Capsules
Blanchet
Coach - Lisa Olsen, 3rd year.
1997 results - 16-5 (second in Metro), 18-8.
Returning starters - Allison Baxter, LF, Sr.; Mary Wellnitz, 2b, Sr.; Lindsey Miller, RF, Jr.; Emily McNaughton, P, Jr.; Katie Andre', 3b, So.
Impact newcomers - Therese Aoki, INF, Fr; Jen Segadelli, OF, Fr; Nicole Tinglestad, utility, Fr; Courtney Cunningham, SS, Jr.
Miscellany - Only two seniors on team. . . . Beat Kennedy and lost to Roosevelt and Jackson in nonleague games. . . . 3-1 in league play.
Outlook - Serious contender, as always.
Ballard
Coach - Alford Lowe, Sr., 9th year.
1997 results - 15-12.
Returning starters - Kari Greenway, 1B, Sr.; Lindsay White, 2B, Sr.; Sarah Huden, P, Sr.; Jennifer Taylor, 3B; Ashley Thompson, SS; Nicole Thorton, C; Stacy Underwood, P.
Impact newcomers - Brynn Peckham, OF, So.; Sarah Yonich, OF, Sr.; Ali Payne, P, Jr.
Miscellany - Lowe was voted coach of the year last year by his peers. . . . Newcomer Payne is a solid addition to pitching staff and may be league newcomer of the year. . . . Off to 4-1 start with only loss to Chief Sealth. . . . Wins include 10-4 triumph over Eastside Catholic this week.
Outlook - Should surprise some folks.
Eastside Catholic
Coach - John Hronek, second year.
1997 results - 14-2 (second in Metro), 18-6 (qualified for district tournament).
Returning starters - Josie Wilkes, P, Jr.; Michelle Thiry, C, So.; Megan Wagner, CF-1B, Jr.; Megan McDermott, 1B, Jr.; McKenzie Dahl, 2b, So.; Erin Sibert, OF, Sr.
Impact newcomers - Carol Scherer, SS, Fr.; Nicole Herr, 3B, Fr.; Stephanie Coburn, OF, Fr.
Miscellany - Entered week with 4-1 overall record and 4-0 in league but lost to Ballard. . . . Wins over Lakeside, Holy Names, Hale and Summit. . . . Shut out 6-0 by Seattle Prep yesterday.
Outlook - Definitely one of the teams to beat.
Nathan Hale
Coach - Don Bowell (first year), Mike Comiskey (second year).
1997 results - 2-13.
Returning starters - Molly Phelps, C, Jr.; Kelly Nigh, SS-P, So.; Julia Van Der Werf, CF, Sr.; Jana Demasi, LF, Sr.; Tara Boyd, P, So.; Katie McDonald, 1B, So.; Canisha Stenston, RF, Sr.; Nikki McDowell, 3B, So.
Impact newcomers - Jessica Bruce, 2B, So.; Kim Cox, P-1B, Fr.; Debbie Roberts, P, Fr.
Outlook - Improved from last year. Beat Rainier Beach this week.
Holy Names
Coach - Jerry Millsap, third year.
1997 results - Qualified for district tournament.
Returning starters - Annie Hayward, P, Jr.; Heather Allen, SS, Sr. (All-Metro); Shawna Van Houtte, 3B, Sr.; Robyn Dannenhold, 1B, Sr.; Jen Hawes, C, Sr.; Rekeda McCoy, CF, Jr.; Jessie Hanley, CF, Jr.; Rut Perez Studer, RF, Sr.
Impact newcomers - Megan Brunstad, C-3B-P, Fr.
Outlook - Could have a winning record.
Ingraham
Coach - JoJo Rodriguez, first year.
1997 results - Didn't make playoffs.
Returning starters - Shannon Cambra, SS, Jr.; Regina Charles, C, So.; Melody Benner-Snyder, 1B, So.; Susie Erickson, 2b, So.; Jessica Schwitzer, 3B, So.
Key newcomers - Kristina Whitehall, Jr.; Ana Sticker, So.
Miscellany - Rodriguez is former Garfield boys basketball coach. . . . Team is sophomore-laden.
Outlook - The young Rams defeated Rainier Beach this week and should win some other games.
Lakeside
Coach - Tutti Compton, 1st year.
1997 results - 9-5, Qualified for district.
Returning starters - Sarah Peterson, SS, Sr.; Karri Frame, CF, Sr.; Amy Albro, 3B, Jr.; Allison Abbott, 2B, Jr.; Lauren Deal, RF, Jr.; Sophie Calderon, C, So.; Laura Cunningham, P, So.
Impact newcomers - Brynn Utley, 1B, So.; Ciara Bratley, LF, So.; Rebekah Antoine-Zimbabwe, utility, So.; Brigid Smith, utility, Fr.
Miscellany - Outfielder Nancy Mikacenic is out for several weeks with broken ankle suffered in nonschool soccer game. . . . Freshman Eve Russell is out with knee injuries.
Outlook - Not afraid of anybody. Might surprise.
Rainier Beach
Coach - Cleveland Holland, 2nd year.
1997 results - Won two games.
