Modesto Christian lived up to its top-seeded ranking in the Division IV girls basketball playoff opener at Orestimba’s expense last Tuesday.

The Lady Warriors, coming into post season-play as the No. 16 seed, found themselves in trouble early and never recovered as the Crusaders posted a 72-29 win to end Orestimba’s season.

Modesto Christian forced the Lady Warriors into early mistakes while taking control with a 23-5 first-quarter run.

“They pressed a lot in the beginning, and we had some trouble with it,” Coach Scott Felber commented. “We made some mistakes, which they force other teams into, but we also did some good things.”

The 2010 baseball Warriors should be solid on the mound, but question marks remain about their defense and whether Orestimba will have enough punch at the plate to put together a successful season.

Coach Louie Dominguez said he will look to returning seniors Michael Pargaz, Luke Pasco and Alec Santos for leadership on the field.

“The guys we lost from last year, like Craig Beevers and Jack Escobar, are going to be tough to replace,” Dominguez reflected. “The seniors coming back are going to have to carry us as far as they can.”

Pargaz will be the leader of the pitching staff.

Orestimba’s Lady Warriors will pin their hopes for softball success in 2010 on a mix of senior leadership and young talent.

The Lady Warriors in some regards are building for the future as they field a roster loaded with underclassmen - but the present offers the potential for success as well.

With four freshmen and four sophomores (including two returning varsity players), Orestimba will field an inexperienced club for first-year head coach Ralph Santos, but one that is deep in potential and athletic ability.

The underclassmen will look to a trio of returning seniors - Carlee Felber, Sarelle Edwards and Kristin Moore - for leadership, Santos told Mattos Newspapers.