ORANGE LEAGUE
Anaheim
Coach: James Steen
2000 record: 12-9
League record: 3-7
Six starters are back, but junior pitcher Jessica Lampton will miss at least half the season because of knee surgery. Junior third baseman Alana Washington and shortstop Mayra Pelayo are the best of the returning players. Both girls could be pitching this year too. Other returners are catcher Fatima Placentia and outfielders Priscilla Rodridguez and Itzel Martinez.
Brea Olinda
Coach: Sharen Caperton
2000 record: 12-12
League record: 8-2
Brea Olinda failed to win the Orange League title last year for the first time in three seasons, finishing second after winning only four nonleague games. Five starters return, including shortstop Christina Irby, catcher/first baseman Christine Knobbe and outfielders Marjalena Santos, who played every inning for the Wildcats last season, and Tawni Baker, who was third on the team in RBIs. Katy Perkins, who went 6-4 last season, should be the Wildcats’ top pitcher, with Baker, who threw 15 innings last year, also seeing action. Infielder/catcher Adrienne Hull should see a bigger role this season, and six newcomers will also be counted on by Coach Sharen Caperton (17th year, 253-129-1).
Magnolia
Coach: Debi Burlison
2000 record: 3-15
League record: 2-8
The Sentinels will be young, returning only one senior starter, left fielder Kristina Notch. Seven other starters return, including junior first baseman Amanda Vanderlip, who could be Magnolia’s top player. Second baseman Elysia McMahon, shortstop Jennifer Palter and third baseman Megan Sutherland round out the infield. Brenda Ruiz and Darice Beiter will handle the pitching chores for Coach Debi Burlison (12th year, 120-131).
Savanna
Coach: Dan Plamann
2000 record: 11-12
League record: 2-8
Eight starters return, including first-team all-leaguer Victoria Garcia. Coach Dan Plamann (sixth year, 36-71) will also rely heavily on second baseman/outfielder Michelle Lopez and pitcher/outfielder Stephanie Quam, both second-team all-league players. First baseman/pitcher Heather Morgan and infielder/catcher Lauren Condon will also play big roles. To succeed, the Rebels need a pitcher to step up.
Valencia
Coach: John German
2000 record: 15-14
League record: 5-5
Valencia appears to be a strong bet to challenge Western and Brea Olinda for the league title, returning six starters from last year’s third-place squad. Senior center fielder Kim Miller (.459, 28 stolen bases) and senior pitcher/shortstop Michelle Whiteman (12-11, 216 strikeouts, two no-hitters), both three-year first-team all-league choices, return. Also back is junior third baseman/designated hitter Marissa Trevino, who was also named first-team all-league. Second baseman Krystal Zavala, right fielder Brooke Pauly and first baseman Amy Robinson also return. Coach John German (fourth year, 51-39) likes the team’s combination of speed, pitching and power.
Western
Coach: Ivy Pinkerton
2000 record: 17-8
League record: 10-0
.The Pioneers return seven starters from last year’s league champions. Sophomore pitcher Hilary Goden will move into the starting role this season, and Coach Ivy Pinkerton (fourth year, 31-45) thinks Goden’s performance could be the key to Western’s season. Junior Candyce McMorris will be the starting catcher, and senior center fielder Karen Schlegel will also be a key contributor. Depth could be a problem, but Pinkerton feels the team should finish among the top three.