PRESEASON O.C. TOP 10
1. Pacifica: If the “good pitching beats good hitting” theory holds true, the Mariners should be favored in every game. Kaylee Carlson and a now healthy Kaley Winegarner give Pacifica two legitimate aces that stack up with any other duo in the state. Add in a potent lineup starring Florida-bound Nicole DeWitt and junior Faith Canfield, and Pacifica has all the elements to bring home its first CIF championship since 2007.
2. Mission Viejo: On paper, Mission Viejo is conceivably the most talented team in the county. Eleven of the Diablos’ 16 players have college offers, 10 of which are for Division I schools. Despite having only three seniors on this year’s squad, junior phenoms Alyssa Palomino and Taylor McQuillin make Mission Viejo the clear-cut favorite to win the CIF-SS Division 2 crown.
3. Esperanza: Hayley Copeland is already off to a great start, barely a week into the season. The senior pitcher has tossed two no-hitters. The senior-laden Aztecs squad is battle-tested and fully capable of making a deep playoff run.
4. Marina: The Vikings lost four seniors from a team that won the Sunset League. Reigning league MVP Tera Blanco is lights out in the circle and can single-handedly keep Marina in any game. Add in Sydney McCollum and Emili Olague, and the Vikings are poised to stay atop the Sunset standings.
5. Mater Dei: Monarchs alumnus and first-year coach Tia Meza inherits a deep squad that claimed the Trinity League title a season ago. Virginia-bound twins Alex and Andie Formby will lock down duties in the circle, while all-league selections Morganne Flores, Alexis Carmona, Melissa Rochford and Nychole Antillon return to create one of the most formidable lineups in the county. This team can win in a number of ways.
6. Yorba Linda: After a surprising run to the Division 1 semifinals a season ago, everyone will be prepared for the Mustangs this go-round. The big question surrounding the squad will be about its experience. Yorba Linda features only three seniors on the roster. Paige Von Sprecken dominates in the circle, but the team’s destiny depends on the development of its youngsters.
7. Los Alamitos: Scoring wasn’t a problem for the Griffins in 2013. It won’t be this year, either. The missing piece, however, has always been in the circle. Enter Pacifica-transfer Katya Duvall (Ohio State commit) and freshman Ryan Denhart, and Los Al should be more than a one-trick pony this season.
8. Canyon: The Century League race is going to be a blast to watch as the Comanches should push Esperanza. Pitcher Hailey Hilburn is one of the best juniors in the county, and she’s backed by a Big Ten outfield. Brianna Betschel (Ohio State), Taylor Swearingen (Michigan) and Paulina Anasis (Northwestern) make this squad a threat to claim the league crown.
9. Rosary: The Royals knocked out top-seeded Esperanza and Edison en route to a quarterfinal berth in the CIF-SS Division1 playoffs last season. Pitchers Annika Seedborg and Alex Casanas are back from that team, and Coach Tom Tice added a top transfer in infielder Kolby Romaine. Even though it graduated eight players to collegiate programs, don’t overlook this young club.
10. Huntington Beach: The Oilers have the balance most schools crave. They have a top-of-the-line starter in Micaela Vierra (Santa Clara). Jacqui Pascual (Maryland) has pop at first base, and Kristina Inouye and Sammie Vandiver hit for average. The best team the Oilers have had in many years is a wild card to watch in the Sunset League.
