DAILY NEWS VICTORY SPRING CLASSIC ROUNDUP: SALAZAR SIZZLES TO LEAD THE WAY S.F. ACE HITS, THROWS TIGERS INTO SEMIS.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer

Selena Salazar came through with remarkable performances at the plate and in the pitcher's circle to carry surprising San Fernando to two upset victories Saturday at the Daily News Victory Spring Classic softball tournament at Hjelte Sports Center in Encino.

Salazar hit two home runs, including a grand slam, with seven RBI and pitched a complete-game three-hitter in an opening 11-1 victory over Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks.

Then, she smacked a two-run triple, drove in all three runs and held Newbury Park to one hit in a 3-1 victory to catapult San Fernando (11-2) into next Saturday's semifinals against Westlake (10-3-1).

Overall, Salazar was 5 for 7 with 10 RBI, and she was 2-0 and allowed four hits in 12 innings. She's batting .513 with four home runs and 20 RBI, and has a 7-2 record, 0.34 ERA and 80 strikeouts in 61 innings.

And she's just a freshman.

``I think I did a decent job today and the defense played perfect and made all the plays,'' Salazar said.

Salazar is the biggest reason why San Fernando is bidding for its first softball tournament title in school history.

``Selena was just outstanding today,'' coach Peter Bernal said. ``She's a diamond in the rough that you spot out as soon as your see her play. There are very few like her.''

Newbury Park coach Lyn Baum sees plenty of talent in the elite Marmonte League. But she proclaimed Salazar to be something special.

``She's just a ninth-grader? That's scary,'' Baum said. ''I thought she was very good today.''

In other Daily News games:

--Crescenta Valley 9, Granada Hills 0: Sarah Sherman and Ashley Powell had three hits apiece, and right-hander Kris Franks (11-1) notched her second pitching victory of the day for reigning tournament champion Crescenta Valley (13-1).

The Falcons face La Canada (8-3-1) in the semifinals Saturday at 11 a.m.

Earlier, Crescenta Valley opened with a 19-2 victory over Calabasas. Kirsten Whitt went 2 for 2 with home run and two RBI, and Melanie McCauley was 2 for 3 with four runs scored.

--La Canada 2, Verdugo Hills 1: Right-hander Kelly Kalish (7-1) limited Verdugo Hills of Tujunga to three hits, and she scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the fifth when she came home on Ciri Bryan's triple.

The victory propelled La Canada into Saturday's semifinals. Earlier, the Spartans knocked off El Camino Real of Woodland Hills 4-1. Danielle Mellin (2 for 3, one RBI) went six strong innings for the victory, and Kalish earned the save.

--Westlake 5, Harvard-Westlake 0: Right-hander Michelle Rehm (6-3) notched her second victory of the day, allowing two hits, to carry Westlake into the semifinals.

Earlier, Westlake defeated Faith Baptist of Canoga Park 3-2. Rose Sierra homered for Faith Baptist.

--Chaminade 5, El Camino Real 4: Christina Lupacchini hit a home run and was the winning pitcher for Chaminade of West Hills (5-6), which played without standout catcher Tory Yamaguchi, who had a schedule conflict.

--Granada Hills 1, Burroughs 0: Jillian Leahy limited Burroughs of Burbank to four hits, outpitching Dani Regan.

--Harvard-Westlake 2, Kennedy 0: Freshman Kristin Gallant pitched a no-hitter with six strikeouts for Harvard-Westlake of Studio City.

--Newbury Park 5, Birmingham 0: Lauren Saby and Chrissy Zappia combined on a two-hitter as Newbury Park opened a two-run lead in the first inning and never was threatened.

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San Fernando's Selena Salazar had two pitching wins and 10 RBI during the Daily News Victory Spring Classic on Saturday.

Charlotte Schmid-Maybach/Staff Photographer