PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Brethren Christian

Coach: Mike Davis

1999 record: 1-18

League record: 0-12

Only three starters, all sophomores, return for Mike Davis (second year), third baseman Danielle Hall (.467), middle infielder Michelle Beatty and outfielder Andrea Rosado. Sophomore transfer Jennifer Hoffman from Iowa inherits most of the pitching duties and should benefit from freshman catcher Kim Raggucci, who will provide stability. The Warriors were mercy-rule victims several times, but a steady battery should make them more competitive.

Calvary Chapel

Coach: Dave Rolph

1999 record: 16-8

League record: 9-3

The Eagles battled through the midseason resignation of Coach Rose Imbriano, regrouped and reached the Division V final under Donna King before losing to Pomona Catholic. Some outstanding talent returns, including Stanford-bound outfielder Lindsey Stice (.400, 27 runs, 12 RBIs), pitchers Sarah Hughes (7-4; .421, 14 runs, 17 RBIs) and Stephanie Williams (4-1, 1.09), infielder Jackie Beadle and catcher/infielder Lindsey Dyer. Stice and Dyer, a junior, are coming off knee surgery, though. Erica Greenberg (22 RBIs), a catcher from Woodbridge, is a huge addition.

Capistrano Valley Christian

Coach: Shannon Justice

1999 record: 18-7

League record: 8-2

When it comes to statistical output, few can match the Eagles, who had three of the county’s six leading hitters, pitcher Lauren Capriotti (.630, 31 runs, six home runs, 29 RBIs), second baseman Brooke Ireland (.542, 24 runs, 16 RBIs) and shortstop Jill Jeranko (.482, 24 runs, 11 RBIs). Catcher Cari Fouse (.439, 18 runs, 17 RBIs) was also in the top 20. Jeranko, a sophomore, is the only one who isn’t a senior. Capriotti (17-7, 1.48 ERA), the Academy League MVP, led the county with 264 strikeouts in 147 innings.

Connelly

Coach: Mark Otsuji

1999 record: 3-15

League record: 2-8

Mark Otsuji, who is in his first season as coach, takes over a team hopeful of improving on last year’s record. Two seniors and two juniors will form the nucleus of the Koalas. Maureen Ward, a third baseman, and Teresa McNamara, a first baseman, provide much-needed senior leadership, and junior pitcher Christina Lambrakis and catcher Ghia Espino make up the battery.

Fairmont

Coach: Jale Beliueau

1999 record: 5-10

League record: 1-9

The Huskies struggled last season in the Academy League. They have eight players back this season for second-year coach Jale Beliueau, so with some fundamental play they might be able to move up in the standings. Young and inexperienced, they’ll rely heavily on senior pitcher Vanessa Burns and hope to manufacture runs off the bats of first baseman Erin Gaynor and Tais Pico, a transfer from Sonora.

Heritage Christian

Coach: Joey Bahash

1999 record: 1-8

League record: 1-7

Heritage Christian won’t have much depth, and will rely heavily on the four returning players, junior second baseman Sarah Hancock, senior pitcher Erin Allen, sophomore pitcher Samantha Kearney and sophomore outfielder Cindi Liskey. First-year Coach Joey Bahash is trying to revitalize the program, but with so many newcomers and so few players, he will concentrate on developing the program day-by-day.

Liberty Christian

Coach: Armando Fernandez

1999 record: 22-3

League record: 7-1

The second-place Minutemen will try to displace Pioneer Baptist as Express League champion and build on last season’s playoff effort, which ended in the Division VI quarterfinals. Some of the league’s best players are among the eight returning starters, including first baseman Tristan Fernandez (.591), catcher Theresa Raia (.446), sophomore pitcher Danielle Mershon (21-3), third baseman Chrissy Davis (.338), second baseman Briana Barton (.333) and right fielder Marilyn Manzi (.389).

