DAILY NEWS VICTORY SPRING CLASSIC: SOFTBALL: VERDUGO HILLS GETTING READY TOUGH SCHEDULE COULD HELP DONS BECOME SOLID CONTENDER.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer

The 8-8 softball record isn't flashy, certainly nothing like last year's 24-3 record. But Verdugo Hills High of Tujunga isn't about cosmetics anymore.

This year, the Dons decided they wanted to play the best competition because they were tired of being a nonfactor in the City Section playoffs, and so they've ambitiously scheduled elite nonleague opponents, and they've entered challenging tournaments.

The reformation continues at 11 a.m. today at the second annual Daily News Victory Spring Classic, when Verdugo Hills opens against annual power Chaminade of West Hills (4-5) at Hjelte Sports Center in Encino. A victory means the Dons will meet either longtime Rio Hondo League champion La Canada (6-3-1) or City Section power El Camino Real of Woodland Hills (7-2) in the second round at 1:30 p.m.

The tournament, which concludes next Saturday at the same site, also includes such honored programs as Crescenta Valley (10-1), Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks (6-3), Westlake (8-3-1) and Harvard-Westlake of Studio City (8-4).

This is Verdugo Hills' chance to prove it's more than a Sunset Six League bully. The Dons hope to make a name for themselves, verify a belief that they can beat quality opponents and nurture enough confidence to carry them into - and perhaps through - the City Championship playoffs.

``We want to play the best teams,'' said junior pitcher Jessica McGivney, putting things plain and simple. ``Yes, our record isn't as good, but we're looking toward the long-term.''

McGivney, a right-hander, is 4-3, which means she already has as many losses as last season, when she was 11-3 with a 1.19 ERA. But she hasn't been competing against a bunch of nobodies. In fact, she's thrown consecutive one-hitters in her past two starts - against Palmdale and Paraclete of Lancaster, respectively (and respectably).

Coach Darren FitzGerald believes eight losses at this point in the season isn't a disappointment, merely an eye-opener.

``It's not a big deal at all,'' FitzGerald said. ``We're playing against the competition we need to be playing against. I've won one playoff game in the three years I've been here, but I really feel like this is our year. We've got two very strong pitchers (senior right-hander Danielle Burch is the other) and we're right where we want to be.''

There is one kink in Verdugo Hills' plans, at least in terms of this particular tournament. Because of spring break, combined with an unexpected bus-driver strike which caused cancellations this week, the Dons haven't competed in 12 days. They can't afford to be affected by the layoff, because good teams will take advantage.

A look at today's other first-round matchups:

FIRST-ROUND MATCHUPS

--NOTRE DAME (6-3) vs. SAN FERNANDO (9-2), 9 a.m: San Fernando boasts hot freshman RHP Selena Salazar (5-2), who threw a two-hit shutout Monday against Sylmar. But she hasn't seen many hitters such as Notre Dame sluggers Katy Wilkins and Megan Hayes.

--NEWBURY PARK (6-10) vs. BIRMINGHAM (14-2), 11 a.m.: Newbury Park, coming on strong after an impressive showing at the Best of the West tournament in Santa Maria this week, has seen better competition and should be tough to beat if hard-throwing RHP Chrissy Zappia is on the mark. Birmingham of Van Nuys senior Melissa Santana is among the state leaders with six home runs.

--WESTLAKE (8-3-1) vs. FAITH BAPTIST (7-3), 9 a.m.: Westlake coach Gary Fetman said he plans to start some of his reserves, such as sophomore C Katie Sullivan, freshman SS Alisha Lewis and freshman 3B Megan Ackerman, but he means no disrespect against the Contenders of Canoga Park, who compete Division VI, the Southern Section's smallest division. ``They've got some players on that team. I know them personally,'' Fetman said.

--HARVARD-WESTLAKE (8-4) vs. KENNEDY (6-2), 11 a.m.: This figures to be an intriguing Southern Section-City Section matchup between resurging Harvard-Westlake and the upset-minded Golden Cougars of Granad Hills. Harvard-Westlake LF Elena Ferrero, who has committed to Boston College, is among the best players in the West.

--CRESCENTA VALLEY (10-1) vs. CALABASAS (0-8), 9 a.m.: Not a good draw for struggling Calabasas. Crescenta Valley, led by RHP Kris Franks, 3B Melanie McCauley and CF Sarah Sherman, is the defending tournament champion and has allowed just 10 runs all season.

--BURROUGHS (8-4) vs. GRANADA HILLS (9-2), 11 a.m.: This is a good showcase for two of the area's best shortstops, senior Sara Larquier of Burroughs of Burbank and junior Kelly Zakosek of Granada Hills. Larquier has committed to Virginia, and Zakosek, 9 for 14 in a recent tournament in Las Vegas, is batting .647.

--LA CANADA (6-3-1) vs. El CAMINO REAL (7-2): Expect a low-scoring game because RHPs Kelly Kalish of La Canada and Megan Zwoyer of El Camino Real both are elite.

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

Standout pitcher Jessica McGivney has a 4-3 record for Verdugo Hills High, which meets Chaminade today in an opening-round game in the Daily News Victory Spring Classic.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer

Box:

FIRST-ROUND MATCHUPS (see text)