TOURNAMENT AND PLAYOFF DATES
Cypress Tournament, Cypress High, March 8
Brea/Yorba Linda Tournament at Brea Olinda and Yorba Linda High, March 8
Best of Anaheim Area Tournament at Savanna High, Oxford Academy and Katella High, March 8
Best of the West Tournament at Pacifica High and Mark Twain School, March 8 and March 22
Foothill Roundtable Invitational at Hillview School, March 8 and March 22
Costa Mesa Tournament at TeWinkle Park, Saturday, March 15
North Orange County Championships at Lions Field, March 10-14
Saddleback Valley Tournament at Alicia Park, March 10-14
Tournament of Champions at Mohave High of Bullhead City, Ariz., March 13-15
Timberwolf Classic at Bill Barber Park, March 15 and March 22
Torrance National Tournament at Wilson Park, Torrance, March 20-22
Savanna Tournament at Yorba Regional Park, March 22 and March 29
Woodbridge Tournament at Bill Barber Park, March 29, March 31 and April 5
Michelle Carew Classic at Peralta Canyon Park, April 2-5
CIF-SS playoffs, May 22, 27, 29 and June 3, 6, 7
IMPORTANT GAMES
La Mirada at Los Alamitos (DH), March 11; Santa Margarita at Edison, March 15; Laguna Hills vs. Esperanza at Bill Barber Park, March 15; Capistrano Valley vs. Cypress at Bill Barber Park, March 15; Foothill at Huntington Beach, March 18; Pacifica at Kennedy, March 18; La Mirada at Orange Lutheran, March 19; La Habra at Yorba Linda, March 20; Mission Viejo at Santa Margarita, March 20; Kennedy at Cypress, March 20; Esperanza at Canyon, March 25; Valencia at Yorba Linda, March 25; Marina at Woodbridge, March 25; Mission Viejo at Los Alamitos, March 26; El Toro vs. Rosary at Cal State Fullerton, March 26; Yorba Linda at Cypress, March 27; Foothill at El Modena, March 27; Orange Lutheran at Capistrano Valley, March 27; Garden Grove at Marina, March 29; Rosary vs. Edison at Bill Barber Park, March 29; Central of Fresno at Los Alamitos (DH), March 29; Laguna Hills at Capistrano Valley, April 1; Norco vs. Cypress at Peralta Park, April 2; Oxnard vs. Orange Lutheran at Peralta Park, April 2; Kennedy at Yorba Linda, April 8; Cypress at Pacifica, April 8; Mater Dei at Orange Lutheran, April 9; Yorba Linda at Pacifica, April 10; Foothill at Esperanza, April 10; Marina at Los Alamitos, April 10; Mater Dei vs. Rosary at Cal State Fullerton, April 11; Canyon vs. Foothill at Hillview School, April 15; Rosary at Orange Lutheran, April 16; El Modena at Esperanza, April 17; La Habra at Sunny Hills, April 17; Huntington Beach at Marina, April 22; Edison at Los Alamitos, April 22; Mission Viejo at Tesoro, April 22; Canyon at El Modena, April 22; Canyon at Esperanza, April 24; Kennedy at Pacifica, April 24; Chino at Pacifica, April 26; Bishop Amat of La Puente at Orange Lutheran, April 26; Cypress at Kennedy, April 29; Beckman vs. Woodbridge at Bill Barber Park, April 29; Los Alamitos at Huntington Beach, April 29; Orange Lutheran vs. Mater Dei at Thornton Park, May 2; Cypress at Yorba Linda, May 6; Los Alamitos at Marina, May 6; Sunny Hills at La Habra, May 6; Esperanza vs. Foothill at Hillview School, May 6; Los Alamitos at Edison, May 8; Marina at Huntington Beach, May 8; Foothill at Canyon, May 8; Yorba Linda at Kennedy, May 8; Pacifica at Cypress, May 8; Rosary vs. Mater Dei at Thornton Park, May 9; Pacifica at Yorba Linda, May 13; Orange Lutheran vs. Rosary at Cal State Fullerton, May 13; Esperanza at El Modena, May 13; Huntington Beach at Los Alamitos, May 15; El Modena at Canyon, May 15; Woodbridge at Beckman, May 15; Mission Viejo at Pacifica (DH), May 15.
MORE OF THE 2014 SOFTBALL PREVIEW:
Esperanza has eye on the postseason
Pacifica pitcher is ready for comeback
Top 10 players to watch in 2014 (and a list of other players to watch)
Contact the writer: kconnolly@ocregister.com
