Torrey Pines Lady Falcons Softball

Name / School / Yr. / Pos. / Comment

Sierra Altmeyer / Patrick Henry / So. / 2B / Committed to UC Santa Barbara

Katie Bushee / San Marcos / Sr. / CF / Hits for average (. 432)

Katie Byrd / West Hills / Jr. / 2B / Valuable bat hitting behind Horne

Dylan Christensen / Eastlake / Sr. / CF / Batted .526 with 12 RBIs as junior

Christina Clermont / San Marcos / Sr. / RHP / Syracuse commit

Elontay Collins / Serra / Sr. / CF / Q’s top threat with .419 average last year

Kortney Cracker / Mission Hills / Jr. / INF / Looking for breakout season

Dana Cruse / Del Norte / Sr. / RHP / Coming off .356 season with 30 RBIs

Taylor Cruse / Mater Dei Catholic / Sr. / 1B / Nine HRs, 36 RBIs last year

Amber Davis / Ramona / Jr. / 3B / .431 average, six HRs and 24 RBIs

Hailey Drew / Fallbrook / Jr. / INF / Could improve on .404 average, 20 RBIs

Hannah Flippen / Bonita Vista / Sr. / SS / Table-setter with .470 average

Delanie Gourley / El Capitan / Sr. / LHP / Top pitcher in the section

Kayti Grable / Santana / Sr. / C / Big hitter behind the plate

Noelle Graves / San Pasqual / Jr. / OF / .338 average, 14 RBIs

Tara Grennan / Santana / Sr. / 1B / Committed to Colgate

Jazlyn Hallare / Cathedral Catholic / Sr. / OF / Drove in 27 runs for Dons

Alysa Harris / Christian / Jr. / SS / Set tone on offense with .400 average

Kailey Hill / Ramona / Jr. / RHP / League Player of Year

Cortney Horne / West Hills / Jr. / C / .560 batting average in 2012

Molly Hutchison / Steele Canyon / Sr. / C-1B / NC State commit

Jaylene Ignacio / El Camino / Sr. / 2B / Clubbed six homers with 19 RBIs

Jo Karla Jimenez / Brawley / Sr. / INF-OF / Ready for a breakout season

Reyna Jamison / Mater Dei Catholic / So. / 3B / Batted .307 at the hot corner

Hayley Kasden / Grossmont / Sr. / 2B / Plans to walk on at San Diego State

Tara Kliebenstein / El Camino / Sr. / INF / Anchors lineup with .485 average

Grace Kramer / Steele Canyon / Sr. / P-1B / Ticketed for St. John’s next year

Kristina Lahitte / Granite Hills / Sr. / C / Signs point to spectacular season

Skania Lemus / Mater Dei Catholic / Sr. / SS / .505 average and 25 RBIs

Grayce Majam / Mountain Empire / Sr. / P-SS / Ready to play at Ole Miss

Katiyana Mauga / Mira Mesa / Sr. / C-SS / Arizona commit

Quirisa Mauga / Mira Mesa / Jr. / 2B / Rich softball bloodlines

Tiana Miller / Rancho Bernardo / Jr. / OF / Big bat in Broncos’ lineup

Alexis Morales / Mater Dei Catholic / So. / P / 15-7 with 3.30 ERA last year

Rachel Nasland / Torrey Pines / Sr. / RHP / 17-2 with 0.55 ERA for champs

Sarah Nicks / Grossmont / Sr. / C / Headed off to Minot State next year

Sarai Niu / Cathedral Catholic / So. / SS / Steadies infield, hit .419, 25 RBIs

Sashel Palacios / Otay Ranch / Sr. / C-INF / .523 average and 35 RBIs

Kali Pugh / Rancho Buena Vista / Sr. / OF / 10 homers, 38 RBIs, .418

Ariel Rasmusson / Santana / Sr. / SS / 24 steals and .426 average

Delynn Rippy / El Camino / Sr. / OF / .537 average with 27 runs scored

Hannah Rodriguez / Brawley / So. / SS / All-league as a freshman

Cheyenne Robinson / EC Southwest / Sr. / CF / On the upswing

Mice’la Ross / Mission Bay / Jr. / P-1B / Had 312 strikeouts as a sophomore

Marissa Sacco / San Dieguito / Sr. / RHP / .481, 14 RBIs

