SOFTBALL BEAT BIRMINGHAM OFF TO HOT START.Byline: GERRY GITTELSON Staff Writer A year after winning the second-tiered City Section Invitational championship, Birmingham of Van Nuys is 10-0 - the region's best record - and appears on the way to making good on a team vow to ``go all the way to the City Championship.'' ``Everything's going great. We just have to keep it up,'' senior pitcher Melissa Santana said. Santana, a right-hander, is enjoying an MVP-type season. She's 6-0 with one save, an 0.00 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 34 innings. Opponents are batting 0.56 against her. She's also batting .594 with a region-best five home runs (all in the last four games) with 17 RBI RBI abbr. Baseball runs batted in Noun 1. rbi - a run that is the result of the batter's performance; "he had more than 100 rbi last season" run batted in , 15 runs and a 1.219 slugging percentage In baseball statistics, slugging percentage (abbreviated SLG) is the most popular measure of the power of a hitter. It is calculated as total bases divided by at bats: in 32 at-bats. Teammates Valerie Montenegro (shortstop) and Pauline Morquecho (second base/pitcher), both sophomores, have started fast as well. Montenegro is hitting .576 with three home runs and 13 RBI, and Morquecho is batting .414. As a pitcher, Morquecho, a right-hander, is 4-0 with a 2.33 ERA. ``We're doing a lot better than last year because we've got all returners except for one,'' Montenegro said. ``I think the biggest reason why we've improved is because we're practicing harder and doing better drills. Everyone takes it more seriously.'' Morquecho, who is Montenegro's best friend, believes Birmingham's team chemistry is the team's most important component. ``We just work really well together,'' Morquecho said. RIO MESA'S STRUGGLES Rio Mesa, ranked among the best in the state in preseason polls, entered the week just 4-4, including consecutive losses to Hueneme on Friday and Saturday. The 2-0 defeat on Friday was especially frustrating because right-hander Chanel Tripp threw her second consecutive no-hitter but still lost. Tripp, who has committed to Cal, is 3-2 with an 0.00 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 32 innings. The problem is the Spartans have scored just eight runs in eight games, and they're batting .215. Four starters are batting .188 or worse. ``Yeah, it's been a little frustrating but I'm getting used to it,'' said Tripp, who's contributed to the offensive malaise by batting .136 (3 of 17) with one RBI. ``We have a good team. We're just not hitting.'' PONDERING FUTURE Senior pitcher Christina Lupacchini of Chaminade High of West Hills, considered one of the Southland's top Division I college prospects, said she might not play college softball College softball is softball as played on the intercollegiate level at institutions of higher education, predominantly in the United States. College softball is played by women at the intercollegiate level, whereas college baseball is played by men. even though she has several scholarship offers. ``I've got offers from San Diego San Diego (săn dēā`gō), city (1990 pop. 1,110,549), seat of San Diego co., S Calif., on San Diego Bay; inc. 1850. San Diego includes the unincorporated communities of La Jolla and Spring Valley. Coronado is across the bay. State, Hawaii, Cornell and Illinois/Chicago,'' Lupacchini said. ``A big part of the decision will be my health, how my back feels. But eventually, I'm just going to follow my heart. That's how I'll decide.'' Lupacchini, a three-year starting right-hander who won 18 games with 15 shutouts last season, has been bothered by back soreness throughout her high school career. Her fastball has been clocked as fast as 64 mph, but Lupacchini didn't play travel ball this summer. She's 1-2, but Chaminade has yet to score a run in either game. Several times Monday against visiting Valencia, Lupacchini's back appeared to be bothering her, as she grimaced grim·ace n. A sharp contortion of the face expressive of pain, contempt, or disgust. intr.v. grim·aced, grim·ac·ing, grim·ac·es To make a sharp contortion of the face. in pain. Her father, Ray, said he believes this will be her last season. ``We've gone through a lot with her back,'' he said. ``But you never know. She just has (to make a decision soon) because colleges won't wait forever.'' POTENTIAL STARS Cassie Corless and Jen Curtier Quartz Hill Corless, a senior catcher, and Curtier, a junior first baseman, are two of region's premier sluggers. They'll look to carry the Rebels at the seventh annual High Desert Classic on Friday, Saturday and Monday. The 32-team affair, hosted by Highland of Palmdale, is the region's largest invitational. Quartz Hill (7-3), which won the tournament three times in a row from 1998 to 2000, opens against Apple Valley at 3 p.m. Friday. BOUND TO HAPPEN The High Desert Classic final will come down to the last pitch in extra innings Noun 1. extra