SOUTH COAST LEAGUE

Capistrano Valley

Coach: Joe LaMasa

1999 record: 12-12-1

League record: 4-6

Six starters return, led by senior first baseman Melissa Horn and senior pitcher/outfielder Jillian Miles, both second-team all-league selections. Also back are a pair of sophomores, catcher/shortstop Alicia Thompson and first baseman Kristin Timbers, junior third baseman/outfielder Natalie Vaughn and senior outfielder Lindsay Hahn. Freshman shortstop/pitcher Meredith Parker, sophomore third baseman Lauren Evans, sophomore pitcher/outfielder Christi Shadd and junior outfielder Krista Woodward are up from the lower levels.

Dana Hills

Coach: Margo Melendrez

1999 record: 23-6-2

League record: 7-2-1

Margo Melendrez (fourth year, 44-34-1) welcomes back five starters. “We will be tough in league, but so will some other teams,� she said. Junior outfielder Brittany Anzlovar (.292, 13 RBIs) is one of four juniors returning, along with outfielder Carrie Bales (.120), catcher Jenny Chapman (.260) and catcher Nicole Gilchrist (.224). Sophomore first baseman Katie Shields batted .300. Pitcher Alison Cohen and pitcher/third baseman Candice Rainwater are up from the junior varsity.

El Toro

Coach: Jim Daugherty

1999 record: 20-8

League record: 5-3

A good nucleus of experienced players returns from last season’s Sea View League runner-up, but “we’re very inexperienced at pitching and catching,� said Jim Daughtery (15th year, 281-149-1). “This will make or break us.� A pair of first-team all-league players return in shortstop Brytanni Lindheim, who batted .329, and outfielder Sondra Milchiker (.370). Second baseman Nicki Everett (.230) also returns, as do sophomore pitcher Jennifer Churchill, who was 5-3 with a 3.64 earned-run average, and outfielder Erica Bonilla, who batted .458 in 11 games. Senior outfielders Nicki Santi and Kelly Bortolussi are also back.

Mission Viejo

Coaches: Denise Kuhns-Ochoa/Patty Kleinschmidt

1999 record: 12-14

League record: 4-6

Denise Kuhns-Ochoa and Patty Kleinschmidt (third year, 14-34) continue to co-coach. Kuhns-Ochoa says the Diablos need to be more aggressive. Five senior starters return. They are shortstop Coelette Chenier, second baseman Amy Erwin, first baseman/pitcher Ashley Fricks, catcher Leah Lautenschlager and third baseman Krista Lara. Others who figure to see plenty of playing time are outfielders Liza Okazaki and Angela Ross, utility player Monica Alvarez, catcher Kelly Graham, third baseman Katie Kipisz and center fielder Alexis Quon.

San Clemente

Coach: Bill Everhart

1999 record: 18-11-1

League record: 5-4-1

Senior co-captains Ashley Haight (8-7, 0.66), a pitcher, and Ricci Lugo, an infielder and first-team all-league selection, return. Also back are two starting infielders, senior Lisa Britto and junior Britanny Green. Top newcomers for Bill Everhart (fifth year, 69-67-2) are infielders Brooke Dixon and Lana Rose Tirre, outfielder Lindsey Lugo and utility Stephanie Ott. Everhart believes the Tritons will have one of the county’s best defenses, but must improve run production.

Trabuco Hills

Coach: Robert Weibort

1999 record: 6-21

League record: 0-10

Robert Weibort (second year) says the Mustangs should improve on last season’s record. “We have nowhere to go but up,� he said. Sophomore pitcher Nicole Barrett and junior third baseman/pitcher Sarah Hernandez, a pair of returning starters, figure to fight for pitching time. Two more starters returning are junior second baseman Genvielle DeCicco and senior right fielder Kendra Arrasmith. Freshman second baseman/catcher Shelby Hensler could play a big role.