GARDEN GROVE LEAGUE
Bolsa Grande
Coach: Kurt Parker
1999 record: 0-21
League record: 0-12
There is only one returning starter, senior Jessica Carrasco, a center fielder and catcher for first-year coach Kurt Parker. Senior Diane Tran will play shortstop, and junior Christi Oliver will play second base. Crystal Hoskins, quarterback on the freshman football team, will catch the offerings of freshman pitcher Emmaline Maee.
Garden Grove
Coach: Cliff White
1999 record: 18-11-1
League record: 10-2
The Argonauts’ success depends largely on their
pitchers, senior Holly Large, sophomore Erin Means and hard-throwing freshman Jessica Nunez. Senior shortstop Chris Cansdale and cleanup hitter Courtney Pixler, a junior center fielder, return for Cliff White (sixth year, 92-53-2). Junior catcher Victoria Torrez batted fifth as a freshman but missed last season with a broken ankle. Emily Paine, a transfer from Pacifica’s junior varsity, will catch and play third base.
La Quinta
Coach: Char Wilson
1999 record: 11-11
League record: 5-7
Catcher Brenda Ibarra (.365, 11 runs, six RBIs) was a first-team all-league player, and is one of six seniors eyeing an improvement over last season’s fifth-place finish. Jamie Laird, a utility player, was a second-team all-league player, and junior second baseman Amber Wolf had 26 stolen bases. Junior first baseman Channyn Rowe and senior third baseman Tamara Mauga also return.
Los Amigos
Coach: Dee Chester
1999 record: 13-10
League record: 6-6
Sophomore pitcher Kristen Orem (14-7, 0.73) has a solid middle infield--senior second baseman Angela Yorba (.320) and junior shortstop Elise Burke (.340)--working behind her. Yorba, like Orem, was a second-team all-league performer, and Burke was a first-team selection. Senior left fielder Monica Curiel (.240) and will be counted on heavily.
Pacifica
Coach: Rob Weil
1999 record: 24-8
League record: 11-1
The three-time defending section champions lost seven seniors to graduation, but three sophomore pitchers could provide a surprisingly effective staff for Coach Rob Weil (11th year, 218-50-1): Jessica Marical, who pitched little last season because of a back injury; Casey Carter, a second-team all-Division III pitcher at Palm Desert, and Jennifer Williams. Florida State-bound Julie Jordan (.250) will catch. Senior shortstop Diana Barreras (.274, 24 runs, 13 RBIs) returns, and slugger Mallorie Lenn (.277, 18 RBIs) plays third base.
Rancho Alamitos
Coach: Mike Gogan
1999 record: 12-13
League record: 7-5
Mike Gogan (second year) benefits from his all-league battery, senior pitcher Kristina Hyllested (11-13, 1.06 ERA) and junior catcher Jami Weddle (.481, 18 runs, seven home runs, 28 RBIs). The Vaqueros should be solid at the corners with junior Marissa Pease at first base and junior Katie DeHoog at third, but improved defense up the middle will be critical. So, too, will offense by someone besides Weddle.
Santiago
Coach: Corky Driver
1999 record: 8-16
League record: 3-9
Only three starters are back for Corky Driver (13th year), among them senior pitcher Alison Decker (8-16) and junior catcher Jody Robertson (.328). Also back is third baseman Amber Tuilaepa (.236). Senior Aida Lopez (.375 average, .750 on-base average) could miss the season for work-related reasons. The Cavaliers might start as many as four freshmen, and left fielder Grisselda Tovar shows promise.
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