ORANGE LEAGUE

* Anaheim: 4-16, 1-9 in 1998. Coach: James Steen (first year). Prospects: Last season was one to build on for the Colonists; their four victories were three more than they had the previous three seasons. There are six seniors on the team, but they’ll live or die with a freshman pitcher, Jessica Lampton. The infield returns almost intact, with senior second baseman Esmerelda Villegas, junior shortstop Monica Gutierrez and senior third baseman Veronica Felix.

* Brea Olinda: 19-6, 10-0 in 1998. Coach: Sharen Caperton (15th year, 209-109). Prospects: Graduated senior Geney Orris (41 RBIs) is long gone, like one of her section record 30 career home runs, leaving the Wildcats in the hands of sophomore pitcher/third baseman Erin Hessman (4-1, 0.19) and senior pitcher/first baseman Tiffany Whitton (3-2, 2.13). Hessman batted .383 and drove in 21 runs and Whitton batted .390 with 18 RBIs. Each hit four home runs last season as Brea won its third consecutive league title. Senior outfielder Erin Chang (.312, 12 RBIs) was a first-team all-league selection. The junior double-play tandem, shortstop Michelle Greenwood (.154) and second baseman Kelly Nakagawa (.238), round out Brea’s five returning starters. Senior outfielder/first baseman Jodee Collier batted .304.

* Magnolia: 8-18, 4-6 in 1998. Coach: Joe Yorba (first year). Prospects; Yorba replaces Debi Burlison, who directed the program for 10 seasons and compiled a 117-116 record. The Sentinels won’t be doing anything flashy this season as Yorba concentrates on basics with a team that has only five lettermen and three starters, senior pitcher/third baseman Candace Garcia, senior second baseman Lynda Evans, and junior pitcher/outfielder Jessica Louwsma. Garcia was a first-team player last season, and Louwsma a second-team selection. Senior pitcher/outfielder Kristin Todd and junior shortstop Katie Todd also return. “It’s a young team,” Yorba said, “but talented.”

* Savanna: 9-12, 5-5 in 1998. Coach: Dan Plamann (fourth year, 20-45). Prospects: Young, but with an aggressive attitude, is how Plamann describes his team. Junior catcher Dallas Lambert, senior outfielder/first baseman Elvia Gutierrez and sophomore pitcher/outfielder Mary Ciminesi will try to pick up the slack left by the graduation of Michelle Bonner (.408) and Jamie Racke (four home runs). Three others probably step into starting roles: catcher Susana Banuelos, second baseman Erin Delgado and outfielder Janel Flauding.

* Valencia: 16-13, 8-2 in 1998. Coach: John German (second year, 29-28). Prospects: Six returning starters, including three first-team all-league players, return for the Tigers. Senior catcher Annie Dedic and two sophomores, pitcher/shortstop Michelle Whiteman and center fielder Kim Miller, try to end Brea’s reign as league champion. Valencia’s strength is up the middle, with junior second baseman/shortstop Georgia Cisneros also returning, but someone must step up to replace the graduated pitcher, Aubrey Zamora (11-6, 0.91). Senior left fielder Kate Eatherton and junior third baseman Rebecca Robinson also return to the starting lineup. Help could come from from transfers junior Apryl Jensen (Mater Dei) or sophomore Krystal Zavala (El Dorado).

* Western: 5-21, 2-8 in 1998. Coach: Ivy Pinkerton (second year, 5-21). Prospects: The Pioneers’ fortunes will depend on their offense to compensate for average pitching. Audra Ratajczak, an all-league shortstop, returns with pitcher/first baseman Nikki Reyes, junior center fielder Sonia Cortes and senior second baseman Tiffany Vasquez returning. Three freshmen are likely to start, Candyce McMorris (catcher) and her twin sister, Constance (right fielder/first baseman) and Sarah Vanvalkenberg (third baseman).