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  • The University of the Pacific took an evening to watch...

    The University of the Pacific took an evening to watch Ally Hecht pitch against Valencia. Edison's Hecht threw a gem, and left Pacific drooling over her spins. She is undefeated this season, and assuming the Chargers' potent offense continues its ways, it may be a while until she gets beat.

  • Amber Freeman is back! After committing to Arizona State as...

    Amber Freeman is back! After committing to Arizona State as a freshman, she has had a rough go-around with injuries limiting her play throughout her career. However, this catcher from Mater Dei is back with a vengeance. In her first 8 games she is hitting .565 with 18 RBIs and 5 home runs. On Tuesday Freeman launched a historic home run at Mater Dei's home field, Thorton Park. She became the first hitter in Mater Dei's history to clear the fence at Thorton.

  • Florida took advantage of playing in a California tournament last...

    Florida took advantage of playing in a California tournament last week and made it out to Edison and Brea Olinda practices. Looking for 2012 recruits, the Gators have their eyes on Edison's Jessica Plaza (pictured) and Casey Africano, and Brea Olinda's Aubree Munro. All three were on my 'Top-Uncommitted' list, and are continuing to make noise in the college recruiting circuit.

  • Lauren Chamberlain is HOT. After being pegged as one of...

    Lauren Chamberlain is HOT. After being pegged as one of the county's best hitters before the season, Chamberlain has validated the claims. She is hitting .600 with a 1.667 slugging percentage and a .727 on-base percentage. She has 5 home runs in 15 at-bats.

  • Orange Lutheran: one of the county's best? After being left...

    Orange Lutheran: one of the county's best? After being left out of the county's Top 10 last week, OLu has answered loudly. The Lancers rolled through the Brea Tournament and only have one loss. McKenzie Kane (pictured)is hitting an impressive .536, and OLu's ace, Savannah King, is undefeated. Do the Lancers have what it takes to beat some of the county's best?

  • Two weeks ago, soccer star Rylee Baisden received a controversial...

    Two weeks ago, soccer star Rylee Baisden received a controversial red card in a CIF semifinal game. Forced to sit out the championship game, she watched Esperanza win the title without her. However, this past week the Aztecs couldn't have won the Southern California regional title without Baisden. Her goal in overtime gave her team the 1-0 lead and the win. Baisden plans to play BOTH soccer and softball in college. She has been communicating regularly with Florida. Are blue and orange in her future?

  • If your veteran offense is struggling, what do you do?...

    If your veteran offense is struggling, what do you do? That's right, pull up a freshman stud from JV. Last week Pacifica called up freshman Samantha Agamaite. Let's hope this move ignites the Mariners' offense. It is guaranteed senior hurler Krystian DeWitt is going to get outs. Now her offense needs to produce runs.

  • Marina's Sandy Simmons, who has committed to LSU, is on...

    Marina's Sandy Simmons, who has committed to LSU, is on FIRE. She is hitting .611 with an on-base percentage of over .700 and a slugging percentage of over 1.000. This sophomore is so versatile she has started at three different positions this season, but she will likely end up at either 1B or 2B. One of the most dedicated players in the county, this lefty swinger is proving that hard work pays off.

  • Sunny Hills' Yolanda Rios is mowing down batters. The senior...

    Sunny Hills' Yolanda Rios is mowing down batters. The senior has one of the best rise balls in the county, and proved to be effective against top-notch hitting teams, such as Esperanza. She has a 0.76 ERA and is holding batters to a .176 batting average. If that isn't enough, she has 85 strikeouts this season, including 18 in her 11-inning matchup this past Friday against the Aztecs.

  • The Sports Training Complex in Anaheim has a program called...

    The Sports Training Complex in Anaheim has a program called "EM" in which athletes dedicate multiple nights a week to their speed and agility development. Two of EM's most improved athletes are also getting it done on the softball field. Troy's Allexis Bennett, who has already committed to New Mexico, is no doubt one of the county's best base runners, and Esperanza's, Nicole Schroeder (full disclosure: She happens to be my sister), is not only the most improved EM athlete, but she hit .538 in the Brea Tournament last week.

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After about a week and a half of the 2010 high school softball season the nerves are wearing off, and the great players, coaches and teams are beginning to emerge.

Will Canyon’s Cheyenne Tarango hold it down as the county’s best pitcher this season?

Or will Edison’s Ally Hecht, El Modena’s Haylie Wagner or Sunny Hills’ Yolanda Rios outthrow her?

Canyon is fierce, but does Orange Lutheran or Edison have what it takes to beat them out as the county’s best? I wouldn’t count out Mater Dei. The Monarchs seem to be playing with a “10th man” this season.

Here are the 10 things you need to know this week to stay high school softball savvy!

Click on the photo to see my list.

Author Jennifer Schroeder is a former softball star at Esperanza High and UCLA. She is now a softball instructor and a contributor to ESPN Rise.