SOFTBALL NOTEBOOK: CAMARILLO PLAYERS READY TO PLAY NOW.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer

Krystle Chamberlain, Camarillo High's standout center fielder, said she's quite eager to play Dana Hills of Dana Point (24-7-1) at 3:15 p.m. Tuesday in the Division I semifinals.

``I want to play right now. I can't wait through all those days until it's Tuesday,'' Chamberlain said.

Chamberlain, who is batting .490 with a state-best 48 stolen bases, has provided a major lift after transferring from Calabasas High, where she was a two-time All-Southern Section selection.

Camarillo (26-5), the region's only remaining large school still alive in the playoffs, also is getting strong contributions from Oregon-bound third baseman Beth Boskovich (.402, six home runs) and sophomore shortstop Cambria Miranda (.438, two home runs).

But the biggest key during Camarillo's playoff run has been sophomore pitcher Stephanie Bryne. The right-hander hasn't allowed an earned run in 21 innings, and she came within one out of no-hitting Diamond Bar.

``We're doing really well and everyone is really excited and pumped,'' Miranda said. ``We're going to do the best we can to keep on winning. I don't think anyone expected us to do this well, but we've just worked really well together as a team.''

Second-seeded Dana Hills, led by pitcher Candace Rainwater, has never advanced past the second round. Rainwater pitched a three-hit shutout Thursday to eliminate Chino.

The Southern Section finals for all divisions will be Friday and Saturday at Barber Park in Irvine. The schedule will be released Wednesday.

--Oak Park keeps going: Oak Park, which travels to Western of Anaheim (20-5) at 3:15 Tuesday in the Division IV semifinals, is the region's biggest surprise of the playoffs.

The unseeded Eagles (19-10) knocked off No. 1 El Segundo in the second round then defeated Lompoc 3-1 in Thursday's quarterfinals.

``We don't know what to expect Tuesday, but we're excited because we know one more win and we're in the finals,'' pitcher Melissa Johnson said. ``We have a lot of confidence, and I think we have a good chance because we've already beaten the No. 1 team.''

Johnson (17-5, 0.86 ERA), who has committed to University of North Carolina at Greensboro, pitched a six-hitter with eight strikeouts against Lompoc. She also had two hits.

SO. SECTION SEMIFINALS

All games 3:15 p.m. Tuesday

DIVISION I

Camarillo (26-5) at Dana Hills of Dana Point (24-7-1)

DIVISION IV

Oak Park (19-10) at Western of Anaheim (20-5)

DIVISION VI

Oaks Christian of Westlake Village (28-4) vs. Capistrano Valley Christian (17-8) at Saddleback College 

Faith Baptist of Canoga Park (22-5) at Linfield of Temecula (14-7)

CAPTION(S):

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SO. SECTION SEMIFINALS (see text)