CLU BEAT CLU PAIR A BIG HIT NEWCOMERS SHOW THEIR STUFF.

Byline: Heather Gripp Staff Writer

THOUSAND OAKS - Jennifer Lemons and Erin Neuhaus didn't take long to get their first hits as members of the Cal Lutheran softball team.

This weekend, the two newcomers to the Regals pitching staff try to get their first wins. CLU plays a doubleheader at Cal Baptist on Saturday starting at noon.

The Regals opened their season last weekend against Vanguard. Lemons pitched a complete game and allowed just one earned run, but the visiting Lions won the first game 7-6 in eight innings with the international tiebreaker rule in effect.

Neuhaus went the distance after relieving starter Carrie Hardy with one out in the first inning of the second game, but Hardy's lack of control had already done enough damage. Vanguard scored five runs in the first and had an 8-0 lead in the second when Neuhaus gave up three more runs.

Since last season's ace Kathy Proffitt was a senior and Melissa Eichenberger and Christine Halcomb did not return for their senior seasons, Lemons and Neuhaus are counted on to fill one of the few voids on the team with seven returning starters.

``I'm excited about both of them,'' Regals coach Jodi Eyraud said. ``They can both start and should help us lot.''

Lemons, who also plays first base, is a junior transfer from West Hills Community College. Her aggressiveness and control make up for average speed. Neuhaus is a freshman from Santana High in Santee and can also play outfield.

Offense was the area in which Eyraud said she felt most confident about her team because, ``we have all our big hitters returning,'' but the two newcomers ended up being the biggest hitters, too.

Neuhaus, the leadoff batter, and Lemons each singled in the first game and were the only Regals with multiple hits in the second. Lemons went 3 for 4 in the second game to finish with a team-high four hits for the day.

With players returning such as senior third baseman Mandi Comer, who led the team with a .408 average and is five doubles shy of the school record, CLU anticipates a productive offense. Julie Gerughty, Stephanie Cain and Emily Marquad are also back after hitting better than .300 for last season's Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference runner-up.

Having the entire starting infield back and a better understanding of their second-year coach's system gives the Regals more unity than a year ago and has them aiming high in the SCIAC.

CLU begins conference play Feb 19 against Whittier. Defending champion Claremont is again expected to provide the toughest challenge. This is the first season the SCIAC champion receives an automatic playoff berth.

``We're feeling pretty confident,'' Eyraud said.

--Back in action: The Kingsmen baseball team, which has been off since opening the season with a doubleheader sweep of Simpson on Jan. 28, starts SCIAC play Friday at home against Claremont. CLU travels to Claremont on Saturday, then plays two nonconference games against Division III power Chapman on Tuesday and Wednesday.

--Last chance: The Regals basketball team plays its final home game of the regular season Tuesday. CLU (15-5, 8-0), which has won 10 games in a row, hosts La Verne.

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Photo: Kylie Gongola and Cal Lutheran are ready for another strong season.

Evan Yee/Staff Photographer