SOUTHERN SECTION SOFTBALL HART FEELS IT IS READY VALENCIA AND CANYON ALSO MAKE PLAYOFFS.Byline: Anel Laj Staff Writer The Foothill League was so competitive this year that the battle for playoff play·off also play-off n. Sports 1. A final game or series of games played to break a tie. 2. A series of games played to determine a championship. Noun 1. spots came down to the final week. The exception was Hart High, which lost one league game - to Saugus - while winning its third consecutive Foothill title. The first-place finish Noun 1. first-place finish - a finish in first place (as in a race) win - a victory (as in a race or other competition); "he was happy to get the win" earned the Indians a Division II playoff berth against Quartz Hill in the first round on Friday at Hart at 3:15 p.m. ``The good thing about us participating in the top-notch tournaments is that it helps us get mentally tough for the playoffs,'' said Hart assistant coach Carlos Gomez. ``Having a competitive league like the Foothill was also a big help because there wasn't an easy game all year long. Now with playoffs it takes mental preparedness pre·par·ed·ness n. The state of being prepared, especially military readiness for combat. Noun 1. preparedness - the state of having been made ready or prepared for use or action (especially military action); "putting them , skill and lady luck.'' As Hart won its title, Valencia, Canyon and Saugus were in a tight race for the two remaining playoff spots. Valencia finished in second, followed by Canyon. The Vikings host 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. in a wild-card game today, and Canyon hosts Lancaster, the Golden League's third-place team in another wild-card game. Although Valencia is young, with five freshmen in the lineup A criminal investigation technique in which the police arrange a number of individuals in a row before a witness to a crime and ask the witness to identify which, if any, of the individuals committed the crime. , it's proven to be one of the league's deeper teams. Experience from upperclassmen such as catcher Lauren Watson, pitcher Michelle Smith
Michelle Smith (born December 16, 1969 in Rathcoole, County Dublin), now more commonly referred to by her married name, Michelle de Bruin, is an Irish former swimmer. , outfielder Carrie Mitchell and first baseman Michelle Maibon have also been keys for the Vikings this season. Defense has also contributed to Canyon's success this season. The Cowboys cowboys, in American history. 1 Tory marauders, adherents to the British cause in the American Revolution, who fought in the contested area of Westchester co., N.Y. have players who can generate offense. Justina Kahaku and Sonia Zapata are the team's strongest hitters with batting averages batting average n. Baseball A measure of a batter's performance obtained by dividing the total of base hits by the number of times at bat, not including walks. Noun 1. of .397 and .310, respectively. Pitchers Jennifer Henderson (1.53 ERA) and Shiloh Klein (1.89 ERA) have been solid on the mound. The most interesting first-round game looks to be Hart vs. Quartz Hill. The Rebels have a strong tradition, which includes eliminating Hart in 1998 and going on to win the Southern Section title. But this year, the Rebels are the underdogs. Although the Rebels don't have the same players from their '98 championship team, they have plenty of talent. Four players are batting above .400 with Sara Moore leading the team at .433 batting average. Other solid performers include Jennifer Curtier (.429), Kellie Cox (.426) and Olaya Salazar (.414). But the Indians' defense is solid. Shortstop Carly Caldaronello and third baseman third baseman n. Baseball The infielder stationed near third base. Noun 1. third baseman - (baseball) the person who plays third base third sacker Jocelyn Evans play errorless defense almost every game. ``As far as our defense is concerned, they went above and beyond any of our coaches' expectations because none of the kids with the exception of the pitchers played the positions last year,'' said Gomez. ``Our outfielders really came through toward the end and that should be credited to coach Jamie Harrington, who works them hard.'' CAPTION(S): photo Photo: (color) Casey Pickard and her Hart teammates will meet Quartz Hill in the first round of the playoffs Friday. The Indians stormed through the Foothill League with only a single defeat. Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News |
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