They Don’t Rebuild, They Just Reload

Many of the top players in the Southland last season have moved on to college, but the perennial powers they left are expected to battle for softball championships.

Most of the strongest programs in the Southern Section are in Orange County, San Fernando Valley, and North Coast area, though teams from the Inland Empire and areas such as Cerritos continue to establish themselves as division champions and title contenders.

San Pedro is the defending City Section champion, but the Pirates figure to be challenged for the title this season by Woodland Hills El Camino Real.

Here are 10 teams to watch:

* SANTA ANA FOOTHILL (1998 RECORD: 23-5)

Seven starters return for the Knights, who lost in the Division I quarterfinals last season. Seniors Courtney Fossatti and Lauren Schwendimann are the top pitchers for a team that also includes talented shortstop Jaime Clark and second baseman Eryn Manahan. First baseman Kristen Mann and outfielder Erin Mobley were key players last year as freshmen.

* SANTA ANA MATER DEI (30-3)

The defending Division I champion Monarchs have a new coach, Ed Ulloa, who won two Southern Section titles in the last four years at Upland. Ulloa inherits a team that features a dynamic one-two punch on the mound with junior Tia Bolliger and senior Marissa Young. Senior third baseman Ruby Rojas and junior outfielder Courtney Betley are returning starters.

* CERRITOS (25-6)

The Dons lost only one player from a team that advanced to the Southern Section Division II final before losing to Quartz Hill. Seniors Jaime O’Neal and Jessica vanderLinden give Cerritos a talented pitching duo and senior Sara Winters is an experienced catcher. Senior third baseman Brandi Stuart and junior Julie Hoshizaki, who moves from the outfield to second base, complete the Dons’ nucleus. Freshman outfielder Kristen Hillstead is expected to contribute immediately.

* QUARTZ HILL (24-3-2)

Left-hander Jodie Cox will try to pitch Quartz Hill to its second consecutive Southern Section Division II championship. Cox, who will attend Cal State Fullerton, was 24-3 with a 0.32 earned-run average last season. Cox also batted .455 with nine homers and 31 runs batted in.

* GARDEN GROVE PACIFICA (29-3)

The Mariners won two consecutive section titles with Amanda Freed on the mound. Freed is pitching for UCLA, but there is plenty of talent at Pacifica. Jessica Soto, who was 12-1 last year, is the new ace. Senior catcher Torie Auelua and junior shortstop Diana Barreras are among the returning starters.

* IRVINE WOODBRIDGE (28-6-1)

The Warriors are going for their third Southern Section title in four years after losing to Cerritos in last year’s Division II semifinals. Christy Robitaille, who won 86 games in her career, has graduated, leaving the pitching duties to Tracey Alcazar, who was 8-2 as a junior. Senior shortstop Natasha Watley, who batted .484 and stole 24 bases, give the Warriors one of the Southland’s best leadoff hitters.

* FOUNTAIN VALLEY (19-13)

The Barons have eight returning starters along with pitchers Colleen Burdick and Natalie King. Outfielder Inez Vasquez and catcher Rocky Staniorski lead the offense, which needs to increase its production for Fountain Valley to establish itself as one of the truly elite teams.

* WEST HILLS CHAMINADE (20-7-1)

The Eagles are led by senior pitcher Maureen LeCocq, who began the season having thrown 164 consecutive innings without giving up an earned run. LeCocq, who will attend Stanford, was 20-8 with 255 strikeouts and a 0.06 ERA last season and helped Chaminade reach the Division IV semifinals. LeCocq, however, dislocated her left shoulder Tuesday in a nonleague game against Simi Valley. She is questionable for Saturday’s doubleheader against Mater Dei.

* NEWBURY PARK (19-9)

The Panthers are an aberration of sorts, a winning high school team that relies more on its offense than dominant pitching. Junior Oli Keohohou batted .516 with 24 extra-base hits last season and is one of eight returning starters.

* CRESCENTA VALLEY (24-6)

Sophomore Meredith Cervenka and senior Melinda Moulden, who has signed with Michigan, give the Falcons outstanding pitching. The two players are expected to lead Crescenta Valley to the Pacific League title and into contention for a section title.

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Staff writers Gary Klein, Martin Henderson and correspondent Dave Desmond contributed to this story.