Mater Dei

Coach: Ed Ulloa

1999 record: 28-5

League record: 9-1

The Monarchs have one of the county’s best pitchers, Tia Bollinger (12-2, 0.28), and best hitters, Courtney Betley (.407, 15 runs, 11 RBIs) among seven returning starters from last season’s Division I finalist. Coach Ed Ulloa (second year) watched his team lose to Moreno Valley Valley View in the final, 5-0, but shouldn’t have problems on the defensive side with Bollinger in the circle. However, manufacturing runs could be more tricky this season, and the Monarchs will rely heavily on sophomore shortstop Christina Clark (.376), junior left fielder Jessica Young (.277) and senior catcher Jessica Gonzalez (.234).

Orange Lutheran

Coach: Steve Miklos

1999 record: 26-6

League record: 11-1

The Lancers were the No. 2 seed in last year’s Division V playoffs but lost in the semifinals to eventual champion Pomona Catholic. Seven starters are back, including second-team all-county pitcher Jessica Edwards (14-5, 0.27 ERA), who had 216 strikeouts in 131 innings. Coupled with Laura Miklos (12-1, 0.32), Orange Lutheran has a potent pitching staff. Miklos (.430, 24 runs) was the league MVP.

Rosary

Coach: Tom Tice

1999 record: 23-9

League record: 10-0

The Royals join the newly-formed Serra League with Mater Dei and Santa Margarita. Rosary has seven starters back from last season’s semifinalist, notably second-team all-county catcher Natalie Golda (.413, 23 runs, six home runs, 32 RBIs). Tom Tice (seventh year, 126-50) has additional pop in his lineup with senior third baseman Samantha Jennings (.367, 17 runs, 19 RBIs), and speed with a pair of outfielders, senior Lauren McIntosh (.394, 24 runs) and Dana Kenney (.463, 17 runs, 14 RBIs). Freshman shortstop Lizzie Hagen could also be an asset. Pitchers Mallory Anderson (12-4, 0.28) and Christa Arriaga (11-4, 0.38) are juniors.

St. Margaret’s

Coach: Nancy Linaweaver

1999 record: 11-10

League record: 7-3

If anyone can push Capistrano Valley Christian for the Academy League title, it should be Downey Calvary Chapel and St. Margaret’s, which shared second place last season. The Tartans have two first-team all-league performers, pitcher Monique Kettler and outfielder Jenny Zuidema, both juniors. Another, outfielder Katie Conklin, and two seniors, infielder Tasha Huo and third baseman Katie Massrey, were second-team all-leaguers for Nancy Linaweaver (sixth year, 77-31).

Santa Margarita

Coach: Ken Delp

1999 record: 16-12-1

League record: 4-4

The Eagles make the transition from the rugged Sea View League to the equally tough Serra League. Ken Delp, in his second year as coach, has seven starters back, including sophomore center fielder Kimmie Hopkin (.367), Baylor-bound senior catcher/first baseman Colleen Bordages (.282, 15 RBIs) and two juniors, shortstop Carolyn Bullard (.286, 12 stolen bases) and pitcher Nicole Bartholomew (12-9, 0.68 ERA).

Southern California Christian

Coach: Larry Brown

1999 record: 9-11

League record: 4-6

The Flames, under new Coach Larry Brown, try to win their first league title since 1998 while in the Arrowhead League. Six starters return, including third baseman Morgan DeJovie (.375, 23 runs, 15 RBIs), who will share catching duties with junior Bethany Brown (.396, 13 runs, 21 RBIs) and first baseman Tara Long (.341). Senior Jennifer Burton (.303), who played first base last season, will do most of the pitching.

Whittier Christian

Coach: Gary Guy

1999 record: 9-15

League record: 5-7

The youthful Heralds will probably be vying for the last of three automatic qualifying berths with Cerritos Valley Christian, but their fortunes rely heavily on the play of junior pitcher/shortstop Jennifer Benavidez (5-3, 0.95 ERA; .262, 10 RBIs), a first-team all-league performer. Relief might come from several newcomers, including an experienced travel ball player, freshman pitcher/outfielder Tammy Fox. This is Gary Guy’s sixth season (55-66).