Amber Schisler / Santana / Sr. / P-1B / Next stop is McNeese State

Kali Schwartz / Steele Canyon / Sr. / 1B / .468 average and 18 RBIs

Brishann Scott / University City / Sr. / INF / First-team All-Western League

Kayla Silverstein / La Costa Canyon / Sr. / RHP / Hurled Mavs to league title

Chase Snell / Poway / Sr. / SS / Villanova-bound after hot postseason

Andrea Sotelo / Imperial / So. / C-INF / .475 average, seven homers, 39 RBIs

Kylie Steagall / Steele Canyon / Sr. / 3B-P / Hit .500 and drove in 29

Kim Tamayo / Mater Dei Catholic / Sr. / C / .524 average and 32 RBIs

Valeria Torres / EC Southwest / Sr. / C-INF / .413, 10 homers, 40 RBIs

Kimmy Triolo / Granite Hills / Sr. / P / 8-6 with 2.43 ERA while batting .489

Sara White / Rancho Bernardo / Jr. / RHP / Committed to Notre Dame

Sonia White / Imperial / Sr. / C / .367 average in 30 at-bats in 2012

Tonia Wu / San Dieguito / Sr. / RHP / Less pitching, but hit, 532 with 14 RBIs

Coaching changes

The landscape has changed dramatically in the North County Conference. There will be new coaches this season at Mt. Carmel (Tony Silveira replaces Ruby Chavez), Westview (Robert Purcell replaces Kelly Peterson), Canyon Crest (Sari-Jane August replaces Angela Ciufo), Mission Hills (Julie Terwilliger replaces Kevin Glatt), San Marcos (Jan Wright replaces Brant Beddow) and Orange Glen (Brenda Langston replaces Laura Quiroz).

Broken record?

Mira Mesa senior catcher Katiyana Mauga is on pace to break the San Diego Section career home run record of 41 held by Oceanside’s Trina Harrison. After belting 16 homers a year ago, Mauga begins her final high school campaign with 36 career home runs. Mauga, who has a scholarship to the University of Arizona, also has 159 career RBIs for the Marauders.

Crusaders dynasty

All-state senior catcher Kim Tamayo anchors Mater Dei Catholic, which has won three straight section Division IV titles. Senior shortstop Skania Lemus will also contribute for the Crusaders. The biggest question mark will be pitching, and that rests on the shoulders of sophomore Alexis Morales.

Sultans of swat

Look out for Santana, the Grossmont Valley League co-champion with El Capitan a year ago. Eight senior starters return for the Sultans, led by catcher Kayti Grable (.486), first baseman-pitcher Amber Schisler (.426, 12 HRs) and shortstop Ariel Rasmusson (.426). Schisler posted a 26-7 mark with a 1.73 ERA.

Back for more

Can Torrey Pines repeat? For the first time, the Falcons are the defending section Division I champions. It took extra innings, but they beat Carlsbad for last year’s crown and have an excellent chance heading into this season with Notre Dame-bound pitcher Rachel Nasland back in the circle.

Big bat

West Hills junior catcher Cortney Horne won the East County battling title with a .560 average a year ago. She committed to Ohio State, but that free ride was withdrawn when the coaching staff was dismissed. Horne packs plenty of punch as proven by her 21 extra-base hits, including 14 doubles. She drove in 33 runs.

Fresh faces

Senior center fielder Elontay Collins will lead Serra in what could be one of the Conquistadors’ better seasons in recent years. This might be the region’s surprise team.

