PREP SOFTBALL DAILY NEWS ALL-AREA TEAM AND SEASON HIGHLIGHTS.

Byline: Pages compiled by Gerry Gittelson, Staff Writer

PLAYER OF YEAR

Lauren Watson, Catcher, Valencia, Sr.

An outstanding hitter with four home runs, 26 RBI and a .453 average, Watson also shined defensively, making her the region's most complete player. She helped carry the Vikings to 25 victories and a berth in the the Division I quarterfinals, easily their best season in school history. The BYU-bound catcher earned first-team All-Foothill League and Division I All-Southern Section honors and she was the MVP of the annual Daily News All-Star Game.

Watson struck out just once all season and only three players stole a base against her. She also had 18 home runs.

Valencia played one of the region's most challenging schedules, and Watson was at her best against superior competition:

--Watson homered off All-Area pitcher Sara Gonzales of Paraclete - the only player to do so this season - in the championship game of the High Desert Classic tournament.

--Her two-run single lifted the Vikings to a 6-5 victory over Hart to clinch Valencia's first Foothill League title on the last day of the regular season.

--She tripled in the go-ahead run in the ninth inning at Righetti of Santa Maria to power the Vikings to a 3-1 victory in the second round of the playoffs.

--Finally, she homered to center field against hard-throwing Melissa Coogan of El Camino Real in the 15th annual Daily News All-Star Softball Game on June 11 at Glendale Sports Complex, finishing 2 for 2 with three RBI.

PITCHER OF YEAR

Meredith Cervenka, Crescenta Valley, Sr.

No one has dominated for four years as did Cervenka, who is one of the region's best all-time players. The right-hander didn't allow an earned run in her first 26 starts this season, carrying Crescenta Valley to No. 6 in USA Today's national rankings before losing 3-0 to host Mater Dei of Santa Ana in the second round of the Division II playoffs.

Cervenka, who baffled hitters with a rising fastball and a variety of curves that zoomed in at unhittable angles, was 25-2 with a 0.15 ERA and 312 strikeouts and 22 shutouts in 193 2/3 innings.

Among her accomplishments this season was an 11-inning, 1-0 victory over Saugus in the first Daily News Victory Spring Classic tournament championship game. She pitched her way out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the bottom of the 11th to preserve the victory, earning the tournament MVP award.

In four years, Cervenka was the Pacific League MVP and first-team All-Southern Section every season. Overall, she was 91-11 with 1,116 strikeouts in 695 innings. Her career ERA was 0.09.

Cervenka, who is going to Long Beach State, was also an excellent hitter, finishing the season with a .326 batting average and six doubles. She capped her high school career with a victory and three scoreless innings in the 15th annual Daily News All-Star Game.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Gary Walin, Thousand Oaks

The Lancers began the season as the Daily News' No. 1 team and finished that way. But the road between was anything but smooth and Walin deserves credit for keeping the season together.

With five Division I-bound starters, much was expected. But signs of weakness appeared early in the season when the Lancers lost a sloppy 5-0 game to Hart of Newhall in the final of the Hart Classic tournament.

Then Thousand Oaks, ranked among California's best in most national polls, went two-and-out at a tournament in Florida and followed that with a pair of losses to Westlake, which didn't qualify for the playoffs.

Through most of the season, ace pitcher Nicole Angelo's shoulder problems were a well-kept secret, even though at one point she was receiving two therapy treatments a week.

Thanks to a down year for most Marmonte League contenders, Thousand Oaks survived to win the league title as Angelo's velocity returned late in the season. Third baseman Sheridan Fowler, catcher Jenni Perez and center fielder Andi Keesling also blossomed.

For the Division II playoffs, Thousand Oaks vowed to finally qualify for the championship game after consecutive semifinal losses the previous two seasons. With Angelo peaking at the right time and players scraping together key rallies, Thousand Oaks made the final and defeated California of Whittier for the school's first softball section championship.

FIRST TEAM

Nicole Angelo, P, Thousand Oaks, Sr.

Went 21-4 and led Lancers to first Division II championship.

Chanel Tripp, P, Rio Mesa, Jr.

Was 20-4 with 0.19 ERA and pitched Spartans to Thousand Oaks tournament title.

Tori Rocco, P, Valencia, So.

Went 18-4 and helped Valencia to their best finish in school history.

Christina Lupacchini, P, Chaminade, Jr.

Had 16 wins, a 0.63 ERA and 15 shutouts for Mission League-champion Eagles.

Sara Gonzales, P, Paraclete, Jr.

Won 23 games, including six no-hitters to carry Spirits to the Division V final.

Casey Pickard, Util, Hart, Sr.

Batted .384 and won 11 games as a pitcher.

Katie Stokx, Util, Thousand Oaks, Sr.

Hit .419 with 15 RBI and had 11 wins, 134 strikeouts.

CAPTION(S):

12 photos

Photo:

(1) Lauren Watson, Catcher, Valencia, Sr.

(2) no caption (Lauren Watson)

(3) Gary Walin, Thousand Oaks

(4) Meredith Cervenka, Crescenta Valley, Sr.

(5) no caption (Meredith Cervenka)

(6) Nicole Angelo, P, Thousand Oaks, Sr.

(7) Chanel Tripp, P, Rio Mesa, Jr.

(8) Tori Rocco, P, Valencia, So.

(9) Christina Lupacchini, P, Chaminade, Jr.

(10) Sara Gonzales, P, Paraclete, Jr.

(11) Casey Pickard, Util, Hart, Sr.

(12) Katie Stokx, Util, Thousand Oaks, Sr.

Photos by Daily News staff