Spartans have four Division I players in Horner, Cox, O'Leary and Edwards. (Photo by Anne Cypress)
A new season is upon us with excitement on all parts of the Valley.
Huge change to possibly help the batter with the circle moving back three feet from the 40 foot mark.
La Canada enters as the favorite for the Rio Hondo League title returning a stellar pitching staff in Lauren O’Leary and Lauren Cox. Add Northwestern bound shortstop Anna Edwards and catcher Catherine Horner and the Spartans look like early favorites to head deep in any early season tournaments.
It will definitely help La Canada that all four are Division I bound with O’Leary heading to Georgetown, Cox to USD and Horner to Tulsa.
Pitching will always be key for any postseason contender, but don’t rule out hot hitting down the stretch. Just ask the Lancers which received a double dose of pitching and hitting in the finals win.
- La Canada (0-0) – As mentioned earlier, top to bottom the most talented team in the area.
- Bonita (0-0) – Loss of Chloe Wurst hurts, but addition of U of W commit Courtney Gano will help offensively.
- Village Christian (0-0) – If not for having to face Courtney McGee thrice, Crusaders might have been in the finals with Emily Siedel.
- South Hills (0-0) – Knocked off the Spartans to reach the finals in Division 5A. Potent offense will be tough to stop.
- San Marino (0-0) – Biggest threat to La Canada with Michelle Floyd returning after a great freshman year.
- Arroyo (0-0) – Knights are this good, especially with Jackie Wagner in the circle.
- Schurr (0-0) – Monique Troncoza leads a young talented team for repeat Almont victory.
- Mayfair (0-0) – Team loses most of its punch from last season.
- Northview (0-0) – Name to remember for Vikings Erinn Jaramillo.
- Mayfield (0-0) – Cubs get some love from the Mid.
- Glendora (0-0) – Carly Argyle returns to lead the Tartans in the Baseline League.
- West Covina (0-0) – Bulldogs looking to put pressure on Bearcats for new Hacienda League title.
- Crescenta Valley (0-0) – Falcons look to Sydney House for power and Erin Ashby on the mound.
- La Salle (0-0) – No Allie Forillo, but team returns eight of nine starters from last season Division 6A championship team.
- San Dimas (0-0) – Saints lose pitcher Kortnie Clark. Return Aleena Avalos on the offensive side of the plate.
- Duarte (0-0) – High expectations in Falcon country with junior Kaysie Gatlin returning in the circle.
- California (0-0) – Condors will miss Ashley Beza’s ability to win games.
- Whittier Christian (0-0) – Division 5A champs don’t have its most effective weapon in Courtney McGee returning.
- Covina (0-0) – Molly Ross had her coming out party as a sophomore and had seven home runs.
- Azusa (0-0) – Aztecs look for Veronica Ramirez on the mound and at the plate.
- Burroughs (0-0) – Indians looking for back to back Pacific League titles.
- Keppel (0-0) – Much is expected from Alashanee Medina.
- Sierra Vista (0-0) – Lady Dons must have a good start to help confidence.
- Maranatha (0-0) – Tough road ahead for Minutemen which lost Annie Sommers before the season began.
- Charter Oak (0-0) – Young group of Chargers look to make a run for Sierra League title.
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