SOFTBALL NOTEBOOK: HERERRA WINS MVP HONORS AT ASA TOURNEY.Byline: Ramona Shelburne Ramona Shelburne is an American sports journalist currently writing for the Los Angeles Daily News. Shelburne was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She attended El Camino Real High School in Woodland Hills, California where she was a class valedictorian. Staff Writer Ashley Herrera plays at a high level in softball, but she has received surprisingly few personal accolades. The former Valencia High shortstop, who has started at UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX the past two seasons, finally is starting to get some recognition. Herrera, who walked on at UCLA but has since received a partial scholarship, was chosen MVP (Multimedia Video Processor) A high-speed DSP chip from Texas Instruments, introduced in 1994. Officially introduced as the TMS320C80, it combines RISC technology with the functionality of four DSPs on one chip. after leading the Schutt Hurricanes to an upset victory over the hometown Stratford Brakettes in the ASA Asa (ā`sə), in the Bible, king of Judah, son and successor of Abijah. He was a good king, zealous in his extirpation of idols. When Baasha of Israel took Ramah (a few miles N of Jerusalem), Asa bought the help of Benhadad of Damascus and women's ``major'' division championship in Stratford, Conn. Word of Herrera's performance spread quickly. ``After (winning the MVP), so many people in the softball world found out and called me,'' she said. ``I got a long voicemail from (UCLA coach Sue Enquist) saying how proud she was of me. I still have it saved, because it really meant a lot.'' The Brakettes have won 27 major-division national titles and will become a professional team next year in the National Pro Fastpitch National Pro Fastpitch (NPF), formerly the Women's Pro Softball League (WPSL), is the only professional women's softball league in the United States. The WPSL was founded in 1997 and folded in 2001. league. Herrera said the highlight of her tournament was a sacrifice fly off Brakettes ace Cat Osterman Catherine ("Cat") Leigh Osterman (born April 16, 1983) is an American athlete and was one of the pitchers on the USA Women's Softball Team which won the gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics. , a senior at the University of Texas and gold medalist on the U.S. Olympic team. Despite her breakout performance, Herrera said she's still unsure of her spot at UCLA. ``I just have to earn a spot again and prove myself again,'' she said. ``It's always a constant competitive environment. If I don't perform, I'm not going to play.'' --Keeping with tradition: Steve Calendo is the new head softball coach at Hart High, replacing Cathy Giordano, who retired earlier this summer. Calendo, a former assistant under Giordano and well-respected travel-ball coach, is entrenched en·trench also in·trench v. en·trenched, en·trench·ing, en·trench·es v.tr. 1. To provide with a trench, especially for the purpose of fortifying or defending. 2. in the Hart softball community and can expect a smooth transition. Last week, Hart senior shortstop Emily Sudik said she was considering quitting the team if Giordano didn't return as coach. Calendo, who coached Sudik, Danielle Duhart and Amanda Sreeden in travel ball, said he called all of Hart's seniors Wednesday night and received a good reaction. ``I've talked to the seniors, and they are looking forward to having a great senior year,'' Calendo said. ``Hart High has a very strong softball tradition, and we're excited to continue that and build on what Cathy and her staff have done.'' Calendo said he has hired Kevin Parks, the former Hart High junior-varsity coach, and Carly Cardenello as assistant coaches. Calendo was the tournament director of the Hart softball tournament and head coach of the Santa Clarita Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, Pride travel softball team. He's a lawyer in Glendale. Ramona Shelburne, (818) 713-3617 ramona.shelburne(at)dailynews.com |
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