GIVE SIS AN ASSIST : SHE KEPT RICHARDSON PITCHING FOR CAMARILLO.

Byline: Bill Schlotter Daily News Staff Writer

When the Camarillo High School softball team takes the field for its Southern Section Division I title game with Mater Dei tonight, it will have Class of '93 alumna Laura Richardson to thank for helping it get there.

Richardson's younger sister, Melanie, rang up an 11-1 record for Camarillo this year, splitting the Scorpions' 23 victories with teammate Cindy Ball (12-1).

But if not for a winter counseling session from big sis, little sis would have sat out her senior year. And the Scorpions' season likely would have ended weeks ago instead of at 7:30 p.m. tonight at Mayfair Park in Long Beach.

``We weren't too sure she was going to come back this year,'' said Camarillo coach Nichole Victoria.

Richardson was sure.

Sure that after playing softball from the age of 9, she'd had enough of the game. Sure that she'd rather spend her free time earning and saving money for college.

``I really thought over the winter that I was going to quit softball,'' Richardson said.

Then came a chat with big sister Laura, who pitched the Scorpions to a 1991 Southern Section title and went to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on a scholarship.

``I got burned out just like she did,'' Laura Richardson said. ``I ended up giving up my scholarship. I miss the sport a lot. I didn't want her to do the same thing.''

The older sister convinced Richardson - who had just modest success in her first three years at Camarillo - to stick with the game another year, put her all into it and try to earn a scholarship.

``She's always had the talent, but she wasn't that excited about practicing,'' Laura Richardson said. ``This year she's got her head screwed on a little bit straighter.''

When big sister speaks, Melanie listens.

``She's always kind of been my idol,'' Melanie said of Laura. ``Especially when I was younger.''

Melanie took the advice and learned a valuable lesson.

``I finally figured out that if you work hard, you do good,'' Richardson said.

Her 11-1 record indicates a new dedication. So does her 0.25 ERA.

``She finally realized that as a pitcher, you have to work harder than anyone else on the field,'' Victoria said. ``She's really come on this year.''

Those who know both say the Richardson sisters are similar in many ways.

``Their personalities really are a lot a like,'' said Miki Mangan, a teammate on Laura's 1991 championship squad and an assistant coach to Melanie. ``They're both very laid-back, very quiet - but very determined and very strong.''

They're similar on the field as well.

``We're junk-ball pitchers,'' said Laura, who hopes to rejoin the Cal Poly team next season. ``We don't really rely on our speed. The only real difference I see is that Mel has a better change-up.''

Both girls got into softball at about the same time after watching older sister Rosanne, who also pitched for Camarillo.

But while Laura worked at improving her game, Melanie looked on practice as something to avoid.

``I was always dedicated to playing,'' Laura said. ``But Melanie always had a few excuses up her sleeve.''

At times, they both did.

``She didn't always work hard,'' Melanie said. ``I remember one time it had been raining and our dad wanted us to practice our pitching. We went outside and turned the water on the pitching mound (in their back yard) so it would look like it rained harder than it did.''

The trick didn't seem to hurt Laura's game any.

At the end of her sophomore year, she pitched the Scorpions to their Southern Section title, shutting out Buena 3-0 in the championship game.

Now, depending on whom Victoria selects to pitch, it could be Melanie's turn.

``My advice to her would be to just take one pitch at a time and block everything out except the batter,'' said Laura, who plans to attend today's game. ``And I just want her to know that I'm really proud of her.''

She has reason to be.

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Photo

Photo: Melanie Richardson's 11-1 record, 0.25 ERA helped Ca marillo to the Southern Section title game.

John McCoy / Daily News