Softball previews

Mike Sciacca, Independent

The 2002 high school softball season is just eight days away, with the

first season opener scheduled for March 1.

At Edison High, a strong senior class should help the Chargers move up

the ranks in the Sunset League race. Marina boasts three returning

first-team all-league players and figures to make another strong run for

the title, and there’s also strong optimism at Huntington Beach High,

which will field a lineup dotted with several new players.

At Ocean View, the Seahawks appear loaded again and figure to be in

the hunt for the Golden West League crown. They also have the talent to

make their 10th consecutive playoff appearance at the conclusion of the

2002 season.

Here is a look at each of the four local high school softball teams:

SCHOOL: EdisonNICKNAME: ChargersHEAD COACH/YEAR: Suzy Mathieson

(sixth)

ASSISTANT COACHES: Kendra Tarrant; Rich Aldridge; Josh Case

LEAGUE: Sunset

2001 RECORD: 10-12

LEAGUE FINISH: 3-7 (fifth)

LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: 1998

LAST LEAGUE TITLE: 1983

RETURNING LETTERMEN: Leah Glenn (RF, .413 avg., 19 stolen bases, two-time first-team all-league, Sr.); Brittany Hyams (CF, .360 avg., 13

stolen bases, second-team all-league, Sr.); Amanda Shelton (P, 0.81 ERA,

first-team all-league, Sr.); Jennifer Marquez (2B, Sr.); Stacy Birk

(LF/P, Jr.); Vanessa Luis (3B, Jr.); Lisa Dell (2B, Jr.); Ashley Barnes

(SS, 3B, Jr.).

TOP NEWCOMERS: Alex Wilson (SS/OF, Soph.); Ashley Westphal (1B/OF,

Soph.).

OUTLOOK: “I feel that we will be very competitive this year with some

strong senior leadership and experience,” Mathieson said. “We have solid

pitching, lots of speed on the bases and good team chemistry.”

SCHOOL: Huntington Beach

NICKNAME: Oilers

HEAD COACH/YEAR: Jack Lipscomb (third)

ASSISTANT COACHES: Luisa Smith

LEAGUE: Sunset

2001 RECORD: 13-16

LEAGUE FINISH: 4-6 (fourth)

LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: 1998

LAST LEAGUE TITLE: 1996

RETURNING LETTERMEN: Kari Stockstill (3B/)F, first-team all-league,

Sr.); Sandi Summers (second-team all-league, Jr.); Holly Jackson (P/IF,

second-team all-league, Soph.); Vicki Batistelli (IF/OF/C, Soph.); Julie

Heida (IF/OF/C, Jr.); Heidi Weil (IF/OF/C, Sr.).

TOP NEWCOMERS: Ashley Davis (OF, Jr.); Mona Fielder (OF, Soph.); Jody

Graham (OF, Sr.); Allyson Johnson (IF/OF, Jr.); Valaree Newton (P/IF,

Sr.); Katie Ouaknine (OF, Sr.); Brittany Hay (IF/OF, Fr.); Ashlee Klevens

(IF/OF, Fr.)

OUTLOOK: “We basically are a new team with eight new players,”

Lipscomb said. “Pitching will be a key factor for us this season. We

should have improved offensive numbers and versatility at many positions.

If our pitching holds, we should be a factor in the Sunset League.”

SCHOOL: Marina

NICKNAME: Vikings

HEAD COACH/YEAR: Shelly Luth (12th)

LEAGUE: Sunset

2001 RECORD: 15-14

LEAGUE FINISH: 3rd

LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: Lost to El Toro in first round of 2001

playoffs

LAST LEAGUE TITLE: 2000

LAST CIF TITLE: 1994 and 1995

RETURNING STARTERS: Bree Boyer (2B, first-team all-league, Sr.);

Ramona Garcia (P, first-team all-league); Lacey Unkovich (C, first-team

all-league); Nelsy Zaragoza (3B, Sr.); Veronica Torres (CF).

NEWCOMERS: Britt Boyer (Fr.); Tonya Maosti (Jr.).

OUTLOOK: Garcia, a returning pitcher with an ERA of .066, has done a

great job in the off season, Luth said. She also expects San Diego

State-bound senior leader Bree Boyer to contribute largely at the plate.

“I think we have done a great job preparing for our 2002 season,” she

said.

SCHOOL: Ocean View

NICKNAME: Seahawks

HEAD COACH/YEAR: Kathy Ponce (third)

ASSISTANT COACHES: Mona Cruz; Herb Rosenthal; Jimmy Trujillo

LEAGUE: Golden West

2001 RECORD: 13-12

LEAGUE FINISH: 8-4 (second)

CIF PLAYOFF RESULTS: Lost first round to Rancho Alamitos

LAST LEAGUE TITLE: 1997

LETTERMEN: Courtney Tuggle (SS, .409 avg., GWL Player of the Yr.,

Sr.); Crystina Cruz (P, first-team all-league, Sr.); Jennifer Walker (OF,

.292 avg., second-team all-league; Soph.); Jesica Cruz (OF/DH, .240 avg.,

second-team all-league, Soph.); Cassie Caverly, Sr.); Jenna Rivera (Sr.).

TOP NEWCOMERS: Jennifer Snafizaden (3B, Soph.); Samantha Frazier (C,

Soph.); Kristen Mitchell (INF, Soph.); Jessica Baxter (1B, Soph.); Jackie

Kimble (P, Soph.); Jerian Isfeld (P, Soph.).

OUTLOOK:

With the return of Tuggle, the Golden West League’s returning Player

of the Year and Cruz, a first-team all-league pitcher, Ocean View seems

poised to reach the playoffs for the 10th consecutive year.

“With the return of those two and a group of other talented players,

our program continues to be strong and will compete for a league

championship,” Ponce said.

* MIKE SCIACCA is the education and sports reporter. He can be reached

at (714) 965-7171 or by e-mail at michael.sciacca@latimes.com.