The Times’ rankings

*--* Rk. Team (Rec., Div.) Comment 1 VALENCIA (32-1, Div. I) Strong effort throughout lineup made Vikings undisputed choice in Southland, state. 2 G.G. PACIFICA (27-7, Div. II) Area’s best offensive lineup came through for title against nemesis Kennedy. 3 L.P. KENNEDY (29-2, Div. II) Entire lineup returns, with Oklahoma-bound Allee Allen taking over for Brooke Turner. 4 HART (26-7, Div. I) Division runner-up will return six starters, plus pitcher Destiny Rodino in 2008. 5 CAMARILLO (28-2, Div. I) Ranked No. 2 in the nation when undone by four errors in quarterfinal loss to Hart. 6 NORCO (27-6, Div. I) Pitcher Teagan Gerhart must lead next year without Kaylyn Castillo, Nicole Angene. 7 COR. SANTIAGO (26-6, Div. I) Kamerin May and Meredith Hackett make Division I semifinalist a title favorite. 8 SAN PEDRO (30-2, City) Taylor Petty-led Pirates won seventh title in eighth consecutive finals appearance. 9 EL DORADO (20-10, Div. II) Team improved after slow start, Alyssa Freight was 63-17 last three seasons. 10 TEMESCAL CANYON (22-6, Div. II) Amanda May, Lauren Holmes leaving Lake Elsinore for Hawaii Hilo. 11 ANAHEIM CANYON (21-10, Div. II) Semifinalist had tough schedule, but it didn’t slow shortstop Megan Bush. 12 RAMONA (24-5, Div. I)S Junior Coreen Lopez at heart of 20 straight wins before quarterfinal loss. 13 RIVERSIDE POLY (20-9, Div. I) Quarterfinalist posted victories over Norco, El Modena and Foothill. 14 FOOTHILL (25-5-1, Div. I) McKenna Lowe had all-star season for Knights, who made early playoff exit. 15 EL TORO (21-9, Div. I) Niki Williams, Kendal Hennings among top five who return, along with both pitchers. 16 CANYON SPRINGS (25-6, Div. II) Junior catcher Morgan LeMond had no trouble with bat for semifinalist. 17 CYPRESS (16-10, Div. II) Centurions stunned division with playoff wins over top 25 foes El Modena, Millikan. 18 EL MODENA (26-5, Div. II) Second-seeded Vanguards fumbled away fine season with first-round loss. 19 LA MIRADA (26-3-1, Div. II) Matadors’ program is strong enough to step up against elite competition. 20 UPLAND (26-4, Div. II) Won two playoff games with freshman Whitney Jones after Aleah Macon quit team. 21 VISTA MURRIETA (22-7, Div. II) Freshman Taylor Edwards batted .500 for young squad that should be even better. 22 MURRIETA VALLEY (18-10, Div. II) Strong squad with Arizona-bound Lindsey Sisk but suffered first-round flameout. 23 LOS ALAMITOS (21-9, Div. I) Anna Cahn headed to Cal Poly SLO, but nucleus of Sunset League champ returns. 24 MARINA (21-10, Div. I) Thrown out at the plate twice in 10-inning loss, Vikings nearly beat Jordan Taylor. 25 CHAMINADE (24-8, Div. IV) Brianna Barth, Danielle Zymkowitz led Eagles to second straight title.

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