CENTURY LEAGUE

Canyon

Coach: Lance Eddy

2000 record: 18-13

League record: 5-5

Lance Eddy (18th year, 300-183-5) has nine players from last year’s squad, including five key juniors, second baseman Carrissa Stump (.333), middle infielder Megan Welch (.387), third baseman Britany Crine (.275), first baseman Ashley Stewart (.346) and outfielder Kim Jents (.300). Another junior, pitcher Lindsey Klabacha (12-12, 1.25 ERA), will be complemented by freshmen Jessica Runge, Lisa Geer and Heather Slettvet. Shortstop Ashley Becker (.304), catcher Erin Slettvet (.342, 23 RBIs) and outfielder Laura Kimborowiscz (.268, 14 RBIs) complete the returners. Melinda Perez, a second baseman, transferred from Esperanza.

El Modena

Coach: Steve Harrington

2000 record: 20-9-1

League record: 7-3

Steve Harrington (first year) had a strong program at Chaminade, and hopes to bring the same kind of success to the Vanguards. El Modena was impressive last season despite being so young, and all but one player returns. Two returnees are seniors, outfielder Morgan Scott, who was hurt much of last year, and infielder Kathleen Galbraith (.271); another is a junior, infielder Ashley Van Boxneer (.250). The nucleus is composed of sophomores, pitcher Lindsey Klein (11-2, 0.39), catcher Jennifer Butenschoen and outfielders Norrelle Dickson (.293, 15 RBIs, 17 stolen bases), Tara Henry (.390, 28 stolen bases), Elizabeth Walters (.277, 10 RBIs), Lauren Smith (.299) and Jessica Henja (.310, 10 RBIs).

Foothill

Coach: Joe Gonzalez

2000 record: 33-2

League record: 10-0

Only one starter, left fielder Amber Dragomir (Sacramento State), didn’t return to the section Division I champion this season. Pitchers Courtney Fossatti (23-1, 0.42) and Elizabeth Bendig (10-1) will benefit from a stellar defense and the quickest offense in team history. Leading the way are senior second baseman Erin Mobley (.385, 19 runs, 23 stolen bases), who may switch to outfield, junior center fielder Autumn Champion (.343, 31 runs, 24 stolen bases) and sophomore outfielder Caitlin Lowe (.417, 30 runs, 33 stolen bases). Add to that lineup Kristen Mann (.327, 23 RBIs), an all-county first baseman, and Fossatti (.360, 29 RBIs) and it’s easy to see why they’re No. 1.

Orange

Coach: Chelsea Clifton

2000 record: 3-19

League record: 0-10

The Panthers struggled last season, and the league is even tougher top to bottom this season. For Chelsea Clifton to prosper after taking over for Lacee Collins (two years, 11-33), sophomore pitcher Vanessa Zboril will have to have a standout season. However, she won’t have the benefit of a senior catcher with the graduation of Janice Hall.

Santa Ana Valley

Coach: L.J. Blair

2000 record: 8-17

League record: 2-8

L.J. Blair replaced Terry Orabona (eight years, 53-165), and begins her first season with only three players--all starters--returning to the varsity. They are all-league junior pitcher/shortstop Arlene Newton and two seniors, pitcher/outfielder Melissa Borboa and infielder Geneva Cesena, a three-year varsity member. The Falcons will be inexperienced.

Villa Park

Coach: Jane Emerson-Brown

2000 record: 13-14-1

League record: 6-4

Jim Dolan, who coached last season, will be an assistant to Jane Emerson-Brown. The Spartans have seven starters back, including four all-league honorees, senior catcher Jillian Sandoval, sophomore pitcher Kindal Kincaid, sophomore outfielder Sheri Donley and sophomore shortstop Leslie Green. Notable transfers are sophomore Tiffany Worthy, a catcher/infielder from Orange Lutheran, and junior Nina Hernandez, an outfielder from Walnut.