CHAMINADE'S LECOCQ COOKS; SHE NO-HITS RIVAL ALEMANY IN MISSION LEAGUE OPENER : CHAMINADE 2, ALEMANY 0.

Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Daily News Staff Writer

When Chaminade High's Maureen LeCocq walked to the pitcher's circle to start the second inning against Alemany on Wednesday, she probably thought the scoreboard overlooking left field was malfunctioning.

For the first time all year, LeCocq was working with an early two-run cushion. The way the Eagles have struggled to produce offense this season, their two runs represented an outburst of epic proportions.

Not that LeCocq forgot what to do with a lead. From the second inning on, she retired 18 of 19 batters to complete a no-hitter, handing Chaminade a crucial 2-0 Mission League win over Alemany in the process.

That it came in both team's league opener only underscored LeCocq's performance. The fact that it ended the Eagles' losing streak at five games and puts Chaminade (2-5-1, 1-0) a game up on its chief nemesis illustrates how timely it was.

``Mo showed what she's all about today,'' Eagles coach Steve Harrington said. ``We needed to have that and she came through.''

Alemany coach Dudley Rooney agreed.

``She overpowered us.'' Rooney said.

LeCocq, who had eight strikeouts and two walks, has pitched well all year, but everything she's done has been overshadowed by the Eagles' slow start. When you lose five of your first six games, that tends to happen.

The problem is a lack of offense, which Harrington hopes to mend by implementing a small-ball attack that relies on running, bunting and forcing opposing defenses to make plays. The new game plan is a work in progress, but the Eagles saw just how effective it can be in a two-run first inning.

With two outs, they put runners at first and third on a double by Erin Taylor and an error by Alemany's Rosalie Ramirez on Meghan Holbrook's grounder to third. Kaiulani Welch - who was pinch running for Taylor - scored the first run when Holbrook stole second base and shortstop Annette Ramirez dropped the ball trying to tag her out. Holbrook came around to score on Kim Diener's wild pitch.

Two runs, only one ball hit out of the infield. Little ball at it's best.

``What we want to do is get somebody to lean one way by putting runners in motion and putting the pressure on a defense,'' Harrington said. ``Make them make plays.''

The Indians (10-6, 0-1), usually an outstanding defensive team, mishandled two balls and it cost them the game despite the fact that Diener surrendered just four hits.

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Photo

PHOTO Chaminade softball players celebrate their victory over Alemany on Wednesday.

Tina Gerson/Daily News