ELITE HOPING TO IGNITE FIREWORKS.

Byline: Vincent Bonsignore, Ramona Shelburne and Gerry Gittelson Staff Writers

Just call it the SAT of travel softball, the tournament that can determine the next four years of a player's life.

When the top teams in the country gather next week at the Colorado Fireworks Tournament, they'll perform before hundreds of college coaches looking for talent.

Every hit, catch and pitch will be scrutinized and evaluated. An impressive showing can mean a full-ride scholarship.

No cause for anxiety, right?

``I remember tons of scouts crowding the field, it was really nerve racking,'' said former Newbury Park standout Cindy Muran, now at Northwestern. ``It seemed like the total idea of being there was to impress.''

Muran is one of the fortunate ones. Last summer, she parlayed an impressive showing at Colorado into a scholarship. That means the pressure is off when she returns there this summer with her Stealth 18-under Gold team.

Ashley Redlin, who plays for the Stealth 18-under team, is in a different situation. Despite a 17-3 record and 0.50 ERA as a senior at El Camino Real, Redlin has yet to sign. She's talked to Cal State Northridge coach Janet Sherman, but hasn't been offered a scholarship.

``It's a lot of pressure because everyone else is already signed,'' Redlin said. ``I really need to do good when I go out (to Colorado).''

The ups and downs: The good news for ECR catcher Christina Enea is that she was named to the Cal-High Sports All-State underclassmen team this week.

The bad news is that mononucleosis will sideline her for the next four weeks, meaning she won't be available when her Panther's Gold travel team attempts to qualify for nationals next week at the Hall of Fame qualifying tournament in Oklahoma. Panther's Gold needs a top-eight finish to earn a spot in the 16-under nationals in August.

Enea hopes to be at full strength in time for the nationals.

``The doctor recommended four weeks of intense rest, and that's what she'll do,'' said Sal Enea, Christina's father. ``She'll be fine.''

State of affairs: The area was well represented on the Cal-High All-State team, with Chaminade pitcher Maureen LeCocq, ECR's Cara Blumfield and Quartz Hill standout Jodie Cox joining 27 other honorees.

LeCocq was named the Player of the Year in the medium schools category. The All-State team in that division includes Meghann Reiss (catcher, Alemany), Oli Keohohou (IF, Newbury Park), Cindy Muran (IF, Newbury Park), Erin Taylor (IF, Chaminade), Karen Tobin (IF, Notre Dame) and Amy Rosson (P, Calabasas).

The small school's team features MacKenzie Vandergeest (C, La Reina), Julia Hartnell (P, Cornerstone Christian), Jennifer Jenkins (P, Boron), Latisha Hernandez (IF, Paraclete) and Stephanie Hall (OF, La Reina).

Joining Enea on the underclassmen team are Ashlie D'Errico (C, Highland), Meredith Cervenka (P, Crescenta Valley) and Keohohou.

For whom the Bell tolls: Broken legs wiped out the last two summers for Calabasas senior-to-be Heather Bell, costing her valuable exposure during the travel ball season.

But don't expect Bell to approach this summer with any trepidation. Last summer she played not to get hurt, and it may have resulted in the second broken leg in as many years.

``I'm not worried about (getting hurt) again this time,'' said Bell, who was injured both times while sliding. ``I'm just going to go out and play hard, and not think about it.''

ETC: The Northridge-based Southern California Shilos 12-under American Fastpitch Association team won the AFA California State championship in Moorpark last Saturday to earn a berth into the AFA National Tournament in Kansas later this summer. . . . Kelly Bleyl of Antelope Valley has accepted a full scholarship to Lynn University in Boca Rotan, Fla., a Division II college.