I'M MY OWN PITCHER FRANKS IS A WORTHY SUCCESSOR TO CERVENKA AT C.V.

Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Staff Writer

The first thing Crescenta Valley pitcher Kris Franks wants people to know is that she isn't Meredith Cervenka.

Franks is following in the footsteps of Cervenka, one of the most dominant pitchers in region history and a Crescenta Valley of La Crescenta star for four years. But in no way is she trying to be Cervenka.

``I'm my own pitcher,'' Franks said. ``I'm not Meredith and I'll never be Meredith. I just do the best I can.''

So far, that's been extremely effective for Franks and the typically dominant Falcons, who advanced to the semifinals of the Daily News Victory Spring Classic Saturday behind a pair of gems from Franks. The hard-throwing senior improved to 11-1 with victories over Calabasas and Granada Hills and will lead the Falcons into Saturday's semifinal against Calabasas at 11 a.m. at the Hjelte Sports Center in Encino.

``She's done everything we expected of her,'' Crescenta Valley (13-1) coach Dan Berry said. ``She's a talented pitcher in her own right and now people are getting a chance to see that.''

Berry was confident Franks was up to the challenge of taking over for Cervenka, but he went out of his way to avoid making any comparisons or dwelling on the fact that Franks was following such a remarkable pitcher. Cervenka, now at Long Beach State, assaulted the Crescenta Valley record book by finishing her career with a 91-11 record, 1,116 strikeouts and a 0.09 ERA in 695 innings.

Those are intimidating numbers to follow, but the fact that Berry eased Frank's mind by insisting she just try to be the best pitcher she could be an dismiss any idea that she had to live up to Cervenka's accomplishments soothed any anxiety Franks might have had.

``We didn't put any of that kind of pressure on Kris or anyone else,'' Berry said.

Nevertheless, Berry and his staff knew how difficult it would be trying to make up for Cervenka's loss, so he issued a challenge to each of his players in hopes of deflecting the blow.

``At the end of last year, ... I asked each player not to try to carry the load themselves, but for each of them to try to improve on themselves by 20 percent. We felt if that could happen, we'd be fine.''

It was a little different for Franks, who was moving from the field into the pitcher's circle. Franks, a talented pitcher in travel ball, got few chances with the Falcons because she was playing behind Cervenka. She helped Crescenta Valley with her bat and in the field, but she was pining to get her chance finally as a pitcher.

``It was difficult not pitching, but I understood the situation and I knew I just had to wait my turn,'' Franks said. ``I was able to contribute to the team in other ways, so that made it easier, and I knew by time would finally come and that if I was ready when it did, things would work out.''

And that's what happened. It helps that Franks is surrounded by a solid supporting cast on offense and defense. In fact, Franks will attend Azusa Pacific, Melanie McCauley will go to Long Beach State and Sammi Dempsey is considering a scholarship to Cal State Dominguez Hills. Also, shortstop Tammy LaBreche is on the verge of accepting a scholarship.

``I think offensively we're even better than we were last year,'' Berry said. ``It shows in the number of runs and hits we've had. We're on a pace to break school records in hits and extra-base hits. The kids are hitting the ball extremely well.''

And with Franks doing her thing in the circle, the Falcons are once again one of the most powerful teams in the region.

The key, according to Berry, is that the Falcons have left the Cervenka years and reinvented themselves as a different, but no-less effective, team.

``You're not trying to replace legends, you're just trying to be yourself,'' Berry said. ``Whether it's football or baseball or any other sport, you're always going to have great players leave or retire, and nobody ever replaces those type of players, they just happen to play the same position as them. As long as they just try to be themselves, they'll be OK.''

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Pitcher Kris Franks of crrescenta valley if following in the footsteps of Meredith Cervenka at at Crescenta Valley High.

Gerry Gittelson/Daily News