Prep Blog

• St. Mary's-Stockton (23-4): South teams have not fared well in this division, last winning in 1994 (Grace Davis-Modesto). Senior pitcher Randee Hindman (18-2, 0.77 ERA) leads the Rams.

• Davis (19-5): Led by Haley Cameron (.476), Rita Allen-Suter (.431) and Megan Winton (.415), the Delta Valley Conference champs are batting .363 and have scored 247 runs.

DIVISION II

FAVORITE

• Del Oro (19-4-2): Four-year varsity players Jordan Courage (17-3, 1.01 ERA), Whitney Smith (.440, six HRs) and designated hitter Hannah George (.391) go for a section title before leaving for college.

CONTENDERS

• Casa Roble (16-4): The Rams seek a repeat behind junior Kaitlyn Garcia (pitched every inning) and sophomore Krystal Aubert (.508, 27 RBIs), the co-Capital Athletic League MVPs.

• Woodcreek (21-4): The Sierra Foothill League runner-up is led by senior captain Paige Davis and junior pitchers Amanda Horbasch (11-4, 0.79 ERA) and Lexi Wilkerson (9-0, 1.00 ERA).

• Roseville (17-7-1): With wins over Del Oro and Woodcreek in league play, the Tigers are a threat.

• Rosemont (19-7): Villanova-bound Aleshia Ayers (.518 average, 32 RBIs, 26 stolen bases; 9-4, 1.42 ERA) gives the Wolverines a shot.

DIVISION III

FAVORITE

• Benicia (21-5): The Panthers won competitive Solano County Athletic Conference title, ending defending section champ Rodriguez's 43-game league winning streak.

CONTENDERS

• Bear River (16-5-2): The senior-dominated Bruins hope to send coach Duane Zauner into retirement with a D-III title after winning four in D-IV.

• Pioneer (16-3-1): UC Riverside signee Brittanie Akey (.381; 15-2, 1.97 ERA) is the focal point for Tri-County Conference champs.

• Whitney (17-9): The Wildcats look to make another appearance in the section title game, which they lost in 2011 to Rodriguez-Fairfield.

DIVISION IV

FAVORITE

• Oakdale (22-2-1): The Valley Oak League champions have been tough to beat behind strikeout ace Shelby Reali.

CONTENDERS

• Vista del Lago (18-4): The Eagles are led by four-year varsity players Catherine and Christina Guidry, Morgan Theis, Jessica Evans and Tayana Mata.

• Sierra (14-4-1): The Defending D-IV section champion Timberwolves finished third in the Valley Oak League, but still are dangerous with ace Allie Welljasper (226 strikeouts in 116 innings).

• Cosumnes Oaks (19-6-1): Malia Roberts, Briana Pamplona and Saint Mary's-bound Taylor McClanahan have combined for 81 RBIs.

DIVISION V

Hughson (23-1):Junior pitcher Katelyn Harden (21-1, 0.28) and freshmen infielders Jessica Garcia, Mackenzie Babbitt and Taylor Lutz (batting a combined .492 avg.) lead the Huskies.

Contenders

Marysville (22-4):All four losses for the Indians have come to state-ranked Hughson, Bee No. 2 Woodcreek (twice) and No. 3 Ponderosa.

Argonaut (20-6):Sophomore infielder and Cal verbal commit Kobie Pettis leads the Mother Lode League champs with a .688 batting average and five homers.

Linden (20-6): The Lions finished a game behind Argonaut in competitive Mother Lode League race.

DIVISION VI

Favorite

Mariposa County (17-7):The Grizzlies went undefeated in Southern League behind sisters Riyn (.380, 30 RBIs) and Shea Williams (.514, 18 RBIs).

Contenders

Le Grand (12-9):Having won four of five D-VI section championships since the division was formed in 2007, the Bulldogs have to be in the mix.

Golden Sierra (12-8):The Grizzlies won the Sierra Delta League co-championship and No. 1 playoff seed behind section batting leader Savannah Stephens (.711, 26 RBI), a sophomore.

Rio Vista (11-4):Sierra Delta League co-champs hit .441 as a team.

DIVISION VII

Favorite

Elliot Christian (18-2): Eagles of Lodi are looking for their fifth consecutive D-VII section title behind St. Mary's College signee Erica Musgrave (.623).

Contender

Millennium (11-4):The Central California Athletic Alliance co-champions from Tracy also were section runners-up to the Eagles last season.

Buckingham Charter (11-5): Sabrina Joseph (.612, 25 RBIs) and Libby Purtill (.545, 34 RBIs) lead the Sacramento Metro Athletic League champs from Vacaville.