Preps: 1998 Softball capsules

Matt O'Brien

Thursday, March 12, 1998 | 9:57 a.m.

A team-by-team look at Las Vegas' 4A prep softball teams.

Sunrise Division

* BASIC

Coach: Aly Cerrone

1997 Record: 15-16, 8-4 Sunrise

Top Players: Carly Lucas, 2B, Sr.; Jennifer Redding, P/3B, Jr.

Outlook: The Wolves lost five key players from last year's team, which qualified for the zone playoffs. They'll need a strong year on the mound from Redding to be competitive in the loaded Sunrise Division.

* CHAPARRAL

Coach: Tona Lytle

1997 Record: 14-11, 6-6 Sunrise

Top Players: Alexess Cristiani, P, Jr.; Stephanie Fofi, SS, So.; Brandee Neel, CF, Jr.; Jasmine Stepanek, 1B, Jr.; Cindi Thompson, C, Jr.

Outlook: Lytle returns five starters from last year's playoff team, but the Cowboys are inexperienced at second and third. They'll also probably need another quality starting pitcher to back up Cristiani.

* ELDORADO

Coach: Tom Freese

1997 Record: 23-8, 9-3 Sunrise

Top Players: Amber Clutts, P, Jr.; Janelle Gervias, SS, So.; Jennifer Richards, P, Sr.

Outlook: State qualifiers in 1997, the Sundevils should be strong again this year behind the arms of Clutts and Richards. Freese's starting lineup will include four underclassmen, who will need to develop quickly.

* GREEN VALLEY

Coach: Cindi Davis

1997 Record: 23-10, 12-0 Sunrise

Top Players: Rachel Mohler, 1B, Sr.; Nicole Truax, P, Sr.; Kathy Waddliove, C, Jr.

Outlook: With Silverado's move from the Sunset to the Sunrise, the Gators will have competition in a division they've traditionally dominated. With good team speed, Davis hopes to manufacture a few more runs this year.

* LAS VEGAS

Coach: Kevin Jones

1997 Record: 11-9, 5-7 Sunrise

Top Players: Kristine Dugan, SS, Jr.; Melody Marckesano, CF, Jr.; Lori Page, 2B, Sr.; Amber Parker, OF, Sr.

Outlook: The Wildcats may have difficulty rebounding from last year's poor season. Led by Dugan and Page, their infield is strong, but hitting is a question mark.

* RANCHO

Coach: Brenda King

1997 Record: 2-20, 1-11 Sunrise

Top Players: Laura Gomez, 3B, Sr.; Maggie Krase, 2B, Sr.

Outlook: The young Rams will likely struggle in this extremely competitive division. They'll try to use this year as a stepping stone and hope for success down the road.

* SILVERADO

Coach: Chuck Pope

1997 Record: 34-8, 13-1 Sunset

Top Players: April Arata, SS, Jr.; Sara Bunjer, 1B, Sr.; Tiffiny Finater, P, Jr.; Dana Williams, OF, Sr.; Julia Yurek, C/2B, Jr.

Outlook: The Skyhawks, a state semifinalist last year, will be strong again behind all-state selections Bunjer and Finater. Catcher/third baseman Stormy Hanson, a transfer from Rancho, should also help make the transition to the Sunrise Division a successful one.

* VALLEY

Coach: Andrea Liebl

1997 Record: 7-19, 1-11 Sunrise

Top Players: Kellie Payne, P, So.; Annie Schlosser, SS, Jr.; Tia Thayer, C, Jr.

Outlook: The Vikings return six quality starters from last year's club. Payne must stay healthy and pitch well if they hope to climb their way out of the Sunrise division cellar and compete in 1998.

Sunset Division

* BISHOP GORMAN

Coach: Heather Siegel

1997 Record: 9-16, 5-9 Sunset

Top Players: Stephanie Christensen, SS, Sr.; Nicole Koval, P, Jr.; Jody Lupo, CF, Jr.; Kristie Parker, C, Jr.

Outlook: First-year coach Siegel's initial chore will be finding a way to shore up the error-prone Gael defense. Power hitters Koval and Parker must drive in runs for Gorman to be successful.

* BONANZA

Coach: Cheryl Speer

1997 Record: 22-11, 10-4 Sunset

Top Players: Kelly Glass, SS, Jr.; Rachael Milligan, LF, Sr.; Jessica Smith, P, Jr.; Chrystal Stevens, CF, Sr.

Outlook: Graduation hit Bonanza -- a state qualifier last year -- hard, but most of its underclassmen have Amateur Softball Association (ASA) experience. If they find a quality battery mate for Smith, the Bengals should win the division.

* CHEYENNE

Coach: Patrick Beckwith

1997 Record: 12-14, 8-6 Sunset

Top Players: Monique Armstead, 1B, Sr.; Rebecca Blood, SS, So.; Colbi Clothier, 2B, Jr.

Outlook: The Desert Shields return of eight of nine starters from last year's club, which qualified for the zone playoffs. Cheyenne must learn to protect a lead if it is going to challenge Bonanza and Durango for the title.

* CIMARRON-MEMORIAL

Coach: Gary Kaempfer

1997 Record: 18-9, 10-4 Sunset

Top Players: Shauna Newmiller, 1B, Jr.; Jennifer Tassoni, CF, Sr.

Outlook: The Spartans are fundamentally sound but are in desperate need of quality pitching. Underclassmen must develop quickly for Kaempfer's troops to make the playoffs again.

* CLARK

Coach: Roger Schumann

1997 Record: 9-17, 4-10 Sunset

Top Players: Nicole Amandor, P, Sr.; Celeste Grover, 2B, Sr.; Jennifer Nay, P, Jr.; Amanda Williams, P, Sr.

Outlook: The Chargers possess quality pitching in Amandor and Williams, but could be weak at the plate.

* DURANGO

Coach: Sandra Morgan

1997 Record: 14-13, 6-8 Sunset

Top Players: Christina Conrad, P/1B, Jr.; Angie Kitchen, SS, Sr.; Meagan Salamino, 2B, Sr.; Misty Young, CF, Sr.

Outlook: With five seniors in the starting lineup, the Trailblazers should challenge Bonanza for first place in the division. If they find a quality pitcher to complement Conrad, Durango could give Silverado and Green Valley trouble in the zone tournament.

* WESTERN

Coach: Ron Taylor

1997 Record: 2-21, 0-14 Sunset

Top Players: Rhianon Watters, P, So.; Jenny Yarnell, SS, So.

Outlook: First-year coach Taylor has a major rebuilding job on his hands. The Warriors are weak at the plate and on the mound, and could struggle to win a single game in the division.