8 TEAMS QUALIFY FOR TOURNEY : LOCAL GIRLS CONTENDING FOR SOFTBALL TITLES.

Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Daily News Staff Writer

Eight area Bobbysox softball teams are competing in the national championship tournament in Moreno Valley this weekend.

The five-day tournament began Thursday and will conclude Tuesday.

Four teams qualified for the tournament from the Newbury Park Bobbysox League - one team from each of four divisions: the Bobbysox AA (girls 8 and 9), the Bobbysox AAA (10 and 11), the American Girl AA (12 and 13) and the American Girl AAA (15 and younger).

Three teams qualified from Simi-Moorpark - one each from the Bobbysox AA, the Bobbysox AAA and the American Girl AAA. Thousand Oaks sent a team from the Bobbysox AA.

``The mood of the team is real upbeat right now,'' said Mike Horan, who coaches the Newbury Park Bobbysox AA team. ``The girls are excited to play. They think they've got a really good shot at winning.''

Lou Fiore, who coaches the Newbury Park American Girl AA team, agreed.

``The girls are excited,'' he said. ``This is a great opportunity for them. They've worked hard, and they're looking forward to playing.''

Each team in the nationals qualified last month during a district tournament in Newbury Park.

Horan's team is led by four solid pitchers. Having so many top pitchers is expected to work to Newbury Park's advantage. Horan will be able to bring in a relatively fresh arm as the tournament progresses.

``That's been the strength of this team,'' Horan said. ``They're tuned up and ready to go.''

The four pitchers are Lauren Horan, Lindsay Cunningham, Kacey Garziano and Emily Robinson.

Horan isn't too concerned about the other teams in his division. He is worried about the heat, however, expected to top 100 degrees.

``The air quality out there is not good at all,'' said Horan, who was mulling the idea of taking his team to Moreno Valley for practice sessions.

Other players who have stood out on the team this year include Caitlin Bailey, Brittany Qualls, Andi Petsco, Danielle Spangler and Aylssa Cerrotta.

``They can't wait to get on the field,'' Horan said. ``For all of these kids, this is the first time they've been involved in a . . . national championship. We've traveled around for the last six months playing in tournaments to get this chance.''

Newbury Park is sending its first team in the American Girls AA division. The team took fourth place in the qualifying tournament at Borchard Park last month, beating Thousand Oaks on the final day.

``We didn't know quite what to expect,'' Fiore said. ``We added this new division, which means we dispersed the talent a little more than normal. We're a young team so we were unsure how we would do.''

Fiore said his team had to adjust to the talent level of other clubs.

``As a coach, I expected it to be that way,'' he said. ``But I think the girls were somewhat surprised the talent level was as high as it was.''

The team has been led by pitchers Sammy Samoyloff and Aimee Fiore. The hitting star has been Aubrey Mauricio.

``If we can get a little luck and some breaks, we'll be right there,'' Fiore said.

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Photo

Photo: Pitcher Robyn Wike winds up for Newbury Park's Bobby sox AAA team that is a national title contender.

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