BOYS: UNLUCKY CHARM HIGHLAND'S VELASCO IS ACE DESPITE 3-4 RECORD.Byline: Heather Gripp and Ramona Shelburne Ramona Shelburne is an American sports journalist currently writing for the Los Angeles Daily News. Shelburne was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She attended El Camino Real High School in Woodland Hills, California where she was a class valedictorian. Staff Writer PALMDALE - Looking at Chris Velasco's record could give the impression that the Highland High pitcher is having a bad season. But that couldn't be further from the truth. About the only thing bad about Velasco's season has been his luck. Velasco is 3-4 but has thrown a no-hitter and two two-hitters while keeping the Bulldogs in contention for the Golden League title. ``He's been exceptional this year,'' Highland coach Mike Van Cheri said. ``I think he's one of the best pitchers in the league. Actually, I know he is.'' A game Wednesday against Quartz Hill, a showdown for first place, was typical of Velasco's luck. He allowed just five hits and struck out 10 to keep the Bulldogs in the game against Quartz Hill ace Matt Ware Matthew Jesse Ware (born December 2, 1982 in Santa Monica, California) is currently an American football defensive back in the NFL for the Arizona Cardinals. He was waived by the Philadelphia Eagles on September 2, 2006 and picked up by the Cardinals. - who finished with 14 strikeouts - through seven shutout innings INNINGS, estates. Lands gained from the sea by draining. Cunn. L. Dict. h. t.; Law of Sewers, 31. , but the Rebels won 2-0 in the eighth. Velasco also lost a league-opening shutout against Quartz Hill. ``He's really coming into his own this year,'' Van Cheri said. ``If he keeps as hot as he is, he's going to make a name for himself.'' Velasco started making his way into the spotlight right away. He threw a no-hitter in the season opener against Taft of Woodland Hills. ``That gave me a lot of confidence knowing that we can compete,'' Velasco said of the no-hitter that is believed to be the program's first. ``It's probably my No. 1 (highlight). That's the best feeling in the world to go out and be in control like that.'' Just being able to play again is also a pretty good feeling for Velasco. He missed the second half of last season because he was academically ineligible in·el·i·gi·ble adj. 1. Disqualified by law, rule, or provision: ineligible to run for office; ineligible for health benefits. 2. . ``I was more dedicated this year,'' Velasco said. ``I knew I had to get it done in the classroom. I was dedicated to making this a good year. ``Last year, it was really tough on me. Baseball's my life. To sit on the bleachers and watch my teammates out there playing, it was the hardest thing. ... ``I knew this was going to be a good year because I worked really hard to get ready since the summer.'' With all his pitches working well, Velasco's focus is on improving his velocity. He has never been clocked and doesn't want to be to avoid the pressure or possible disappointment of knowing. He has received little interest from colleges, but Van Cheri said he believes Velasco could succeed there. ``My goal's always been to make it higher,'' Velasco said. ``My goal as a freshman was to get to varsity. When I got to varsity, I wanted to get to college. And if I make it to college, I want to try to get to the next level.'' Just as high on his list of goals is getting a league title for the Bulldogs. ``I'll just do whatever I can to help the team,'' Velasco said. ``It's not all about me, it's about the team and us winning.'' Heather Gripp, (818) 713-3607 heather.gripp(at)dailynews.com GIRLS: NECESSITY FOR VERSATILITY Doepking is catcher, but she plays shortstop for Highland University of Tennessee The University of Tennessee (UT), sometimes called the University of Tennessee at Knoxville (UT Knoxville or UTK), is the flagship institution of the statewide land-grant University of Tennessee public university system in the American state of Tennessee. freshman Monica Abbott was one of the nation's most sought-after pitchers last season. She averaged more than 300 strikeouts a season at North Salinas Salinas, city, United States Salinas (səlē`nəs), city (1990 pop. 108,777), seat of Monterey co., W Calif.; inc. 1874. It is the shipping and processing center of a fertile valley famous for its grain and lettuce. High and was one of the top pitchers for the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. junior national team this fall. But as with all top pitchers, so much of their success is dependent on having a good catcher. And this summer, Highland High's Shannon Doepking was recruited to be that catcher. It was a high compliment to Doepking, but it might have sounded a little strange to those who haven't followed her career closely. At Highland, Doepking is a shortstop, probably the best in the Golden League. ``When Doepking took over at short, it made everything work and made that infield Infield is a widely used term in sports terminology, its meaning depends on in what sport it is used. In baseball In baseball the baseball diamond plus a rounded region beyond it (see diagram), usually clear of grass, in contrast to the more distant, usually grass-covered so cohesive cohesive, n the capability to cohere or stick together to form a mass. ,'' Highland coach Dan Morrow mor·row n. 1. The following day: resolved to set out on the morrow. 