SMALL SCHOOLS

* Capistrano Valley Christian: 17-4-1, 6-1-1 in 1998. Coach: Terry Gaunt (sixth year, 41-58-1). Prospects: The Eagles came within a half game of tying Downey Calvary Chapel for the Academy League title. And they did it with a squad primarily of juniors and sophomores. No wonder Gaunt, with nine returning starters, feels this team could do special things. Among those back are league MVP and junior pitcher-first baseman Josh Emery (.430, three home runs, 30 RBIs), all-league junior pitcher Thomas Grove (5-1, 1.31) and all-league junior second baseman Josh Hall (.383, 20 steals).

* Fairmont: 0-12-1, 0-7-1 in 1998. Coach: Mark Alves (third year, 3-26-1). Prospects: It’s hard to decide whether to commend the Huskies, now in their fourth year of varsity, for continuing to play despite being outmanned and woefully inexperienced, or worry if the young egos can keep taking the lopsided defeats. No matter, Alves is not giving up. Not after seeing junior first baseman Mike Mount (.400), one of seven returning starters, make second-team all-league last year.

* Heritage Christian: 10-7, 5-3 in 1998. Coach: Don Harbert (first year). Prospects: Heritage is not accustomed to finishing second, as it did last year after winning three consecutive Express League titles. Harbert has a legacy to live up to, especially since that legacy--Tom Caffrey--is the athletic director. Among the seven returning players are senior outfielder Josiah Regalado (.440) and senior outfielder Eric Taurman (.350). Harbert has sons Joey, a junior first baseman, and Nick, a sophomore second baseman, on the roster.

* Liberty Christian: 6-10, 1-7 in 1998. Coach: Ray Clifton (15th year, 183-107). Prospects: Clifton knew that moving to the Express League (from the Academy League) might be difficult. But he did not expect it to be as hard as it was last season. But the seven returning starters, such as all-league senior outfielder C.J. Leeman (.522, 12 RBIs), should be better prepared this time. They may not win the league, but they should win more than one game.

* St. Margaret’s: 7-6-1, 3-3-1 in 1998. Coach: Todd Rogers (first year). Prospects: When Rogers took the job, he was told by others he probably had a third-place Academy League team. Rogers, who has five returning starters, wants the Tartans to think bigger than that. “I know we can surprise some teams,” he said. There are no surprises with senior second baseman Mike Narlinger (.400), senior catcher Alex Perrin (.350) and junior pitcher T.C. Geach; all were all-league last season. Rogers is also high on outfielder Ryan Birtcher. “He’s a great center fielder.”

* St. Michael’s: 5-8-1, 1-5-1 in 1998. Coach: Jonathan Barber (first year). Prospects: St. Michael’s and Fairmont are about the same age as baseball programs. But the Pioneers, fourth in the Academy League, are improving at a faster rate, and could have a shot at the playoffs this season. Eight starters return, including all-league senior catcher Fred Enciso and second-team senior infielder Jaime Munozcano.

* Southern California Christian: 6-15, 6-6 in 1998. Coach: Andy Newman (second year, 6-15). Prospects: The Flames did all their winning in league play, but no league team was good enough to catch Arrowhead champion LaVerne Lutheran. Newman gets back five starters, among them second-team all-league junior pitcher Corey Meyer and sophomore utility man Drew St. Clair (.311) This is still a young team with a difference. The freshmen and sophomores got varsity experience last season. In another year, this could be a fun team to watch.