`90 PERCENT OF THIS GAME IS HALF MENTAL': HART STAR'S A REAL CATCH CAITLIN STIGLICH PROVIDES INDIANS VERSATILITY, LEADERSHIP.

Byline: Gideon Rubin Special to the Daily News

NEWHALL - Caitlin Stiglich's propensity for spraying line drives to all fields and her ability to play nearly every position has attracted the attention of collegiate scouts.

But it is her ability to motivate her Hart High of Newhall softball teammates for which she takes the most pride.

``I like being able to keep people up,'' Stiglich said. ``I like my teammates to know that I have their back, and I like to know that they have my back.''

Stiglich, a junior in her third year as a varsity player, splits time between catcher and second base. She plays third base on the prestigious Orange County-based Batbusters club team, and her coaches say she can play any position except pitcher.

Stiglich's versatility and can-do attitude are pivotal for a talented but inexperienced Hart team that looks to sneak up on Foothill League favorites Valencia and Saugus in one of the Southern Section's most intensely competitive leagues.

Through seven games, Stiglich is batting .333 (7 for 21) with two extra-base hits and four RBIs.

To hear teammates and coaches tell it, she does countless little things that benefit her team. She is advanced in her development as a catcher, showing an impressive ability to communicate with pitchers, and is effective in the art of blocking the plate and keeping pitches in front of her. She is an excellent situational hitter, moving over runners when asked to and getting clutch hits.

``She's just a very fundamentally sound player,'' Hart coach Steve Calendo said. ``She'll do whatever you ask her to do. She'll fill a need wherever you put her.''

Her natural leadership ability is especially valuable for a Hart team that often starts as many as four freshmen.

``She's our glue,'' Hart junior infielder Paige Pointkowsky said. ``She's like one of our main leaders. She's always pushing us to do our best.''

Stiglich said her favorite position is catcher, which enables her to be involved in every play and contribute to the development of pitchers.

Stiglich's powerful throwing arm and a quick release, as well as the intangibles she brings, make her an attractive prospect. Her versatility makes her that much more valuable an asset.

``She's going to be sought after because she's an excellent catcher, but she's also a very sound infielder,'' Calendo said.

Calendo attributes her ability to play any position to her knowledge of the game. Her willingness to play multiple positions illustrates her dedication to her team, Pointkowsky said.

``It shows that she'll do anything to help the team at any time,'' Pointkowsky said. ``Whatever it takes, she'll do it.''

The only thing she won't do is pitch.

``I don't think (my teammates) would want me to,'' Stiglich said. ``I can be behind the batters or anywhere else on the field, but pitcher is just a little scary, because they get balls hit at them going so hard. I have great respect for pitchers.''

Stiglich is hoping to play at a four-year school in the Big West Conference and is considering Cal State Northridge and UC Santa Barbara because she wants to stay close to home. She plans to major in a science-related field, possibly biology, and could go pursue a career in anything from forensics to marine biology.

Eventually, Stiglich will narrow her focus when faced with more significant life choices. For now, she enjoys her varied roles.

``I guess it's pretty easy for me to pick up on what each position has to do,'' Stiglich said. ``If I practice for a couple of days, I can usually pick up (a new position) pretty easily.''

Gideon Rubin, [phone]

gideon.rubin(at)dailynews.com

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Hart junior Caitlin Stiglich is a top catcher, but she also excels elsewhere on the softball field.

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer