SEA VIEW LEAGUE

* El Toro: 19-11, 5-3 in 1998. Coach: Jim Daugherty (14th year, 261-141-1). Prospects: The Chargers lost in the playoffs to champion Mater Dei, 1-0. Left-handed senior Susan Churchwell (9-6, 0.22 ERA) has signed with UC Davis; she batted .386 with 13 runs batted in. She’s one reason league coaches think El Toro could finally end Woodbridge’s streak of 16 consecutive league titles. Junior center fielder Laura Joiner, who batted .404 as a freshman, returns after not playing last season. Senior first baseman Vanessa Andrade (.298) returns, along with three second-team all-league performers: junior second baseman Nicki Everett (.278), shortstop Bryttani Lindheim (.222), outfielder/catcher Sondra Milchiker (.333), and first-team all-league senior outfielder Megan Smietana (.320).

* Irvine: 24-5, 6-2 in 1998. Coach: Lisa Baker (10th year, 182-58-1). Prospects: The Vaqueros, seeded No. 4 in last year’s playoffs but beaten by Chino Hills Ayala, an at-large team, in the semifinals, have only three starters and five lettermen returning. Senior Brett Nakabayashi (.370, .495 on-base average, 14 stolen bases, 29 runs), a Times all-county outfielder, has signed with Northwestern. Senior pitcher Robyn Horrick (8-2, 0.32), a second-team all-league pitcher, was among the county’s top 10 ERA leaders. Second baseman Kari Singley, a junior, also rejoins the starting lineup. Senior outfielder Lauren Mertz and first baseman Lauren Oldoerp are also back.

* Newport Harbor: 6-13, 0-8 in 1998. Coach: Frank Talley (second year, 6-13). Prospects: Team speed and defense are the Sailors’ strengths, and unfortunately for them, they’re not alone in this league with that combination. Six starters are back, including their only all-league performer, junior shortstop Kristen Smith (.368). Sophomore pitcher Bonnie Kinsey (7-8) is supported by senior third baseman Kristen Urban (.280), senior outfielder Shawn Talley (.280) and junior second baseman Lindsey Moore (.200). Talley moved from shortstop to outfield to compensate for chronic back problems that slowed her during the second half of last season. Sophomore Lisa Harrington (.300), a catcher, returns in a utility role, switching between catcher, first base and outfield.

* Santa Margarita: 16-10-1, 2-6 in 1998. Coach: Ken Delp (first year). Prospects: Delp assisted three seasons while the program was under the direction of his daughter, Tammy Delp (31-21-1). Third baseman Jesseka Bartholomew (.301), is the only senior. Sophomore Carolyn Bullard has moved from second base to shortstop to fill the gap left by all-county player Kristen Morley (.473), who graduated. Bartholomew is the only infielder playing the same position as last season. Still, defense should be a strength, and excellent team speed should improve the offensive production. Junior left fielder Krystal Fonte (.300) is among seven returning starters, who include other juniors: pitcher Danielle Rodriguez (9-6), first baseman Colleen Bordages and outfielders Erin Dobrowolski and Lindsay Holte.

* Woodbridge: 28-6-1, 7-1 in 1998. Coach: Alan Dugard (eighth year, 212-49-1). Prospects: The Warriors won their 16th consecutive league title, but failed to win a third consecutive section title, losing in the semifinals to third-seeded Cerritos, 2-1. Senior Tracey Alcaraz (8-2, 0.37) went unnoticed behind the graduated Christy Robitaille, whose 86 career victories set a county record. Graduated second baseman Nichole Thompson (.464, 25 RBIs) will be tougher to replace. Among five returning starters is all-county shortstop Natasha Watley (.487, 24 stolen bases, 38 runs, 11 RBIs). The Warriors should continue to produce runs: two all-league juniors, third baseman Brittany Ziegler (second team) and catcher Erica Greenberg (first team), had 21 and 18 RBIs, respectively. Senior outfielder Connie Coleman (second team) and junior first baseman Breanne Cooley also return.