Team Capsules
Evergreen Wolverines
Coach - Daylene Boehm, fifth year.
1998 league record - 6-8 (tied for fifth); qualified for Sea-King 3A District tournament.
Returning players - Jennifer McCormick, 1B/OF, sr.; Kristie Thorlacius, OF, sr.; Melissa Marbet, SS, sr.; Cindy Duong, 2B, sr.; Kelsey Tran, P, jr.; Renee Wintersteen, C, jr.; Misty Scott, IF, jr.
Key newcomers - Joanna Plenkovich, OF, sr.; Kacey Williams, IF, jr.; Erin Hunter, OF, so.; Teresa Flynn, IF, so.; Dianna Eng, C, fr.; Kate Sauro, P/1B, fr.
Outlook - Things went the Wolves' way last season, but they must keep working hard to get back to the playoffs this spring, according to Boehm. Four full-time starters are back, including Tran on the mound. She consistently gives her team a chance to win. The defense looks tough up the middle, but is suspect on the corners. Offense must be able to bunt in key situations. Early schedule is tough, but Wolves can't let their confidence get shaken.
Hazen Highlanders
Coach - Jim Magnuson, 17th year.
1998 league record - 13-1 (tied for first); qualified for Sea-King 3A District tournament.
Returning players - Andrea Keene, OF, sr.; Nicole Oberg, P, jr.; Jill Cronauer, 1B, jr.; Sarah Rerecich, 2B, jr.; Nicole Wicks, SS, jr.; Lisa Crater, OF/P, jr.; Sara Argile, OF, jr.; Chelsea Webster, OF/P, so.
Key newcomers - Katie Randall, OF, sr.; Jennifer McLuen, OF, jr.; Jenessa 3B, so.; Jessica Schwab, C, fr.
Outlook - A year older, a year better - and wait until next year! The Highlanders have all but two starters back, and the roster still includes only two seniors. Co-favorite with Lindbergh. Oberg is one of area's top pitchers and has some good backups. The hitting looks more potent than last season, and the defense is stable. Being able to win the close ones - Hazen lost a pair of one-run games at district last year - will be a key to taking the next step in the playoffs.
Highline Pirates
Coach - Dave Stark, 16th year.
1998 league record - 7-7 (fourth); qualified for Sea-King 3A District tournament.
Returning players - Rachel Prgomet, 1B, sr.; Kim Stampalia, OF, sr.; Kristen Habakangas, SS, jr.; Suzanne Stark, utility, jr.; Nicole Garrett, C, so.; Lacey Walter, P, so.
Key newcomers - Melissa Brownfield, OF, sr.; Michelle Parker, IF, sr.; Cyerena Taylor, P/2B, jr.; Destiny Sutton, 2B, jr.; Carla Hudson, OF, jr.; Morgan Dewey, OF, jr.; Amanda Mason, 3B, so.; Beth Wagner, C/OF, so.
Outlook - Young team with potential to get back to playoffs. Replacing all-league shortstop Alex Riconcia won't be easy, but Habakangus is moving from second base and can do the job. Walter holds her own on the mound, and the early hitting has been ahead of schedule. Getting consistent play on defense, especially in the outfield, will be a key.
Kennedy Lancers
Coach - Dino Josie, sixth year.
1998 league record - 8-6 (third); eliminated in Seamount League tournament.
Returning players - Teresa Avakian, C/OF, sr.; Michelle Porter, P/OF, sr.; Samantha Riegle, OF/3B/1B, sr.; Jennifer Wells, SS, sr.; Danielle Wood, 1B, sr.; Dana Rohrbacher, IF/DH, jr.; Kelly Stewart, OF/P, jr.; Alison Knudson, P/IF/C, so.
Key newcomers - Kim Farmer, C/OF, sr.; Courtney Lienesch, OF, jr.; Michelle Grubb, P, so.; Hilda Guiao, IF, so.; Samantha Hashbarger, C, so.; Tawnisha Gregory, OF/1B/3B, fr.
Outlook - Good core of players returning, but lots of big holes to fill, especially up the middle, and it looks to be a rebuilding season for the Lancers. Graduate Jamie Little handled most of the pitching duties last season, and Josie is looking to Grubb and Knudson this season. They will be big factors in Kennedy's chances. Offense should be productive and features a lot of speed, notably Wells in leadoff spot.
Lindbergh Eagles
Coach - Brian Reckling, second year.
1998 league record - 13-1 (tied for first); qualified for Sea-King 3A District tournament.
