GIRLS' SOFTBALL: SIGH OF RELIEF: PITCHER'S INJURIES NOT SERIOUS.

Byline: Gideon Rubin Special to the Daily News

LANCASTER - Quartz Hill High's softball team can breathe a little easier.

The Rebels learned Tuesday that leg and hip injuries that junior pitcher Kristin Ware suffered Monday are not as serious as originally feared.

Ware had X-rays taken on a doctor's visit Tuesday. She was told to take at least two weeks off a precautionary measure, Quartz Hill co-coach Maury Cauchon said.

``We have one more game (against Knight) left this week and then we have next week off for spring break, so we'll reevaluate her condition when she gets back,'' Cauchon said. ``The X-rays were negative, so that's a good sign.''

Ware left Monday's five-inning 8-0 loss to Saugus in the High Desert Classic tournament championship game with no outs in the fifth inning after her knee appeared to give out from under her.

Ware is 6-2 with a 2.95 ERA and has pitched 42 2/3 innings, accounting for nearly three fourths of the team's 58 1/3-inning workload.

Junior Candice Miller and sophomore Ashley Zylstra, a junior varsity call-up, will replace Ware in the interim, Cauchon said.

Miller, a Lancaster transfer who is primarily plays corner infield positions, is 1-0 with a 2.42 ERA. Zylstra debuted Tuesday, pitching two scoreless innings in a 30-2 league-opening victory over Littlercok.

Ware allowed one run on one hit and one walk through the first three innings before complaining of knee and hip pain before the start of the fourth inning on Monday's game, which was on an exceedingly cold night at Lancaster City Park. Weather.com reported the wind-chill factor in the Antelope Valley that night to be in the mid-30's, and rain began to fall late in the game.

Ware surrendered five runs - four earned - on four hits and two walks over the next one-plus innings.

Miller inherited a second-and-third no-outs situation when she relieved Ware on Monday. The next four batters she faced reached base on two singles, a walk and an error. Saugus pitcher Sarah Hooper, who pitched a five-inning no-hitter, hit a two-run single that triggered the mercy rule.

``It was a really cold night and it took (Miller) a while to warm up,'' Cauchon said. ``It was extreme conditions to play a softball game, for everybody.''

--Accomplishment: Cauchon said reaching the High Desert championship game for the first time in five years was a significant accomplishment for his team.

Quartz Hill outscored its previous three tournament opponents 35-5, including an 8-0 semifinal victory over San Fernando.

The Rebels were represented by Ware, Miller and junior outfielder Alaina Devenney on the all-tournament team.

``I felt that we dominated the three other teams we played and we played well in all of our games,'' Cauchon said. ``All in all it was a good confidence booster.''

--Spirits up: Freshmen-heavy Paraclete's surprisingly strong start has given he program a positive outlook as it looks to rebuild after one of its worst seasons in recent history.

Utility player Corina Alvarado, shortstop/outfielder Paige Cummings, first baseman/pitcher Joanna Hernandez and outfielder Shelby Wilson are among seven freshmen on the varsity who have already made an impact.

Gideon Rubin, [phone]

gideon.rubin(at)dailynews.com