HOLDEN ON FOR MORE SAUGUS CATCHER EMERGES AMONG ELITE IN AREA.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer

SAUGUS - It was bound to happen sooner or later, and now the secret is out. Jaclyn Holden can't hide anymore. Everyone is starting to realize she's among the region's elite softball players.

The Saugus High junior catcher used the first Daily News Spring Classic tournament as her personal showcase, pounding out six hits - two home runs, two triples and two doubles - in the first three games to carry the Centurions into last Saturday's final.

Saugus (9-7) lost 1-0 in 11 innings to Crescenta Valley in the championship, but Holden certainly raised some eyebrows. She's batting .558 with 12 extra-base hits and a 1.070 slugging percentage.

``All I want to do is play softball,'' Holden said. ``That's why we put a batting cage in my backyard. I spend about an hour a day in there. I've got callouses on my fingers. Two years ago, I played basketball, too. But I decided to just concentrate on softball.''

Saugus, which plays Hart in key Foothill League matchup at 3:15 p.m. today, started slowly, winning just 1 of its first 4 games under first-year coach Rich Perez. But when Holden caught fire, so did Saugus. The team's resurgence coincided with a decision to move Holden to the leadoff spot in the order.

``Jaclyn pumps up everyone else,'' teammate Megan Ivey said. ``She's doing awesome.''

Assistant coach Gordon McKay believes Holden is the keystone for the Centurions' success, now and in the future.

``Our pitching has always been good this year,'' he said. ``The surge came when we finally started hitting, and Jaclyn was responsible. Moving her to the leadoff spot has worked out marvelously because before that, no one was getting on base ahead of her.''

Holden is a natural shortstop. She moved to catcher when Brittany Benicke broke a finger, and it appears Holden has found a home there.

``Jaclyn's a leader. I expect her to get a Division I college scholarship,'' coach Perez said. ``It doesn't matter what position she plays. She loves the game.''

Saugus won eight Foothill League titles and advanced at least as far as the section semifinals three times from 1993 to 1997. But the Centurions finished third last year and the balance of power appears to have shifted to Hart and Valencia.

Holden sees things realistically.

``Both those programs have really developed and they have had an influx of talent,'' she said. ``We were .500 last year, but we just didn't get the breaks. If we do get the breaks this year, I think we have a pretty good shot. I know we took the loss to Crescenta Valley pretty hard. But that's the way softball is. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose and sometimes it rains.''

AT A GLANCE

Jaclyn Holden has emerged as a top softball player for Saugus High

Stats: .558 BA, 3 HRs, 1.070 slugging pct.

Year: Junior

Position: Catcher/shortstop

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

Saugus High's Jaclyn Holden had six hits in the Centurions' first three games of the Daily News Spring Classic tournament.

Gerry Gittelson/Staff Photographer

Box: AT A GLANCE (see text)