Returning players - Kristen Kiekenapp, P, sr.; Krissy Hefner, C, sr.; Christine Schram, SS, sr.; Crystal Chase, OF, sr.; Heather Trimm, IF, sr.; Erin Castro, 3B, jr.
Key newcomers - Angie Warns, OF/1B, sr.; Ashleigh Johnson, OF, jr.; Kelly Hefner, IF, so.; Melissa Rutherford, OF, fr.; Hillary Schmidt, 1B/P, fr.; Teryn George, utility, fr.
Outlook - Kiekenapp can dominate and makes Lindbergh a co-favorite to finish on top again. Competent defense behind her, although three freshmen will start. This year's team is deeper in talent than last year's and is taking a low-key approach to the season, according to Reckling. If the Eagles step up at the plate, they should make another run for league title and bid for a state berth.
Mount Rainier Rams
Coach - Donnie Moore, fourth year.
1998 league record - 6-8 (tied for fifth); qualified for Sea-King 3A District tournament.
Returning players - Shannon Schueller, OF, sr.; Amanda Carter, 1B, sr.; Nicole Finn, 1B, jr.; Meri Rinehart, OF, so.; Karen Love, P, so.; Karlia Lindeke, P, so.
Key newcomers - Meghan Martin, IF, sr.; Kris Proszek, 2B, sr.; Nicki Loomis, OF, jr.; Tiffany Messmer, 3B, jr.; Darcy Allen, P/IF, so.; Amy Betenson, C, so.; Michelle Tripp, C, so.; Natalie Carpenter, IF/OF, so.; Katie Fuserud,IF, so.; Dana Lede, P/IF, so.; Julie Rinehart, P/IF/OF, so.; Amy Thomasson, IF/OF, so.; Elaine Hart, SS, fr.
Outlook - Rams were young last year, starting four freshmen, and still are dominated by sophomores. But it's a talented class, and Moore expects to return to district tournament again despite loss of all-league catcher Paige Dahlegard, who moved to Oregon. Love and Lindeke will share time on mound again, and there's more pitching depth. Defense appears to be another plus, which leaves hitting as the key to their season.
Renton Indians
Coach - Sandra Winmill, second year.
1998 league record - 1-13 (eighth).
Returning players - Najolin Lewis-Daniels, OF, sr.; Veronica Weaver, OF, sr.; Anna King, OF, sr.; Abby Lyonais, 3B, sr.; Kendra Lyonais, 3B, sr.; Khanie Ha, SS, sr.; Mary Tonda, C, sr.; Amanda Grutko, P/utility, so.; Amanda Blanchard, P/utility.
Key newcomers - Gloria Gage, 1B, so.; Alicia Cunningham, P/OF, fr.
Outlook - For the first time in five years, the Indians have the same coach for the second consecutive season. And they've already shown tremendous improvement over last season. They've got some pop in their bats with Tonda and Ha showing good power early. Pitching is stable enough to give them a chance to win and defense can hold its own. The more confidence they gain, they more damage they might do in the league.
Tyee Totems
Coach - Dominic Yarrington, second year.
1998 league record - 2-12 (seventh).
Returning players - Michelle Wolfe C, sr.; Kristynn Martinez, 1B, sr.; Jolene Diermyer, P, sr.; Tiffany Schultz, 3B, sr.; Kelly Desgroslier, DH/OF, sr.; Kara Wolfe, 2B, jr.; Heather Snakey, OF, jr.
Key newcomers - Tara Robbins, SS, jr.; Lindsey Maas, OF, so.; Kacee Boslaugh, OF, fr.
Outlook - This should be another much-improved team, and the Totems have their sights set on making the playoffs this season. Yarrington believes they should get there if they play good defense, which was their undoing last season. Diermyer is consistent and forces hitters to put ball in play. Wolfe batted .460 last year and several others swing good bats, including Schultz and the Wolfe sisters.
Seamount League fastpitch softball forecast
Predicted order of finish for the 1999 Seamount League fastpitch softball race, based on a survey of division coaches, and their 1998 league records. Voting based on seven points for first, six for second, etc. (first-place votes in parentheses). Coaches not allowed to vote for their own team.
Pts 1998 .
1. Lindbergh (5) 47 13-1 .
2. Hazen (3) 45 13-1 .
3. Evergreen 31 6-8 .
4. Highline 30 7-7 .
5. Kennedy 25 8-6 .
6. Mount Rainier 22 6-8 .
7. Tyee 13 2-12 .
8. Renton 11 1-13 .