AMERICAN LEGION: SAUGUS LIGHTING UP SCOREBOARD : LEGION TEAM SCORES 21 RUNS IN VICTORY OVER QUARTZ HILL AFTER TRAILING EARLY.

Byline: Dave Desmond Daily News Staff Writer

Gentlemen, start your scorebooks.

Last weekend, the Saugus and Quartz Hill American Legion teams combined for a scorekeeper's nightmare and a hitter's dream.

Saugus won the game 21-11 after trailing host Quartz Hill 7-0.

``It was pretty wild,'' Saugus coach Doug Worley said.

Saugus, which carries a handful of graduated seniors, also has relied on several untested younger players, and its 6-8 record reflects that inexperience.

Offense was not a problem for Saugus last week, however.

The team beat Van Nuys South 9-2 on Thursday, then banged out 18 hits in Sunday's victory.

Chris Mayberry, a graduated senior third baseman, had the most noteworthy hit, a tape-measure solo homer that not only cleared the fence, but also the highway beyond the fence.

``That ball was absolutely creamed,'' Worley said. ``That may have been the farthest I've seen a ball hit.''

Jeff Mayberry, Chris' younger brother, also had a unique day.

Jeff Mayberry, who could make Saugus' varsity team next year as a sophomore first baseman after a standout season at the freshman level, reached base in each of his six plate appearances.

He was 1 for 1 with four walks and a hit by pitch.

Scheduling shuffle: Saugus will play an unusual doubleheader Saturday.

The team will host Antelope Valley South in an 11 a.m. game, then travel to Valencia for a 3 p.m. game.

The contest with Valencia was originally scheduled for last week but postponed because of Saugus' graduation.

``I hope they use all their pitching in the morning game,'' said Valencia coach Pat Downs, whose team will host Agoura Hills in a morning game Saturday.

Saugus' scheduled game for today against San Fernando was moved back to Wednesday at the request of San Fernando.

A Valencia plum? Downs' Valencia club entered the week at a surprising 9-5, thanks in part to solid pitching and the unexpected key contributions of two unheralded players.

Valencia received complete-game efforts by starting pitchers John Kelley and Chris Northway in its only two games last week.

Kelley struck out seven in a three-hitter as Valencia beat North Hollywood West 5-0, lowering his ERA to 1.14.

Northway, who didn't pitch for Valencia High School during the spring, tossed a five-hitter and struck out eight in a 5-1 victory over San Fernando.

The most welcome surprise, however, has been the performance of right fielder Ricky Zeller and shortstop Sean Silveri.

Zeller, expected to play varsity baseball, soccer and football as a junior next year, entered the week batting .457 (16 for 35) with a home run and 10 RBI.

``He's been really important to us,'' Downs said. ``Every time you look up, he's getting on base.''

Silveri, a senior-to-be, is batting .379 and has been a defensive standout in the middle infield.

Umps AWOL: Newhall-Saugus' recent game with Verdugo Hills was missing one major component: umpires.

The teams agreed to play the game anyway, and Newhall-Saugus came away with the victory.

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Photo

Photo: Third baseman Chris Mayberry, a graduated senior, has been an intimidating figure in the lineup of Saugus' American Legion team.

John Lazar / Special to the Daily News