Test for Barons

Bonita Vista, which won the section Division II championship a year ago, returns the bulk of its team, but pitching could be a question mark. Shortstop Hannah Flippen and right fielder Ivanna Lopez will lead the offense.

Here are the 2013 Cal-Hi Sports preseason top 20 state softball rankings (listed with win-loss record from last season):

1. Pacifica (Garden Grove) 28-3
Ohio State-bound Rebecca Lee had 30 RBIs for the Mariners last season and is one of several top hitters to go along with all that pitching (see above). In addition, head coach Mark Campbell can count on junior infielder Nicole Dewitt (Florida) plus junior infielder Brooke Marquez (Northwestern), junior outfielder Faith Canfield (Michigan) and senior infielder Ruby Rivera (Illinois). The Mariners also have additional depth from a JV team that didn’t lose a game last season, including perfect records in three tournaments. In fact, the team still only has two seniors on the roster, which makes Pacifica a contender to be No. 1 in the state and nation for a long time.

2. Norco 31-2
According to head coach Rick Robinson (the 2012 Cal-Hi Sports State Coach of the Year), replacing Emily Lockman in the circle will be junior Kristen Voller, who pitched on the JV level last year with a 19-1 record, along with freshman Kerisa Viramontes, who already has committed to Loyola Marymount. The Cougars aren’t as loaded in the outfield as they are in the infield (see above), but it’s not bad, either. Junior centerfielder Amanda Sandoval (a Cal Poly San Luis Obispo commit) leads that group.

3. Amador Valley (Pleasanton) 26-1
New coach Teresa Borchard takes over for Julie Marshall and inherits the top preseason team in Northern California. The Dons’ only loss last year came in the CIF North Coast Section Division I final in a 1-0 game to James Logan of Union City. The top returnee is dominating pitcher Johanna Grauer, the Cal-Hi Sports State Sophomore of the Year. She has committed to Arizona State after striking out 328 batters with a 0.33 ERA last year. Six other starters besides Grauer also are back, including outfielder Krista Williams (Northwestern), junior shortstop Ashley Lotozynski (UC Davis) and junior catcher Victoria Molina, who has an offer from Stanford but also is considering Ivy League colleges due to her academics.

4. Esperanza (Anaheim) 25-7
The Aztecs are loaded with everyone back except for just three graduated seniors. Coach Ed Tunstall has a big-time pitcher among the returnees as well. She’s junior Hayley Copeland, who had a 1.14 ERA last season and struck out 214 batters. She has already committed to South Carolina. The junior class has been stellar since many were freshmen, including outfielder Bryanna Castro, who hit .429 last year, and utility player Bryley Steele (.444, 5 homers). Sophomore catcher Maddie Roth batted .469 as a freshman.

5. James Logan (Union City) 24-1
Returning pitcher Raeann Garza tossed a shutout in last year’s NCS final against Amador Valley, which denied the Dons the chance to be unbeaten and No. 1 in the nation. Although Jazmine Reed’s dazzling play at shortstop will need to be replaced, the Colts should be a formidable defending champion. In addition to Garza, also back for coach Teri Johnson are catcher Caley Bonansea, first base Melina Rodriguez and pitcher/outfielder Kimberly Goulart (who has signed with Santa Clara). Garza was one of the leading hitters for last year’s squad as well.

6. Edison (Huntington Beach) 26-5
The Chargers are one of those teams that did suffer some significant graduation losses (Casey Africano, Jessica Plaza) but are getting a fairly high preseason ranking because they have one of the state’s top pitchers coming back. As a junior, Samantha Cordova pitched almost every inning with a 25-5 record and a 0.88 ERA. Among the other returnees, watch out for sisters Karley Wester (senior outfielder) and Aly Wester (sophomore infielder).

