SOFTBALL: SAUGUS' FEARLESS TRIO SENIORS AIM TO FINISH OFF WITH A BANG.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer

SAUGUS - Saugus High softball seniors Kyla Sullivan, Kirsten Lindgreen and Hannau Lau are like sisters. They've been playing together since they were 10 years old, and they've been starting for the varsity the past four years, celebrating the good times and consoling one another during the bad.

This is their final season, and Sullivan, Lindgreen and Lau are expecting more celebrating than ever. The team improved to 6-3 after winning its fourth in a row, 8-4 Tuesday over respectable Highland of Palmdale in a nonleague game, and the girls are among the favorites to win the 10th annual High Desert Classic tournament in Lancaster beginning today.

Sullivan has grown from the team's No. 3 pitcher into an everyday ace over the past two years, and she's also among the team's top hitters, going 4 for 4 against Highland. Lindgreen has played several positions before settling at first base this season, and she's developing into one of the area's top power hitters with two over-the-fence home runs this year. Lau also has switched positions throughout her career, and this season she's starting at second base - her natural position, according to coach Rich Perez.

``All of them have done everything we've ever asked of them,'' Perez said. ``They've never said no whenever we asked them to change from third base to second, or from shortstop to first. They're just glad to help the team, and now I think our infield is stronger than it's ever been.''

Last year was the trio's most difficult because Saugus was forced to forfeit eight victories, costing the team a playoff berth. The news came hours before the final game of the regular season, and many of the players were in tears. It seems the hardships have brought the three even closer.

``We've gone through a lot together, but we get along so well,'' Sullivan said. ``We all roomed together at a tournament in Laughlin a couple of weekends ago, and it was great the way we all clicked.''

Lindgreen said the threesome are living it up.

``It's nice because we all know how to deal with each other. If one of us is down, we're there to pick each other up,'' she said. ``Kyla is especially good at that. She's a real picker-upper. And Heather is really good helping and supporting the younger players. That's important because they can be a little nervous.''

All of them are enjoying productive seasons, too. Sullivan is 6-1 with a 0.72 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 39 innings, and she's batting .375. Lindgreen is batting .320 with two homers in 25 at-bats. And defensive specialist Lau is hitting .250 and has come through with several sparkling plays at second base.

It remains to be seen if the party continues once Foothill League competition begins, especially with returning champion Valencia as strong as ever.

But if camaraderie and experience prove important factors, then perhaps Saugus just might have a shot.

BASEBALL: Hart's Susdorf looks to get bat unracked

Slugger expected to spark Indians as league play heats up

NEWHALL - Perhaps when key returning slugger Steve Susdorf inevitably gets hot, his Hart High baseball teammates will follow suit, and the team will start scoring more runs.

As things are, Hart (4-5, 1-1) has just three hits over the past two games heading into a Foothill League showdown at Canyon at 3:15 p.m. today. Susdorf, who last year hit five home runs and led the team with 32 RBI, has yet to homer in 25 at-bats, and he has just one RBI over the past six games - a skid that has seen Hart score more than five runs just once.

But when Susdorf finds his swing, watch out. He's among the Southland's most dangerous hitters, so it seems merely a matter of time before he gets into the groove.

``I just have to keep being aggressive at the plate, and I'll be successful,'' Susdorf said. ``I hit one against the top of the wall against Culver City, which is the closest I've come to a home run so far. Otherwise, I've been hitting a lot of balls right at people.''

It's not as if Susdorf is having an off year. He's batting .320 and has scored or driven in 13 of the team's 46 runs.

``Steve's actually doing real well. He's getting a lot of quality at-bats,'' coach Jim Ozella said. ``A good example of what's been going on is what happened last game (a 2-1 victory over Burbank). He gets up three times, and once he walks, once he gets hit by a pitch and the other time he lines a shot right at someone. His batting average and home runs might not be where everyone wants them to be, but pitchers know who Steve is this year, and they're pitching him carefully.''

Susdorf raised his profile by committing to Fresno State before the season. Another problem is Hart has fewer power hitters around him this season because most of the top players from last year's lineup have graduated, including the school's all-time leader in home runs, Chris Valaika.

There are 18 regular-season games remaining, and no one is particularly worried about Susdorf getting his numbers.

And when Susdorf does begin driving in more runs, the timing probably will be just right. League competition began last week, which means the games are taking on more importance.

Susdorf isn't concerned. Besides, his goals remain team-oriented.

``Well, our fielding is getting a lot better, and our pitching is getting better, so once our hitting comes around the whole team will really improve,'' he said. ``I look around at the guys we have, and I think we've got a really good chance.''

BASEBALL: GAME OF THE WEEK

SAUGUS (6-2, 1-1) at VALENCIA (5-3, 2-0)

3:15 p.m. today

Outlook: Saugus can create a tie for first place by pulling an upset, but the Centurions are facing one of the Southland's hottest teams. Valencia has won five in a row and has outscored its past four opponents by an average of 9.5 runs.

Saugus probably will start left-hander Jason Pfau (1-1, 0.58), who pitched a one-hit shutout against Hart in his last appearance. Pfau's loss was to defending national champion Chatsworth. He'll need to watch out for Valencia sluggers Jared Clark and Matt Aidem. Clark has six home runs, including four in the past four games. Aidem has homered in each of the past two games.

Clark is Valencia's probable starting pitcher. The 6-foot-4 right-hander is 2-0, including an 11-strikeout performance against Saugus on Saturday.

SOFTBALL: GAME OF THE WEEK

VALENCIA (9-1) vs. HART (2-3)

3:30 p.m. Thursday at Newhall Park

Outlook: This rivalry is always heated no matter the sport, but softball competition is especially intense because both programs are perennially among the region's best.

But Valencia has beaten Hart seven times in a row in the past three years, the last was a 3-2 victory in 12 innings at this same field.

Valencia has a strong group once again with pitchers Christina Ross and Courtney Baughman starting strongly. The team also has a group of heavy hitters led by Breanne Javier, who is batting .438 with three home runs and 14 RBI. Javier's RBI total is among the state's best. Hart has a strong returning pitcher in right-hander Robyn Kontra. She pitched the full 12 innings in last year's final loss to Valencia. Hart catcher/designated player Briana Bernardi is a dangerous hitter. She hit one of the longest home runs in school history in a tournament game against El Camino Real of Woodland Hills this season.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, 6 boxes

Photo:

(1) From left, Hannau Lau, Kyla Sullivan and Kristen Lindgreen are four-year starters for the Saugus High softball team. They know they count on one another through good times and bad.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer

(2) (Steve Susdorf is likely the most dangerous hitter on Hart's team, but he has yet to homer and has one RBI in the past six games.)

David Crane/Staff Photographer

Box:

(1) BASEBALL: GAME OF THE WEEK (see text)

(2) SOFTBALL: GAME OF THE WEEK (see text)

(3) LOOK BACK

(4) COMING UP

(5) STANDINGS

(6) TIME OUT