ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER MIRANDA LEADS ROLLING CAMARILLO INTO DIV. I PLAYOFFS.Byline: Chris Cocoles Staff Writer CAMARILLO - Cambria Miranda's softball softball, variant of baseball played with a larger ball on a smaller field. Invented (1888) in Chicago as an indoor game, it was at various times called indoor baseball, mush ball, playground ball, kitten ball, and, because it was also played by women, ladies' coach said his star player isn't a big talker. Of course, the Scorpions aren't known as big cheerleaders Notable cheerleaders
That's because they are a product of their head coach, Jack Willard. Under Willard, Camarillo is again among the area's top teams as the Pacific View League champion Scorpions (21-6) head into the Southern Section Div. I playoffs this week. ``On the field I'm more serious,'' Miranda said. ``I try to keep everyone focused on the game.'' That's been one of the easiest aspects of Willard's job. ``We're not very loud. I'm not very loud,'' Willard said. ``I don't think I've injected in·ject·ed adj. 1. Of or relating to a substance introduced into the body. 2. Of or relating to a blood vessel that is visibly distended with blood. injected 1. introduced by injection. 2. congested. that into them. I just think it's a group of girls that doesn't like to do all the cheering. And I don't really care as long as they come prepared to play.'' Miranda rarely steps onto the diamond at Camarillo without her ``A'' game. Her father used to make regular trips with her to the batting cages Noun 1. batting cage - a movable screen placed behind home base to catch balls during batting practice cage baseball equipment - equipment used in playing baseball when she was younger. Now while hitting almost .500 entering the postseason, the extra cuts worked into her schedule were a boon Boon A general term that refers to a benefit or improvement for investors. This can include such things as increased dividends, a stock market rally and stock buybacks. Notes: . ``She practices more than anybody on the team,'' junior pitcher Sarah Dorr said. Miranda hits for average but also has some pop, leading the region in doubles and hitting four home runs. She's also developed into a respectable fielding shortstop. Miranda started last season at second base but moved to shortstop, where she complemented senior third baseman third baseman n. Baseball The infielder stationed near third base. Noun 1. third baseman - (baseball) the person who plays third base third sacker Beth Boskovich. ``She was a big leader,'' Miranda said of Boskovich, now playing at Oregon. Several Camarillo players have stepped into the leadership role Boskovich handled throughout her career. But Camarillo has the ingredients to make a deep run in the Div. I playoffs. The Scorpions reached the quarterfinals in 2002 and loaded its nonleague schedule with heavyweights such as Westlake, Valencia and Saugus. Throughout the season, Miranda has been the team's choice in the clutch. ``It means that your teammates can count on you,'' Willard said. ``It doesn't mean (Miranda's) going to hit an eight-run home run every time. But ... your teammates feel comfortable that you're going to make the play. And the majority of the time she does make the play.'' And she keeps getting better. Willard sees it with every practice. Miranda also plays on Camarillo's girls' golf team in the fall. But when she has free time, she won't be found playing 18 holes. She'd much rather have someone hit ground balls to her or hit the batting cages. ``I just want to keep playing on,'' she said. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Camarillo's Cambria Miranda is one of the region's top hitters, batting Batting has several meanings:
Michael Owen
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