FREEWAY LEAGUE

* Buena Park: 9-14, 3-7 in 1998. Coach: Brenda Sapp (10th year, 84-110-2). Prospects: Junior Stefanie Beltran was a first-team all-league pitcher last season for the Coyotes, who have six returning starters in the lineup, including catcher Kristen Huisenga, first baseman Kerry Jessup and speedy center fielder Tami Darrow. Junior shortstop Lolani Alvarez and sophomore third baseman Carra Cook were second-team all-league players.

* Fullerton: 8-10-1, 2-8 in 1998. Coach: Paula Dobrowolski (third year, 12-32-1). Prospects: Eight starters are back for the Indians, including their lone first-team all-league selection, sophomore pitcher/catcher Joanna Gray. She is joined by sister Rachel, a senior shorstop/first baseman, junior third baseman Carrie Cohen and junior center fielder Rachelle Bock, a second-team all-leaguer.

* La Habra: 21-8-1, 9-1 in 1998. Coach: Sue Briquelet (eighth year, 139-51-1). Prospects: The Highlanders will be without graduated catcher Jenny Topping (.559, 22 RBIs), a three-time Times’ all-county catcher, and pitcher Christina Gibbons (.413, 23 RBIs; 14-7, 0.43 ERA). La Habra won three consecutive league titles with them, and will be banking on Elaine Elsesser (7-1, 0.74) to continue that success. Third baseman Christina Carrillo (.350, 18 RBIs, 16 stolen bases) and catcher/first baseman Kaysie Thompson (.325), and outfielders Coral Whitmarsh and Michelle Faulkinbury are the returning senior starters, and second baseman Cassie Preece (.375, 19 stolen bases) and sophomore shortstop Erin Murray (.300) are juniors. Two freshmen, right fielder Nikki Shan and first baseman Rhonda Borbon, will start.

* Sonora: 17-12, 7-3 in 1998. Coach: John Link (third year, 37-22). Prospects: With Topping and Gibbons out of La Habra’s lineup, Sonora has a real chance to win the league title. The Raiders have eight starters returning, including two pitchers, Andee Lindgren (7-6, 0.82 ERA) and Carrie Routledge (5-2, 1.20). Lindgren, also a first baseman, batted .345. Shortstop Jennifer Link (.408) and catcher/third baseman Dawn Ramynke (.395, three home runs) head the offense, though. Link, who signed with Ohio State, batted .410 and Ramynke .395 and, like Lindgren, were first-team all-league performers. Third baseman Natalie Garcia batted .305, and senior catcher Lillian Hewko also returns. Two players from the junior varsity could also have an impact: Jennifer Reyes, who hits with power, and Sarah Berokoff, a slapper with speed.

* Sunny Hills: 10-15, 3-7 in 1998. Coach: Kathy Bevill (sixth year, 55-62). Prospects: The Lancers, an experienced group, could upset someone’s title hopes. They return six starters, including junior third baseman Erin Jones, who has already been a first-team all-league player twice. Junior left fielder Jamie LaFleur was a second-team all-league choice, and Hele Kaawa earned all-tournament honors at last year’s Brea tournament. Defense could be critical because the offense will have to scratch out its scoring opportunities. A strong group of freshmen, pitcher Shannon Deutschman, corner infielder Stacee Monaco and catcher Cameron Danly, could play important roles for the Lancers.

* Troy: 19-11, 6-4 in 1998. Coach: Sue Garrison (second year, 19-11). Prospects: A strong infield and the return of junior pitcher Lindsey Knoff provide hope for making a stir at the top of the standings. Knoff (15-7, 0.49) gave up 24 runs last season, 11 earned; the Warriors hope to reduce that total. Shortstop Jennifer Brechtel (.256) and catcher Kristin Hodges (.263), both seniors, lead six returning starters, including senior Crystal Moore, junior first baseman Sophia Reynolds (.325) and sophomore infielder Lisa Jackson (.328).