CORNELISON: OUT OF SICK BED TO BE HERO : SAUGUS 3, LA SERNA 0.

Byline: Brian Dalziel Daily News Staff Writer

Kelly Cornelison was bedridden Monday and missed school and softball practice. On Tuesday, the Saugus High junior center fielder didn't feel any better, but there was no way coach Ron Hilton was going to keep her out of the lineup.

Good thing.

Cornelison snapped a scoreless tie with a bases-loaded double in the sixth, scoring three runs and lifting Saugus to a 3-0 win over visiting La Serna in the second round of the Southern Section Division II playoffs.

``She's a three-year starter and I knew she'd be ready,'' said Hilton, whose team improved to 18-9-1 and will face either top-seeded El Dorado or Moreno Valley in the quarterfinals Thursday.

``She looked awful at (Tuesday morning) brunch. But I only needed one hit out of her.''

And Cornelison got it.

The right-handed hitting Cornelison worked a full count against La Serna right-hander Karla Rivera (18-7), who retired 15 of the first 16 batters and struck out eight straight during that stretch. But Rivera, a rise-ball pitcher, didn't get a fastball up enough and Cornelison hit a line drive to left-center field, scoring Allie Walling, Julie Watson and Sandy Volk.

``I took (the at-bat) as a challenge,'' Cornelison said. ``(I was thinking) it's my turn to help out the team. I was feeling achy and sweaty (Tuesday) and I couldn't get out of bed Monday.

``I brought a pillow (Tuesday) and slept in my classes. (My teachers) didn't say anything because they knew (about the game).''

La Serna (21-7) had its chances to score. The Lancers managed to load the bases with one out in the third inning against Saugus starter Corrie Atwood. But right-hander Christina Gillman (8-3) came in, getting two straight ground outs - the second out coming on third baseman Watson's throw to catcher Brittany Benike for a forceout at the plate.

Watson's throw to first baseman Elizabeth Harkins ended La Serna's scoring chances.

La Serna threatened in the fifth with a runner on second and one out but left her stranded.

``I was really pleased with the defense,'' Hilton said. ``We made a couple mistakes, but they really played well.''

Saugus had trouble hitting Rivera as she retired eight of the first nine batters on strikeouts. But Watson was able to snap the string, sneaking a slap single past the glove of shortstop Stacy Oliver to open the fourth inning. Volk followed with a sacrifice bunt to move Watson to second. Rivera, though, regained her composure and got Cornelison to line out to third baseman Jamie Lawrence and struck out Jennifer McLarty.

Rivera finished with nine strikeouts and gave up just four hits.

``She's a very talented young lady,'' Hilton said of Rivera. ``But with dominating pitchers, you have to hang around long enough to wear them down and we shortened up a bit on our swing and started putting the ball in play.''