LITTLE DRAMA IN VICTORY CHAMINADE MAKES IT TO DIV. IV SOFTBALL FINAL CHAMINADE 6, D. PUEBLOS 2.

Byline: RAMONA SHELBURNE Staff Writer

There was a feeling something crazy was going to happen before it was over.

With all of the ups and downs the Chaminade of West Hills softball team has been through this season, there was no way Tuesday's 6-2 Southern Section Div. IV semifinal victory over defending champion Dos Pueblos of Goleta was going into the books without a little hitch.

And so, as if on cue, Chaminade third baseman Megan Milkovich and shortstop Brianna Saraceno added some drama to the game's final out. With two outs and two on in the seventh, Milkovich and Saraceno trapped Dos Pueblos pinch-runner Andria Castagnola between second and third in a lengthy rundown to end the game.

Despite the score, it wasn't until Saraceno tagged Castagnola out near third base that Chaminade could really celebrate its first championship appearance since 2000.

``I'm just so proud of the girls, considering all the stuff we've been through this year,'' Chaminade coach Jon Ellinghouse said.

Just six weeks ago, Chaminade was reeling from a serious health scare to senior outfielder Kelly Korras, who came down with bacterial meningitis and was in a coma for two days. Several teammates had to be tested for the disease after coming down with flu- like symptoms, but none were positive.

Korras has made a full recovery and was in the starting lineup Tuesday afternoon.

``We weren't sure how this year was going to go. We lost two captains to graduation. And then Kelly got sick. But I think that helped us realize how important this all was to us. It brought us closer as a team,'' said winning pitcher Brianna Barth (22-5).

While Korras was out, the team went 4-3, including back-to-back losses at the Best of the West tournament in Santa Maria. After the second loss, to Woodcreek High of Roseville, Ellinghouse and the team sat down for an emotional meeting. The Eagles (22-6) haven't lost since.

During the 11-game winning streak, Ellinghouse hasn't shaved his goatee. By Tuesday, it was looking a little shaggy.

``It's working, so I'm sticking with it. You gotta have some different (eating) techniques though,'' he joked.

Until the end, there was little suspense. Lead-off batter Danielle Zymkowitz doubled to start a two-run rally in the first inning, then singled to start a three-run third. Zymkowitz was 3 for 4 with two runs scored on the day. Sophomore catcher Brittany Cervantes was 2 for 3 with three RBIs.

Chaminade (22-6) led 5-0 and Barth was cruising in the circle. She gave up only five hits and no walks. She also made several sparkling defensive plays, finishing with seven assists and one putout.

At the plate, Barth helped her own cause, going 2 for 2 with an RBI and scoring two runs. Emily Bliss was 1 for 4 with two runs scored.

Dos Pueblos (20-6), the defending champion, did not throw Penn State- bound pitcher Kimi Wong, who has been limited with a sore arm in recent weeks. Chaminade defeated Wong and Dos Pueblos 5-2 on April 17.

Chaminade will play Warren of Downey at Barber Park in Irvine either Friday or Saturday. Warren (23-5) has won 19 straight. Chaminade last won a Southern Section title in 1999 behind Gatorade National Player of the Year Maureen LeCocq.

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2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Chaminade's Brittany Cervantes fields a throw to the plate during Tuesday's win. Cervantes also went 2 for 3 with three RBIs.

(2) Chaminade High's Danielle Zymkowitz slides under Dos Pueblos catcher Janelle Wong for a run Tuesday.

Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer