DAY IN SPORTS: NO-HITTER FOR T.O. PITCHER.

Byline: Daily News

The last time pitcher Brian Bird started a game for the Thousand Oaks High baseball team was the first week of the season in a Daily News Tournament game. His next start proved to be worth the wait.

The junior pitched a no-hitter Thursday, striking out seven and walking two in the Lancers' 1-0 victory over Moorpark in the championship game of the San Luis Obispo Tournament.

``The old jinx in baseball is never tell the pitcher when he has a no-hitter going,'' Lancers assistant coach Ed Kitchen said. ``But we told him, anyway.''

That did little to stop Bird from making the most of his opportunity as he improved to 2-0 this season. It still might be difficult for him to crack the starting rotation, considering Bret Montgomery and Kyle Ayers have been mainstays on the mound, combining to throw nine complete games in their last 10 outings.

``Our starters have pitched well, which hasn't left many opportunities,'' Lancers coach Rod Stillwell said in reference to Bird, who has been used mostly as a middle reliever and first baseman. ``He did an exceptional job, though. I'm extremely pleased but not surprised. If one of our top two guys has an off day, he can come in and have a quality outing.''

In other prep baseball:

--San Fernando 7, Reseda 0: Matt Nevarez had six strikeouts in four innings and Bobby Esparza struck out five in three innings of relief as host San Fernando (11-10, 6-2) remained in second place in the Valley Mission League, a game behind Kennedy of Granada Hills.

--Chatsworth 3, Cleveland 0: Jason Dominguez pitched his fifth complete game of the season, giving up two hits, striking out five and hitting a two-run home run for host Chatsworth (21-1, 8-0) in a West Valley League game.

In prep softball:

--San Fernando 2, Sylmar 1: Selena Salazar almost single-handedly took care of Sylmar as San Fernando won a Valley Mission League game at home.

Salazar struck out 10 and hit the game-winning home run in the sixth inning.

``(Sylmar) came out strong,`` said Salazar, who threw 95 pitches (72 for strikes). ``Last time, we beat them at their field, and I am sure they wanted to beat us at ours.''

Lorena Arregin went 3 for 3 with a run scored for San Fernando (16-3, 6-0).

Lauren Guzman led off the first with a single and scored Sylmar's (11-6, 3-3) lone run on Brenda Lira's single to left.

- Julio Cortez

--Kennedy 15, Van Nuys 0: Vanessa Gonzalez struck out 15 of the 21 batters she faced in a two-hitter for Kennedy of Granada Hills (10-7, 4-2) in a Valley Mission League victory at home.

--Glendale 2, Arcadia 1: Heather Hamasaki was nearly unhittable, striking out 15 in a complete-game one-hitter for visiting Glendale (9-3, 3-1) in Pacific League play.

--Quartz Hill 3, Palmdale 1: Erica Ricker and Jennifer Curtier each had an RBI in a three-run sixth inning for Quartz Hill (15-3, 4-0), which trailed for most of the Golden League game against visiting Palmdale (5-13, 1-3).

In boys' golf:

--Golden League: Highland sophomore Erik Jarvey was medalist at 5-over-par 77 and four teammates broke 80 at wind-gusted Tierra del Sol as the undefeated Bulldogs of Palmdale (25-0) totaled 390 to win their fourth consecutive Golden League match.

Also:

--Signing: Chaminade of West Hills' Amy Bissinger, a post player, has signed a letter of intent to play for the UC San Diego women's basketball team next season.

CAPTION(S):

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Photo:

San Fernando's Jackie Salazar, right, is tagged out at home by Sylmar catcher Brenda Lira, but the Tigers turned out not to need the run as they won 2-1.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News