2. The time immediately subsequent to a particular event. 3. Archaic The morning. said. ``She's got a rocket arm. I've seen her go toward third, make a backhand play, stop, and the girl's three steps from the base, but Shannon still gets her out. If you're not two steps from the base when she throws, you're out.'' Doepking made the switch from catcher in the middle of last season, when Highland's infield struggled with errors. Almost immediately, the problems ended and Highland won its final five regular-season games to qualify for the playoffs. This season, Doepking has been solid on routine plays and spectacular on others. In an 8-0 victory Tuesday over Quartz Hill, Doepking made a diving A DIV Associate of Divinity catch and saved two runs on a line drive hit up the middle. ``That was a Shannon play,'' Morrow said. ``She's special. She's had about seven of those highlight quality plays this season.'' At the plate, Doepking is having her finest season yet. She's batting .393 with a slugging percentage In baseball statistics, slugging percentage (abbreviated SLG) is the most popular measure of the power of a hitter. It is calculated as total bases divided by at bats: of .679. But perhaps most impressive is her on-base percentage of .575 because Doepking has more walks (12) than hits (11). Her success and leadership have propelled Highland to the best start in school history. The Bulldogs have finished second at two prestigious tournaments and look to be the favorites in the Golden League. ``It means so much that we're doing well in my senior year,'' Doepking said. ``I think (Highland's success) has shocked a lot of people, but we didn't really get anyone new. We all just started playing well and up to our potential.'' Ramona Shelburne, (818) 713-3617 ramona.shelburne(at)dailynews.com BOYS: GAME OF THE WEEK Highland at Quartz Hill, 3:15 p.m. today Quartz Hill regained sole possession of first place in the Golden League by defeating Highland 2-0 in eight innings Wednesday, but the Bulldogs get a chance to regain a share of the lead in their final regular-season meeting with the two-time defending league champions. Highland has been shut out twice by the Rebels this season. Other games today: Antelope Valley This article is about the Los Angeles County region. For the census-designated place in Wyoming, see Antelope Valley-Crestview, Wyoming. The Antelope Valley at Palmdale. 3:15 p.m.; Lacerne Valley at Desert Christian, 3:15 p.m.; Littlerock at Lancaster, 3:15 p.m.; Paraclete at Montclair Prep, 3:15 p.m. GIRLS: GAME OF THE WEEK Palmdale at Lancaster, Thursday, 3:15 p.m. It's never too early to start thinking about the playoffs. and this could be a critical game with Lancaster and Palmdale vying vy·ing v. Present participle of vie. vying vie for a playoff play·off also play-off n. Sports 1. A final game or series of games played to break a tie. 2. A series of games played to determine a championship. Noun 1. berth. Palmdale's Ashley Thomas Ashley Thomas is the name of a fictional character in ITV's soap opera Emmerdale. He is played by John Middleton. About Ashley The character Ashley Thomas is vicar of Emmerdale. is having a solid season at the plate and in the circle, and Johanna Ilejay has proven to be a dangerous hitter. Lancaster, which finished third last season, seems poised for another playoff run despite losing several key players to graduation Graduation is the action of receiving or conferring an academic degree or the associated ceremony. The date of event is often called degree day. The event itself is also called commencement, convocation or invocation. . CAPTION(S): 2 photos, 7 boxes Photo: (1) Highland's Chris Velasco has thrown a no-hitter, in the season opener against Taft, and two two-hitters while keeping the Bulldogs in contention for the Golden League title. (2) Highland'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' team is led by, from left, Bridgette Morales, Lauren Tantlinger, Shannon Doepking and Breanna Morales. Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer Box: (1) BOYS: GAME OF THE WEEK (see text) (2) GIRLS: GAME OF THE WEEK (see text) (3) COMING UP (4) BOYS: LOOK BACK (5) GIRLS: LOOK BACK (6) STANDINGS (7) TIME OUT |
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