GIRLS' SOFTBALL: RAWSON TO THE RESCUE : CLEANUP HITTER SHINES FOR TEAM.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Daily News Staff Writer

Most softball teams would reel after graduating the top third of their lineup, especially free-swinging Highland High.

But not this year, as mighty Melissa Rawson returns as the cleanup hitter.

``I don't know who the first three hitters are going to be this year,'' she said. ``It is kind of up in the air.''

It does not really matter. Whoever winds up in front of Rawson, Highland is going to score a lot of runs. Rawson, the region's RBI leader with 36 last year (.366 batting average, four home runs, seven doubles, six triples), will see to it.

Few softball players possess the power, grace and fluidity with which 5-foot-9 Rawson swings the bat. She has a pure baseball slugger's swing, a dead pull hitter who connects with bad intentions.

``You just don't give Melissa Rawson anything good to hit,'' said Jodie Cox of Golden League rival Quartz Hill, which was 22-3 last year (one of the losses was to Highland) and also returns to give the league two of California's premier players in one conference. ``She is a very disciplined hitter who also has power. So you have to be very careful.''

Like Cox, who has committed to Cal State Fullerton, Rawson already has secured her college softball future. She plans to play at Colgate next spring, a good start on her goal to become a pediatrician.

A different drummer

On the softball field, Rawson is not like other players. The first baseman carries herself differently and she certainly carries her bat differently. This year, with Highland rebuilding both the top of its batting order and the middle portion of its infield, she will be called upon to carry a team that won 24 games last year but forever took a backseat to Division II champion Quartz Hill.

Rawson, who is deeply religious (she does not play travel ball on Sundays) and the daughter of a police sergeant, should blossom as the natural leader.

``I know I have a more mature attitude than most other 17-year-olds,'' she said. ``I think that is why I can cooperate so well with my teammates. I understand how people feel, and what's going on with them.''

Highland's core consists of Rawson and her two returning sisters Nichole and Natalie. Nichole is the team's top pitcher and Natalie, who played designated hitter most of last season, is vying for the starting shortstop position. Two other top players are sisters Ashlie and Angie D'Errico; Ashlie is an All-Southern Section candidate catcher and third baseman Ashlie, just a freshman, was a youth league star at Park View senior league who almost everyone agrees is destined for high school stardom.

So there is a strong sense of family on this team. Enough so to topple Quartz Hill and Cox? That remains to be seen.

``We definitely relate well on this team,'' Rawson said. ``Me and my sisters know each other real well of course, so it is kind of neat playing with them.''

Record-breaker?

Coach Glenda Potts said she is almost sure Rawson will break the school single-season RBI record of 40, set by Michelle Brown in 1993. If she does, it won't be against talentless opponents; Highland has a tough schedule that includes three competitive tournaments: Thousand Oaks, Hart, and the High Desert Classic. The Bulldogs' first game is March 2 at Burbank.

Part of Rawson's tuning-up process was participating in volleyball and basketball. She was the Golden League MVP in volleyball after emerging from project player to star in two seasons; she started at forward for the basketball team and showed flashes of excellence but was not dominant.

Softball is Rawson's sport. There was never doubt. Potts did not rule out Rawson making all-state.

``Melissa is ready to play this year,'' Potts said. ``She is excited about the season and ready to the break the record. Her enthusiasm for the game is what makes her such a good player. She is a good kid who works constantly. She is just filled with energy.''

``I think we're going to be strong,'' Rawson said. ``This is my senior year, so personally I want to play to the best of my ability. There is no way I want to leave any regrets on the field. I think as a team we have the potential to do really well. You can't tell until we get out there and start playing games, but I think we can do it.''

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PHOTO Highland's Melissa Rawson hopes to make her senior season her best, which is saying something.

Jeff Goldwater/Daily News