innings - overtime play until one team is ahead at the end of an inning; e.g. baseball extra time, overtime - playing time beyond regulation, to break a tie , as it has the previous two seasons. A crowd of about 400 freezing spectators will welcome the opportunity to return to their heated cars. GAME OF THE WEEK --Chaminade (1-2) at Hart (7-3), Wednesday, 3:15 p.m.: Is there no let-up for Chaminade of West Hills, making its annual trudge through a difficult nonleague schedule? The Eagles, rebuilding with six freshman/sophomore starters, haven't had an easy game yet. Power pitcher In baseball, a power pitcher is a pitcher who relies on the velocity of his pitches, sometimes at the expense of accuracy. Power pitchers usually record a high number of strikeouts and statistics such as strikeouts per 9 innings pitched are common measures of power. Christina Lupacchini has been her usual dominant self, but if Chaminade doesn't start scoring runs, it might be a long season. Meanwhile, Hart has been battle-tested, too. The Indians recently competed in the ultracompetitive Tournament of Champions in Bullhead bullhead, common name for several species of fish. See catfish; sculpin. bullhead Any of several species of North American freshwater catfish in the genus Ictalurus, valued as food and sport fishes. Bullheads are related to the channel catfish (I. City, Ariz., where they went 2-3. Starting second baseman second baseman n. Baseball The infielder who is positioned near and to the first-base side of second base. Noun 1. second baseman - (baseball) the person who plays second base second sacker Erica Duhart is out with a knee injury. LEAGUE UPDATES ALPHA Paraclete of Lancaster RHP rhp abbr. rated horsepower Sara Gonzales (3-2), who has been battling illness and injuries this season, appears back in form. She struck out 12 and allowed two hits in a complete-game victory Tuesday over Louisville of Woodland Hills. DESERT MOUNTAIN Desert Christian of Lancaster (2-4-1) starts six freshmen and sophomores, so the Knights figure to improve. McKenzie Smith is batting .580 with one home run and six RBI. RHP Amanda Wolfenstein is 2-2 with a 3.00 ERA, and RHP Vanessa Garcia has two saves and a 1.50 ERA. FOOTHILL Hart of Newhall and Saugus both hung tough last weekend at the 40-team Tournament of Champions in Bullhead City, Ariz., considered the nation's most competitive invitational. Both schools went 2-3, and Saugus defeated Foothill of Tustin, ranked No. 2 in California at the time. ``We played some excellent ballclubs. It was a real good experience,'' Saugus coach Rich Perez said. ``Every team out there was tough.'' ... Hart 2B Erica Duhart (sprained knee) is out for at least two weeks. Plus, RHP Jessica Bailey, who jammed her finger at practice this week, might be out for a while, too. ``We're so banged up,'' coach Cathy Giordano said. MISSION LF Elena Ferrero of Harvard-Westlake of Studio City, out since Thursday because of illness, returned to practice Tuesday. She should be available Friday against Highland in the first round of the High Desert Classic at Lancaster City Park. ``The good thing is we have an eight-day break until our next game,'' coach Terry Elledge said. ... Notre Dame Notre Dame IPA: [nɔtʁ dam] is French for Our Lady, referring to the Virgin Mary. In the United States of America, Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks has 10 days off for spring break. The next game is Wednesday against Burbank. ``It's good to have a break. It gives us time to work on things,'' coach Cindy Kramer said. PACIFIC Crescenta Valley The Crescenta Valley is a small inland valley in Los Angeles County, California. Its name derives from its crescent-like shape, with the convex portion facing roughly northeast and the concave portion southwest. , coming off a fifth-place finish at the Arroyo tournament in El Monte El Monte (ĕl mŏn`tē), city (1990 pop. 106,209), Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1912. A residential, industrial, and commercial city in the San Gabriel Valley, El Monte manufactures furniture, electronic equipment, semiconductors, , has a week off before Saturday's doubleheader against Hueneme of Oxnard. RHP Kris Franks is 5-1 with a 2.00 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 35 innings. Long Beach State-bound 3B Melanie McCauley, who is batting .529, is 7 for 10 since switching from the No. 3 to the No. 2 spot in the lineup. SS Tammy LeBreche is hitting .435 with three RBI. ... Glendale's 5-3 defeat to neighborhood rival Hoover at the Hoover tournament marked the first time Glendale had appeared in a tournament final in at least 11 years, 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. coach Kris Kohlmeier. PACIFIC VIEW Camarillo, coming off a down season, has rejuvenated re·ju·ve·nate tr.v. re·ju·ve·nat·ed, re·ju·ve·nat·ing, re·ju·ve·nates 1. To restore to youthful vigor or appearance; make young again. 