EMPIRE LEAGUE

* Century: 11-12-1, 4-5-1 in 1998. Coach: Priscilla Sarmiento (second year, 11-12-1). Prospects: Nine players, all of whom played travel ball together, provide reason for optimism. Catcher Jeanette Ramos (.238) and left fielder Natalie Castro (.329)--who might have to make the transition to first base--are the only seniors on the team. First-team all-league shortstop Ana Villalovos (.338) is most notable among the returning players, who include second baseman Audri Sandoval (.275), third baseman Clair Parga (.203), pitcher/right fielder Kelly Medina (3-2), left fielder Natalie Castro (.329) and two who will see time in the circle, junior outfielder Nicole Silcox (.238) and sophomore Crystal Soto (.250).

* Cypress: 15-13, 6-4 in 1998. Coach: Heather Illsley (second year, 15-13). Prospects: Cypress, which had victories over Woodbridge and Kennedy, lost only two seniors. Junior infielders Jackie Lesher (.298) and Jaime Matoba (.243) return, but two second-team all-league players, first baseman Dusty Creager (.240) and outfielder Amanda Meixel (.438), are concentrating on volleyball after receiving scholarships. Senior catcher Amanda Carlson (.193) and sophomore pitcher/right fielder Kristen Baker (.300) will try to pick up the slack, along with junior pitcher Kiley Majeski.

* El Dorado: 15-10, 6-4 in 1998. Coach: Jill Matyuch (first year). Prospects: Pitcher/third baseman Jill Jessen (.232, 11 RBIs) and catcher/first baseman Caitlin Haworth-Yasger (.227) have signed with Southern California Christian and Fresno State, respectively. Center fielder Sarah Yarbrough (.333, 15 runs, 11 RBIs) and pitcher/first baseman Melissa Hobson (8-3, 0.47) also are college prospects. Yarbrough earned first-team all-league honors last season, and the others were second-team choices. Kristi Durant, a freshman, will start at catcher or third base depending on who’s pitching, Hobson or Jessen, and will bat third.

* Katella: 4-23, 0-10 in 1998. Coach: Melissa Graham (first year). Prospects: The inexperienced Knights’ strength is their battery, junior pitcher Julie Gardosik (first-team all-league) and senior catcher Angel Valdez (second team). Sophomores Melinda Cirafice (OF), Stacey Gardner (P/1B) and junior Laura Reilly (utility) should provide stability. A transfer from Mater Dei, senior third baseman/outfielder Correna Garcia; freshman first baseman Ashley May Ratliff, and Jill Zimmerman, a third baseman/outfielder from the junior varsity, could also help.

* Kennedy: 20-7, 10-0 in 1998. Coach: Sue Hall (12th year, 284-77-2). Prospects: The Fighting Irish won their sixth consecutive league title and are a favorite to repeat, but have question marks at pitching. Freshman Michelle Turner or seniors Carolynn Ruark (4-2, 0.80) or Crystal Eubanks (3-1, 1.57) could emerge. Eubanks (.229), also a right fielder, has signed with Long Island as pitcher. Outfielder Stephanie Wolter (.329), first baseman/right fielder Christen Fien (.227) and third baseman Erica Duncan (.219), junior second baseman Sara Mesa (.271), and sophomore catcher Talasa Vigil (.321) will be counted on to produce offensively. Freshman shortstop Breanne Sabol should have an impact offensively.

* Loara: 9-18-1, 3-6-1 in 1998. Coach: Scott Weber (third year, 9-18-1). Prospects: Gina Vernazzaro (8-6, 0.43) and Jessica Ruggiero (.448, eight RBIs), two-time all-league players, and second-team selection Megan Clark (.376), a junior shortstop, lead the Saxons. Designated hitter Rachel Rice and center fielder Susie Liufau, both sophomores, round out the returning starters. Weber says there is a strong freshman class, including Lauren Lappin, Katie Joosten and Mandy Sorvello, to complement “a good nucleus.” The Saxons lack team speed but should make good contact and play well defensively.