett (.383) is one of the county’s better ball hawks.