PREP SOFTBALL 1992 / CENTURY LEAGUE : Villa Park

1991 RECORDS -- OVERALL: 12-13-1, LEAGUE: 5-5 COACH: David Shelton RECORD AT SCHOOL: 186-126-2

RETURNING STARTERS YR. POS. B-T Mickey Trollinger Sr. 1B L-L Jody Carreras Sr. P R-R Kristen Maida Jr. 2B-OF R-R Jenny Boroughs Jr. P-OF R-R

OTHER TOP RETURNERS YR. POS. B-T None

TOP NEWCOMERS YR. POS. B-T Brandee McArthur Fr. P-INF S-R Christine Culver Jr. C R-R

OUTLOOK

Along with the rest of the coaches in the league, Shelton concedes that the race will be for second place behind defending champion Foothill. “By far, Foothill should be the No. 1 pick,” Shelton said. “One of us (Villa Park, Canyon, El Modena) might knock off Foothill in a game, but Foothill should win league.” Although only four players return from last season’s team, Shelton is optimistic and points to the Spartans’ history. “Players have come and gone, but we’ve been in the playoffs in nine of the last 10 seasons,” Shelton said. The Spartans may go as far as their pitchers take them. Carreras, the team’s No. 1 starter, and Boroughs carried the load last season, and Shelton feels both are improved. Bolstering the pitching corps is freshman McArthur, who may make an immediate impact. “The pitching depth we have compares to the team back in 1983 when we made it to the CIF semifinals,” Shelton said. Although Boroughs, who hit .204, and Trollinger, who hit .189, are the top hitters back from last season, Shelton said the pitching and defense will carry the Spartans. “I think we’ll hold some teams scoreless, and we may play some extra-inning games. But good teams do that, so hopefully that means we’ll be a good team.”