CHALK UP ONE FOR THE GIRLS; ALL-STARS BEAT TEAM WITH BOYS.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer

Boy oh boy, what a softball victory.

The Antelope Valley-based District 51 All-Stars, an all-girl 18-and-under team, trounced Albuquerque, N.M. - featuring five boys - 12-2 in the Western Regional Big League playoff opener Sunday night at Dominic Massari Park.

Defending World Series finalist District 51 (1-0) meets the Garden Grove-Stockton winner tonight at 7:30 at the same site in the second round of the five-team, double-elimination tournament that ends on Thursday.

``Going in, I was unsure what to expect,'' said pitcher Marciea Ball, who held Albuquerque to seven hits and no earned runs with eight strikeouts. ``I just went out there to win.

``We decided to just treat the boys like they were big girls.''

Ball, a right-hander who was 4-5 with a 4.00 ERA as a Lancaster High senior last spring, used a commanding fastball to overpower Albuquerque. The five boys - Eric Gallegos, Matt Wright, Joe Gonzales, Robert Sellers and Mike Sutton - were a combined 5 for 10.

Shortstop Heather Nix gave Ball credit but criticized the boys for participating.

``They didn't do too well against Marciea,'' Nix said. ``Obviously, they don't have enough talent to play baseball so they had to play with us.''

Actually, Albuquerque shortstop Gonzales, who was 1 for 2 with an RBI and two intentional walks, was a standout baseball player at Albuquerque West Mesa High. He said he was an All-District selection after hitting three home runs.

``I wanted to play softball just for fun,'' Gonzales said. ``I don't know what happened tonight. We just weren't focused.''

Albuquerque committed five infield errors. Right-hander Whitney Wells (3-1) took the loss, allowing five runs, all earned, on five hits and three walks in three innings.

The front page of a local newspaper previewed the game with the headline ``Battle of the sexes?'' However, District 51 manager Ray Beltrami said he tried to down play the boys-versus-girls angle.

``We talked about it to the players before the game,'' Beltrami said, ``but I just wanted our girls to focus on what we had to do. We did very well.''

Left-fielder Tara Jensen, who also played at Lancaster High as a junior, went 1 for 1 with two RBI and two runs.

``It was kind of weird and it was kind of strange, but their team having boys really didn't bother me,'' Jensen said. ``It was great every time one of the boys made an error or struck out because we were trying to prove a point. I think we have a really good team.''

The locals are attempting to qualify for the World Series in Kalamazoo, Mich., for the third time in four years. They won the national championship in 1996.

After falling behind 1-0 in the first inning against Albuquerque, District 51 answered with four runs. Sara Moore of Quartz Hill pulled a two-run double and Melanie Aguilar, from Littlerock, hit a two-run single.

Keri Pulcifer of Highland added a run-scoring single in the second inning. She was 2 for 3 with a double and two RBI. Palmdale's Monique Saldana was 1 for 3 with a double and three runs. Vanessa Gallegos of Palmdale was 2 for 4 with two runs. Lauren McDonald, from Paraclete, was 1 for 2 with two RBI.

About tonight: Right-hander Jennifer Jenkins, who returns to Boron in the fall, is the scheduled starter for District 51. Jenkins went 24-1 with a 0.20 ERA as a junior to lead Boron to the Southern Section Division VI final. This figures to be a good showcase for Jenkins, one of the most successful small-schools pitchers in California.

``Jennifer isn't as fast as some of our other pitchers but she's got great movement,'' Jensen said. ``She has these pitches that make batters either hit it on the ground or straight up. It's not like she's overpowering, but I think she'll do OK.''

Notes: Jensen, one of the Golden League's top returners, confirmed rumors she might transfer to Quartz Hill. ``I did look into it and I have my options open. I'll decide by Aug. 19,'' she said. ``A lot of the reason is because Quartz Hill gets better softball publicity, so it's only natural.''. . .

Saldana's double off the left-field wall in the second inning was impressive. Considering she faced a very stiff wind and the fence is much further than most high-school fields, the drive probably would have cleared the fence at Quartz Hill or Highland by more than 50 feet. . .

Gallegos showed impressive speed and a good arm in right field. She beat out two bunts, threw out Sara Huhta at home plate in the fifth inning and had Cindy Jaramillo nailed at second base - Nix dropped the ball trying to make the tag - after retrieving a long drive that sailed over Gallegos' head to the fence.