GIORDANO ENJOYING HER RETIREMENT FROM COACHING FORMER HART SOFTBALL COACH TRAVELS, GOLFS.

Byline: GERRY GITTELSON

For the first time in at least two decades, former Hart High softball coach Cathy Giordano can finally take a deep breath now that she's retired - and she's loving every minute of it.

The 56-year-old Saugus mother of four has dedicated herself to being a mom, and she's enjoying traveling and golfing on a steady basis. She recently returned from a three-week vacation in Italy, followed by a two-week break in Hawaii.

``I'm really happy,'' Giordano said. ``It's been so long since I haven't been involved with softball during this time of year that I don't even remember how long it's been. I plan on playing a lot of golf and spending a lot of time with my family, and that's all I've ever really wanted to do. My family comes first, and that's hard to do when you're coaching high school softball.''

After coaching youth and travel teams, followed by a stint at Saugus High, Giordano coached at Hart the past seven years - making the playoffs every season - before retiring last spring. Hart's new coach is her close friend Steve Calendo, a Hart assistant under Giordano in 2002 and 2003.

Giordano had planned a trip to the Amazon this spring but instead is busy planning the wedding of her daughter Nicole who is marrying former Saugus High classmate Adam Stoll in May.

``Now I'm in wedding mode,'' said Giordano, whose other daughter, Janine, also is engaged.

The itch to continue coaching isn't completely gone. Giordano plans to coach her 7-year-old granddaughter Madi's T-ball team.

``It's one practice and one game a week. I think I can handle that,'' Giordano said.

--The newest Foothill League baseball phenom is freshman Zach Vincej, who's won the starting shortstop job at Saugus - one of the Southland's most successful programs, winning 43 games the past two seasons.

It's almost unheard of for a freshman to start at shortstop in the Foothill League.

``I think the last one might have been Robby Davis, who started here at Saugus as a freshman 20 years ago - then transferred to Hart the next season,'' Saugus coach John Maggiora said. ``Zachary is very fundamentally sound and goes about his business. He's a hard worker and just a very solid player. We expect some big things from him in the next four years.''

--Valencia High's baseball season began in dramatic fashion Saturday. Justin Shults hit a tying, two-run home run with two out in the bottom of seventh, and Cameron Tillisch followed with an RBI double in the eighth to cap a 5-4 scrimmage victory over visiting Chaminade of West Hills.

Valencia followed with a 9-2 victory over West Torrance later in the day. Jordan Bottenfield had four hits in two games and scored the winning run against Chaminade. Casey Mulligan hit a three-run home run, and winning pitcher Scott Fowler carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning against West Torrance.

--Hart standout Ian Feldman has left Claremont-Mudd-Scripps' baseball team after two seasons to concentrate on academics. He spent last semester as a student abroad at the National University of Singapore, and he plans to graduate a year early next year. Feldman's brother, Mason, is playing baseball as a senior at Thacher School in Ojai.

--Saugus High is seeking nominations for the school Hall of Fame. Information: http://www.hart.k12.ca.us/saugus/sports2/hall. Nominees must have graduated at least five years ago.

How about David Parker, who played football in the late '90s? He was the best quarterback the Centurions ever had.