7. Woodcreek (Roseville) 26-4
Only three seniors were on the roster last season when the Timberwolves won the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division II title. That makes them the team to beat not just in Division II but for the entire section. Veteran coach Art Banks has his No. 1 pitcher back, Amanda Horbasch (0.96 ERA), plus three of the squad’s top four hitters – Christal Vierra, Lexi Wilkerson and Frankie Orlando.

8. Los Alamitos 23-7
If the Griffins had not lost sisters Andi and Alex Formby to Mater Dei of Santa Ana due to a move and transfer, they would have probably been in the top three or four in the state to start the season. Still, coach Rob Weir and his staff should have one of the top squads in Southern California. Seven starters are back, led by all-state underclass infielder Megan Geer (Tennessee), outfielder Erika Crissman (Indiana State) and third base Alex Finie (Loyola Marymount). Los Al coaches also really like the idea of experienced catcher Rachel Sellers (University of Pacific) handling up-and-coming sophomore pitchers Katie Neary and Taylor Covington.

9. El Diamante (Visalia) 30-2
It may be tough for the Miners to move up too far in the rankings as the season goes along because they aren’t venturing out of the CIF Central Section to face other top teams from around the state. Still, they are expected to get the job done this year and win the Division I section title that eluded them last year. The team features one of the top pitcher-catcher combos in the state with pitcher Sierra Hyland (30-2, 1.02, 312 Ks) and catcher Katy McJunkin (.465, 33 RBI). Hyland (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo) and McJunkin (Purdue) also are headed to Division I colleges. Also among a group of seven returning starters are junior outfielder Baylie Jensen (Virginia Tech), sophomore infielder Rylee Pierce (Missouri) and senior infielder Stevi Johnson (Charleston Southern).

10. Santiago (Corona) 23-10
The Sharks still have senior Erica Romero in the circle and enough firepower to challenge Norco in the Big VIII League and in the CIF Southern Section. Two years ago, when Romero was a sophomore, she was the winning pitcher when Santiago topped Canyon of Anaheim in the CIFSS Division I championship. She only went 10-7 as a junior, but most of the losses were to top-ranked teams. Santiago’s other top returnees are junior Randel Leahy (9 homers, 41 RBIs) and senior Brittany Abacherli (.402, 25 RBIs).

11. San Benito (Hollister) 23-3
Veteran coach Scott Smith, the 2011 Cal-Hi Sports State Coach of the Year, should have another squad ready to roll in the CIF Central Coast Section. The Balers have won seven straight Division I section crowns and only lost two seniors from last season’s roster. Leading the pack is pitcher Megan Sabbatini, who also should be one of the team’s top hitters. Although San Benito tends not to play as tough a schedule as CCS rival Archbishop Mitty (the two also normally are not in the same playoff division), the high number of returning players and the team’s run of consecutive section titles is enough for us to start the Balers just right in front of the Monarchs in this year’s preseason rankings.

12. Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) 27-2
Losing a dominant player to graduation is not a new thing for the Monarchs. They were fine after national and state player of the year Keilani Ricketts left for the University of Oklahoma and should be okay with Vanessa Alvarez leaving for Cal after last season. In a state like California, though, such a loss is going to cause other teams that are not in that situation to be ranked higher – at least at the start of the next season. Sophomore Danielle Bowers was the No. 2 pitcher last season and also returns after hitting .366. At this point, according to head coach Brian Yocke, it looks like Bowers, along with upcoming JV pitcher Desiree Severance, will split the pitching this season. Jazmyn Jackson doesn’t pitch, but with her back the Monarchs do have perhaps the state’s best outfielder. She batted .551 as a sophomore with 54 hits. Another all-state candidate could be infielder Kiersten Nordin, a four-year starter who batted .359.

13. Torrey Pines (San Diego) 31-5
The Falcons look like the team to beat in the CIF San Diego Section. Notre Dame-bound Rachel Nasland leads a group of returnees that comprised most of last year’s roster (just five seniors) and it was a team that won the Division I section crown. Nasland went 17-2 in the circle with a 0.55 ERA and had 205 strikeouts. Top RBI producer Julia Yacker along with senior multi-purpose player Kaitlin Schreiber and junior outfielder Kelsey Buchanan also are among those back.

