SOFTBALL: ONLY THE BEST PITCHER THRIVES ON CHALLENGES.Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer Even though teammates haven't scored a run in Chaminade High's first two softball softball, variant of baseball played with a larger ball on a smaller field. Invented (1888) in Chicago as an indoor game, it was at various times called indoor baseball, mush ball, playground ball, kitten ball, and, because it was also played by women, ladies' games - an 11-inning 0-0 tie with Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. and a 3-0 10-inning loss to national power Mater Dei Mater Dei is Latin for "Mother of God", referring to the Virgin Mary. The term has been used to name various institutions, often Catholic, including:
``I have total confidence in my team. We're going to make it back to the (Southern Section) championship,'' Lupacchini said. ``We're doing awesome, just playing really good teams. It's the same way every year at Chaminade.'' Lupacchini, a junior right-hander, struck out 16 in the opener against Simi Valley. Against Mater Dei, she pitched five relief innings, giving up one earned run earned run n. Baseball A run scored without the aid of an error, used in computing earned run averages. Noun 1. earned run - a run that was not scored as the result of an error by the other team . Things don't figure to get much easier in Chaminade's next game, a Thursday afternoon matchup against visiting Hart. The Indians are 4-0 after Saturday's victory over Thousand Oaks Thousand Oaks, residential city (1990 pop. 104,352), Ventura co., S Calif., in a farm area; inc. 1964. Avocados, citrus, vegetables, strawberries, and nursery products are grown. - the Daily News No. 1 team - in the Hart Classic tournament final. Lupacchini, who was 17-9 with a 0.48 ERA and 200 strikeouts in 197 innings as a sophomore last year, wouldn't have it any other way. She wants to face the best and if that means winning just one of the first seven games. as Chaminade did last year, so be it; Lupacchini believes it's not how you start but how you finish. Lupacchini has been with the varsity since her freshman year. She won two games as a ninth-grader, backing up pitcher Maureen LeCocq, who carried the Eagles to a Division IV championship. It was Lupacchini's team last year and she gained steam as the season wore on, recording seven shutouts in Mission League competition, then three shutouts to start the playoffs. Eventually, Chaminade lost to Calabasas in the Division IV final last year and Lupacchini is gearing for a return. ``It just makes us stronger playing so many tough teams,'' Lupacchini said. ``Even if we don't win, to go 10 scoreless innings against Mater Dei is a confidence-builder.'' First baseman Lindsey Weinstein, who has committed to Kansas, agrees. ``I think we're going to come around with our bats,'' Weinstein said. ``I think Christina is doing a good job and she has matured a lot since last year. She used to watch Mo (LeCocq) take control, and now Christina is learning to take control herself. That has to be the case to be a great pitcher.'' Lupacchini has a good combination of pitches, banking on a zippy fastball and effective changeup change·up n. Baseball A pitch intended to look like a fastball, which actually approaches the plate at a slow speed, thereby causing the batter to swing prematurely. [Alteration of change-of-pace.] . ``She really mixes it up and uses a lot of variety,'' Weinstein said. Coach Jessica Creith is in her first year, but she saw Lupacchini pitch last year and has noticed an improvement. ``Last year, Christina threw very well, but I think she's a little stronger now,'' Creith said. ``She dominating and overpowering and she'll keep getting better. She has a great array of pitches. With such overpowering speed and a tough changeup, she keeps hitters ofalance.'' Lupacchini started her career playing with the boys. She was tee-ball teammates with Kennedy High pitcher Eric Moore Eric Moore is a former Australian rules football player who played in the VFL between 1966 and 1972 for the Richmond Football Club and then from mid-1972 until mid-1973 for the South Melbourne Football Club. and she held her own, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Ray Lupacchini, her father. ``She started when she was 5 and switched to softball when she was 8,'' he said. ``I think Maureen LeCocq was a great mentor for Christina. She calls Maureen her big sister.'' Lupacchini gained prominence in travel ball, helping Southern California-based Tuffenuff to a 16-under national championship last summer. In travel ball, she shared the load with two other pitchers. At Chaminade, Lupacchini is the focal point focal point n. See focus. , but she hasn't lost her grasp on team concepts. ``We have some strong senior leaders, like Lindsey, Kaiulani Welch and Kelly Musgrove Kelly Musgrove was a fictional character in the defunct Channel 4 soap opera Brookside. She was portrayed by Natalie Earl from 1998 until 2000. Family
CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Chaminade junior Christina Lupacchini has been impressive in her two outings this season. Dean Musgrove/Staff Photographer |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion