SEA VIEW LEAGUE

Aliso Niguel

Coach: Joe Miller

1999 record: 17-9

League record: 9-1

Realignment in Orange County made the Sea View League extremely strong with the addition of Pacific Coast League powers Aliso Niguel and Laguna Hills and the departure of Corona del Mar and the solid El Toro and Santa Margarita programs. The Wolverines shared the league title last season, and along with Laguna Hills will try to end Woodbridge’s string of 16 consecutive league titles. First baseman Lisa Krueger (.452, 18 runs, 23 RBIs) was a second-team all-county performer and is one of seven returning starters. Leading the familiar names are three juniors, third baseman Jessica Vernaglia (.405, 20 runs, three home runs, 20 RBIs), shortstop Erin Wallace (.367, 16 stolen bases) and center fielder Shannon Anderson (.354, 15 stolen bases). Junior left fielder Kalena Peterson (.323), sophomore second baseman Chezare Sievers (.372, 24 RBIs, 24 stolen bases, three home runs) and junior right fielder Lindsay Martin (.282) also return.

Irvine

Coach: Lisa Baker

1999 record: 12-13

League record: 3-5

After going 24-5 in 1998 and missing the playoffs in 1999, Irvine must try to reestablish itself in a league with three league champions, Aliso Niguel, Laguna Hills and Woodbridge. Pitcher and shortstop Kari Singley, the only returning first-team all-league player, is also the only returning starter. Singley went 6-6 with a 0.75 earned-run average last season, and she batted .346. Players such as senior third baseman Christina Pisano (.214), junior infielder Molly Murphy (.204) and senior outfielder Jessyca Thompson (.302) must step up. Lisa Baker, beginning her 11th season, is 200-74-1.

Laguna Hills

Coach: Cary Crouch

1999 record: 21-6-2

League record: 9-1

Laguna Hills enters this league with nearly as much tradition as Woodbridge, having won eight league titles in the last nine seasons and winning section titles in 1987 and 1993 for Cary Crouch (14th year, 233-95-6). Leslie Simien is one of the county’s most dangerous offensive threats. Maybe the county’s quickest player, she returns to center field after an all-county performance last season in which she batted .510, scored 29 runs and stole 42 bases. Though seven starters return, Simien and third baseman Julie Davison (.292) are the only seniors. First baseman Katie Oliver (.329), catcher Kim Bisera (.310) and sophomore middle infielders Jackie Eliades (.295) and Stephanie Morgan (.301) also return.

Newport Harbor

Coach: Jesse Martinson

1999 record: 7-20

League record: 0-8

First-year coach Jesse Martinson is trying to build the Newport Harbor program in one of the county’s toughest leagues. The Sailors feature junior catcher/first baseman Lisa Huntington (.371), a second-team all-league performer, four-year varsity shortstop Kristen Smith and senior third baseman Lindsay Moore. Freshman Athena Vasquez, a middle infielder, might provide valuable help.

Woodbridge

Coach: Alan Dugard

1999 record: 23-10

League record: 8-0

The Warriors have won 16 straight league titles, and though a worthy rival in El Toro has gone to the South Coast League, there will be plenty of competition available. The Warriors have five players returning from last year’s semifinalist, led by second-team all-county center fielder Breana Bohls (.490, 22 RBIs), first baseman Breanne Cooley (.281, 14 RBIs) and shortstop Brittany Ziegler (.292, 17 stolen bases). Unlike recent years, Alan Dugard (ninth year, 235-59-1) enters the season without a proven pitcher.