2. under new coach Jack Willard. The Scorpions are 7-2, led by RHP Stephanie Byrne (3-0) and INF INF interferon. Beth Boskovich (.429). WEST VALLEY Chatsworth (8-5) outscored two opponents 13-3 after switching positions on defense. LHP LHP Left-Handed Pitcher LHP Left Hand Path LHP Lighthouse Point (Broward County, Florida city) LHP Left Half-Plane LHP Lead Hollowpoint (bullet) LHP Living History Project LHP Landslide Hazard Program Cassie Shires is 8-5 with a 1.13 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 79 innings. ``Cassie has been on a roll since we changed the defense,'' said first-year coach Ed Parker This article or section needs sources or references that appear in reliable, third-party publications. Alone, primary sources and sources affiliated with the subject of this article are not sufficient for an accurate encyclopedia article. , whose team travels to Canoga Park this afternoon. Shires is batting .361 with 16 RBI, and Becca McIntire is hitting .432 with three home runs, eight RBI and a .892 slugging percentage. Freshman Ann Petricca is batting .412. SPRING CLASSIC The second annual Daily News Victory Spring Classic softball tournament at Hjelte Sports Center in Encino begins April 6 and concludes the following Saturday, April 13. 9 a.m. Notre Dame vs. San Fernando San Fernando, city, Argentina San Fernando (săn fərnăn`dō), city (1991 pop. 144,761), Buenos Aires prov., E Argentina. It is a district administrative center in the Greater Buenos Aires area. ; Westlake vs. Faith Baptist; Crescenta Valley vs. Calabasas; La Canada vs. El Camino Real El Camino Real (Spanish for The Royal Road or The King's Highway) was the name of a series of pre-automobile highways linking the various New World colonies of Spain:
11 a.m. Newbury Park vs. Birmingham; Harvard-Westlake vs. Kennedy; Burroughs vs. Granada Hills; Verdugo Hills vs. Chaminade. DAILY NEWS TOP 10 Records through Tuesday No. Team Record 1. Crescenta Valley 6-1 Team ERA 1.52, three shutouts 2. Valencia 7-1-2 Favorite in upcoming High Desert Classic 3. Hart 7-3 Four solid starting pitchers 4. Westlake 7-2-1 Sophomore Savre has five triples 5. Royal 6-1-1 Has allowed just two earned runs 6. 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. 6-3 But 0-2 in Marmonte League The Marmonte League is a high school sports league primarily made up of schools from Ventura County. The Marmonte Leauge is part of the CIF Southern Section. Click here to view the league schedule. 7. Oaks Christian 9-1 Has won nine in row 8. Rio Mesa 4-4 Bats need to come alive 9. Moorpark 5-2-1 5-3 Loaded with returning seniors 10. Birmingham 10-0 Las Vegas Las Vegas (läs vā`gəs), city (1990 pop. 258,295), seat of Clark co., S Nev.; inc. 1911. It is the largest city in Nevada and the center of one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the United States. tourney this weekend --BUBBLING: Saugus 7-5; Camarillo 7-2; 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. 3-4; Paraclete 5-3; El Camino Real 7-3; Canyon 5-3-1; Quartz Hill 7-3; San Fernando 7-2, Granada Hills 6-0; Notre Dame 5-3; Harvard-Westlake 4-3; Agoura 5-5-1; La Canada 2-2-1. PERFECT 10 Birmingham is 10-0 with five shutouts, and no opponent has scored more than three runs. The Patriots travel to Monroe at 3 p.m. today. A season log: Opp. Result Eagle Rock Win 5-3 Sylmar Win 2-0 University Win 17-0 Poly Win 13-0 Marshall (L.A.) Win 14-0 Venice Win 5-3 Highland Park Highland Park. 1 City (1990 pop. 30,575), Lake co., NE Ill., a suburb of Chicago on Lake Michigan; inc. 1869. It is a retail business and medical center for the North Shore area. Win 13-2 Canoga Park Win 4-2 Bell Win 12-0 SIMI VALLEY BACK IN FORM By beating neighborhood rival Royal of Simi Valley 3-2 Saturday, Simi Valley won its own Simi Softball Invitational for the 10th time in the past 14 years. Here's a look at the recent winners and runners-up. Yr. Winner Runner-up 2002 Simi Valley Royal 2001 Royal Simi Valley 2000 Dos Pueblos Moorpark 1999 Simi Valley Kennedy 1998 Simi Valley Righetti 1997 Simi Valley Buena 1996 Apple Valley Westlake 1995 Lompoc Westlake 1994 Simi Valley San Marcos San Marcos (săn mär`kəs). 1 City (1990 pop. 38,974), San Diego co., S Calif., a northern suburb of San Diego; settled 1880s, inc. 1963. 1993 Simi Valley San Marcos 1992 Simi Valley Alemany 1991 Simi Valley Alemany 1990 Buena Simi Valley 1989 Simi Valley Burroughs 1988 Simi Valley Hart 1987 Hart Burroughs 1986 Burroughs Dos Pueblos 1985 Hart Cabrillo 1984 Hart Lompoc 1983 Kennedy Lompoc 1982 Simi Valley Hart 1981 Righetti Lompoc CAPTION(S): 4 photos, 4 boxes Photo: (1 -- 2) Melissa Santana (above), a top pitcher and hitter, and shortstop valerie Montenegro are two reasons Birmingham High is off to a fast start this season. Phil McCarten/Staff Photographer (3) LUPACCHINI (4) GONZALES Box: (1) SPRING CLASSIC (see text) (2) DAILY NEWS TOP 10 (see text) (3) PERFECT 10 (see text) (4) SIMI VALLEY BACK IN FORM (see text) |
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