14. Mission Viejo 24-6
A team that included two highly regarded freshmen last year won the title in the competitive South Coast League, battled Norco tough in a 1-0 loss and also beat Los Alamitos. Those freshmen – pitcher Taylor McQuillin (an Oklahoma State commit who had a 0.80 ERA and a 23-5 record) and infielder Alyssa Palomino (who hit seven homers and had a .469 average) – are back as sophomores and make the Diablos a team to watch this season.

15. Elk Grove 20-7
Only three seniors were on last year’s team at Elk Grove, which along with Sheldon of Sacramento and Pleasant Grove of Elk Grove usually produces at least one top state-ranked squad. The Thundering Herd should have strong pitching with returnees Erica Burke (a senior) and Kim Wilburn (a junior). Among those back with strong bats are sophomores Morgan Lamb (.410) and Victoria Saborio (.370).

16. Saugus 22-8
With teams such as the Centurions, along with Valencia, Canyon and Hart, the CIF Southern Section’s Foothill League is traditionally one of the toughest three or four leagues in the state. Last year’s team at Saugus was state-ranked at times and had just three seniors on the roster. Among the returnees is all-state underclass Alanna Layton, who won 13 games as a pitcher and had seven homers with 32 RBIs as a hitter. Others back include outfielder Diana Mendoza (.356, 24 runs scored) and shortstop Rachel Shotzberger (25 RBIs).

17. Chino Hills 32-3
Coach Mike Southworth loses three top players to graduation – pitcher Nikki Innamorato, infielder Nikki Girard and catcher Paige Gumz – but the roster certainly remains stocked with talent. Junior Patricia Parks should step into the No. 1 pitcher’s role if she’s healthy and has a scholarship offer from Arizona. Sophomore Tannon Snow also is back. She was a candidate for state freshman of the year after batting .436 with eight homers and 34 RBIs.

18. Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 17-10
With the addition of sisters Andie and Alex Formby, who have transferred from Los Alamitos, the Monarchs become a top 20 team to start and could quickly rise in the rankings as the season goes along. The Formby sisters, both juniors, pitch and play first base. Andie was regarded as one of the state’s top sophomore pitchers last season. Coach Doug Myers has several other key returnees, led by infielder Nicolette Udria, who hit almost .400 as a junior.

19. Lutheran (Orange) 27-5
The Lancers were a two-headed monster last season with Jade Vecvenags and Madison Osias and will need Vecvenags to be even more of a pitching-hitting success with Osias graduated. The University of Illinois-bound standout was all-state underclass after going 16-1 in the circle and hitting 10 home runs with her bat. Some other pieces of the puzzle also return – senior outfielder Olivia Sandusky (.463, 21 RBIs, going to University of San Diego) and senior infielder Devin Montgomery (.304, going to Utah State).

20. El Capitan (Lakeside) 21-9
Most of the top hitters are back from a 2012 team of Vaqueros that won the CIF San Diego Section Division III championship. What makes them a preseason team to watch, though, is the return of dominating player Delanie Gourley. She signed with national power Florida in the fall and is the reigning San Diego Section player of the year. She struck out 335 batters as a pitcher last season and also hit .540 at the plate.

Teams on the Bubble

Alhambra (Martinez) 22-5
Cajon (San Bernardino) 22-5-1
California (San Ramon) 16-10
Carlmont (Belmont) 24-4
Chino 24-9
Central (Fresno) 28-6
Colton 21-6
Foothill (Tustin) 14-14
Heritage (Brentwood) 22-3
Hughson 28-1
Leigh (San Jose) 20-10
Petaluma 24-4
Sheldon (Sacramento) 21-9
Sierra (Manteca) 18-6
Vista Murrieta (Murrieta) 23-5-1
Valencia 20-11