Returning starters - Mimi Hunter, SS, Jr.; Amphone Rasasombath, C-OF, Jr.; Cindy Ng, 2b, Jr.; Marlene Semo, C-OF, Jr.; Tea Brown, LF, Jr.
Impact newcomers - Rachelle Ulu, OF, So.
Miscellany - Shaylynn Leonard, starting first baseman, is out with an injury.
Outlook - Won't contend but could win some games.
Seattle Prep
Coach - Jeff Pietz, sixth year.
1997 results - 16-0 (Metro champions), 25-3 (went to state).
Returning starters - Sarah Tomlinson, SS, Sr.; Theresa Hornick, P-1B, Jr.; Becky Hagelin, OF, Sr.
Impact newcomer - Jenny Strother, C, So.
Miscellany - Hornick pitched two no-hitters last year, one of them in the Metro title game against Blanchet. She entered district tournament with a 0.20 earned-run average. . . . Team lost nine seniors to graduation. . . . Prep never has lost a Metro game since league went to fastpitch in 1996. . . . Beat Eastside Catholic 6-0 yesterday on Hornick one-hitter. . . . Prep has defeated both Blanchet and EC. . . . Suffered 1-0 nonleague loss to Lindbergh.
Outlook - Prep is always tough and Hornick is one of the state's best pitchers.
Chief Sealth
Coach - Mike Siva, eighth year.
1997 results - Qualified for district tournament.
Returning starters - Jackie Meyers, Utility, Sr. (All-Metro); Vanessa Delfiero, P, Sr.; Priscilla Calderson, P, Sr.
Impact newcomers - Shavonna Rivers, C, So. (transfer); Gloria Faolima, Utility, Fr.
Miscellany - Had good win over Ballard last week.
Outlook - Young team but having two senior pitchers is a plus.
Summit
Coach - Kevin Davis, 1st year.
1997 results - 9th in Metro.
Returning starters - Alison Balf-Johnson, 3B, Sr.; Cori Hill, 2B, So.; Marianna Orantes, P, Sr.; Taneisha Young, 1B, Jr.; Mindy Kuyper, OF, Jr.
Impact newcomers - Nikki Wilke, SS, Jr.; Seena Asavarahapun, OF, Fr.; Jessica Marshall, C, Fr.
Miscellany - Summit replaces Cleveland, which was unable to field team. This is second year in 3A for Summit, which is a Class B school in Lake City. . . . Team entered week 0-2 in nonleague games. . . . Davis is coach of girls basketball and volleyball. Basketball team won its division of Sea-Tac B League.
Outlook - Young team won't contend but should win some games.
West Seattle
Coach - Rod Pierce, second year.
1997 results - 8-9, qualified for district tournament.
Returning starters - Kalli Saisslin, SS, So.; Michele Richards, CF, Jr.; Renee Sappenfield, 1B, Jr.; Kristin Manes, P/IF, So.; Crystal Swallow, P/IF, Jr.
Miscellany - Lost only two seniors to graduation. . . . Young pitchers might come together during the season.
Outlook - Could be a surprise.
Compiled by Craig Smith, Seattle Times staff reporter. ------------------------------- Metro softball players to watch
Theresa Hornick, P, Jr., Seattle Prep
- One of state's best pitchers.
Sarah Tomlinson, SS, Sr., Seattle Prep
- Reliable multi-sport athlete.
Josie Wilkes, P, Jr., Eastside Catholic
- One of top pitchers in Puget Sound area.
Michelle Thiry, C, So., Eastside Catholic
- Made a splash as a freshman.
Kelly Nigh, SS-P, So., Nathan Hale
- One of best sophomore athletes in city.
Allison Baxter, LF, Sr., Blanchet
- Reliable performer for good team.
Katie Andre, 3B, So., Blanchet
- A player to keep an eye on.
Amy Albro, 3B, Jr. Lakeside
- First-team all-Metro; three-sport athlete.
Sarah Peterson, SS, Sr., Lakeside
- Not afraid to dive and get dirty.
Heather Allen, SS, Sr., Holy Names
- All-Metro last season.
Kalli Saisslin, SS, So., West Seattle
- Led team in total hits last year and hit .474.
Jackie Meyers, SS, Sr., Chief Sealth
- Returning All-Metro selection.
Ali Payne, P, Jr., Ballard
- Transfer pitcher helps Beavers.
Nicole Thornton, C, Jr., Ballard
- Good hitter and fine defense.
Ashley Thompson, SS, So., Ballard
- Switch-hitter with power.
Mimi Hunter, SS, Jr., Rainier Beach
- Good all-around athlete. ------------------------------- Handicapping Metro softball
Favorite Seattle Prep
Next best Blanchet Eastside Catholic
Contenders Ballard Lakeside Holy Names
Might surprise Chief Sealth West Seattle Nathan Hale
Long shots Ingraham Rainier Beach Summit
Division alignments Mountain - Ballard, Blanchet, Eastside Catholic, Seattle Prep, Chief Sealth, West Seattle. Sound - Nathan Hale, Holy Names, Ingraham, Lakeside,Rainier Beach, Summit (replaces Cleveland).