SOFTBALL PREVIEW: T.O. TALENT EARLY BLOOMING LANCERS ARE BACK - AND BETTER.

Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Staff Writer

For Thousand Oaks High, last season was a case of a softball team arriving a year ahead of schedule. The Lancers advanced to the Southern Section Division I semifinals despite a lineup featuring mostly underclassmen.

This year, the Lancers should be right on time, boasting a deep, talented club that will challenge for the Marmonte League title and the Southern Section Division II championship.

Thousand Oaks' surprising climb to the division semifinals, where they lost to eventual champion Mater Dei, provides an interesting prelude to this season. The Lancers, a year better, are poised for even bigger things.

There might be teams with superior talent at one or two positions, but from top to bottom, there isn't a club in the area that rivals Thousand Oaks, which returns eight starters, including All-Southern Section selection Sheridan Fowler and All-Marmonte League players Nicole Angelo, Michelle Spencer and Shawna Lane.

``The nice thing is that we're a solid team in a lot of areas,'' said Thousand Oaks coach Gary Walin. ``Defensively, pitching. We hit well. It's just a real good mix.''

Besides having eight starters back, Thousand Oaks also welcomes key transfer Jenni Perez, a junior catcher from Moorpark High. Her arrival creates a domino effect, allowing Walin to reshuffle the Lancers lineup.

Spencer, last year's catcher, moves to second base, where she and shortstop Jenni Cochran give Thousand Oaks a speedy, athletic middle infield. Fowler, who probably won't pitch this year because of a sore arm, will play exclusively at third base.

``It's a very athletic infield and we've certainly excited about what we have up the middle,'' Walin said.

That includes center field, where speedy Andi Keesling chases down fly balls and line drives. She is completely healthy after tweaking her ankle.

``We're expecting a big year from her,'' Walin said.

With Fowler likely out as a pitcher, those duties will go to Nicole Angelo, who finished 12-3 last year. Angelo is a smart, gutsy pitcher who gets by on guile.

Offensively, the Lancers have speed and power. Fowler hit .381 a year ago, and Lane and Keesling both hit over .300.

Perez, in addition to her defensive ability, also hit .286 with the Musketeers while earning All-League honors.

There are no shortage of roadblocks standing in Thousand Oaks' way in the Marmonte League, where Westlake, Newbury Park and Simi Valley can all challenge for the title. And there's always a sleeper lurking in the talented league.

``I think the team to keep an eye on is Moorpark,'' Walin said. ``I really liked what I saw toward the end of last season.

``But it's going to be a typical Marmonte League season where we pound on each other all year, It will be interesting, that's for sure.''

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo: (1) Thousand Oaks starters, left to right in front: Sheridan Fowler, Nicole Angelo, Michelle Spencer, Shawna Lane, Jenny Cochran; back: Andi Keesling, Joey McKewan, Shannon Teverbaugh and Jenni Perez.

(2) All-Southern Section selection Sheridan Fowler, who doesn't fire to pitch this season because of a sore arm, is expected to play exclusively at third base.

Gus Ruelas/Staff Photographer