Softball Teams to Wath

THE PROVEN

CAMARILLO (22-7)--The core returns from a team that reached the Southern Section Division I quarterfinals, including right-handed ace Kathryn Nevard, The Times’ 1999 Ventura County pitcher of the year. Nevard, who allowed only 46 hits in 154 innings last season, is headed to Illinois on scholarship. Outfielder Nicki Holt (.423) is bound for Washington.

THOUSAND OAKS (23-9)--With six starters returning from a team that reached the Division I semifinals, including five that batted better than .300, the Lancers are front-runners for the Marmonte League title this season and next because first baseman Shawna Lane is the only senior in the lineup. Junior right-hander Nicole Angelo, who will do most of the pitching, is 22-7 in two seasons.

CRESCENTA VALLEY (21-6)--With junior Meredith Cervenka pitching, the Falcons, who return five starters, will not lose very often. Cervenka, among the region’s best, has gone 166 innings without giving up an earned run and has 18 Pacific League shutouts in 18 starts.

NEWBURY PARK (24-8)--With senior slugger Oli Keohohou in the lineup, the Panthers will be tough to beat. Keohohou, The Times’ Ventura County player of the year last season, batted .484 with 18 RBIs in the leadoff spot. Katie Stokx, the Marmonte League’s most valuable pitcher last year with a 0.54 ERA, also returns.

HIGHLAND (19-11)--Eight starters return from a team that upset No. 3-seeded Rancho Cucamonga, 1-0, in the first round of the Division I playoffs. With catcher Ashlie D’Errico (.444), first baseman Keri Pulcifer (.391) and pitcher Nichole Rawson (1.14 ERA), the Bulldogs are poised to challenge Quartz Hill for the Golden League title.

WESTLAKE (18-10)--Coach Darwin Tolzin returns after a one-year hiatus as coach at Moorpark College. The pitching guru welcomes back nine starters, including ace Erin Voeltz, who struck out 257 in 168 1/3 innings last season. If the Warriors improve their meager offense, a Marmonte League title will follow.

HART (23-6)--The Indians boast plenty of pitching with Lindsey Kontra (11-3) and Amanda Fortune (11-3), who each had ERAs under 0.41 last season. Offensive support could be a problem, however.

CHAMINADE (25-6)--After four successful seasons, Coach Steve Harrington can no longer look to ace Maureen LeCocq for victories. It remains to be seen if the defending Division IV champions can sustain their winning ways without LeCocq, now at Stanford, while playing one of the toughest schedules in the region.

SAUGUS (18-10)--The Centurions were inexperienced last season and paid for it early before rebounding to earn a Foothill League co-championship with Hart. Eight starters return, including third baseman Julie Watson (.356), second baseman Katie Hoggatt (.343) and center fielder Kelli Cornelison (.343).

QUARTZ HILL (25-2)--Jodie Cox has taken her game to Cal State Fullerton, but the rest of the 1999 squad remains, including catcher Olaya Salazar and Kellie Cox, Jodie’s sister and an All-Southern Section selection. How much did Jodie Cox have to do with the Rebels’ success the last two seasons? Stay tuned.

THE PROMISING

CALABASAS (16-9)--If the Coyotes can’t win the Frontier League title with Amy Rosson (242 strikeouts in 168 innings) in the circle, Sara Hall (.475) behind the plate and Heather Bell (.342) at first base, something is wrong at Calabasas. All three have earned college scholarships.

EL CAMINO REAL (24-3)--It doesn’t matter that the inexperienced Conquistadores have only three seniors. El Camino Real, which won won six City titles in the 1990s, has plenty of talent to dominate City competition. Junior catcher Christina Enea (.494, 46 RBIs) is reason No. 1.

HARVARD-WESTLAKE (16-15)--With every player returning from a team that advanced to the Division IV quarterfinals--including pitchers Elena Ferrero and Anna Russell--the Wolverines should challenge Chaminade for the Mission League title.

HOOVER (17-9)--Coach Kirt Kohlmeier says this may be the best offensive team he has coached. That’s good news for Cori Herbert, a right-handed pitcher who has had little support the last three seasons.

LA REINA (21-8)--The Regents have stumbled in the playoffs the last three seasons. Slugger Mackenzie Vandergeest won’t let that happen again.