SOUTHERN SECTION SOFTBALL NOTEBOOK: C.V.'S CERVENKA HAS CHANCE AT REDEMPTION.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer

Meredith Cervenka's high school softball career, now winding down, is filled with lofty accomplishments. It's something you'd expect considering the Crescenta Valley High right-hander has allowed one earned run in two years, none this season.

But she has no fond memories in regards to national power Mater Dei (19-8) of Santa Ana. The Monarchs eliminated the Falcons 1-0 in 12 innings when Cervenka was a sophomore and she gets a chance to avenge the loss in a Division II quarterfinal at 3:15 p.m. today, once again in Santa Ana.

Crescenta Valley (26-1) is ranked No. 6 in the nation by USA Today, the highest during Cervenka's four-year career.

Mater Dei beat Sunny Hills 1-0 on Friday.

In other softball quarterfinals:

--HART (24-5) at QUARTZ HILL (16-9): Division II Quartz Hill looks to settle the score after being eliminated by Hart in the first round last year. Left-hander Kellie Cox (13-2, 0.43 ERA) hasn't beaten a team of Hart's quality, but the streaking Rebels have won eight in a row and 12 of the last 13.

First baseman Jennifer Curtier (.394, 19 RBI) has five home runs, two in the last two games. Catcher Cassie Corless (.403) has 19 RBI, all in the last 13 games.

Hart, featuring two Division I-bound pitchers in right-hander Casey Pickard (Pittsburgh) and left-hander Lindsey Kontra (Oregon), has played a more difficult schedule.

--THOUSAND OAKS (22-5) at MIRA COSTA (19-5-1): Look for a low-scoring matchup because pitchers Nicole Angelo of Thousand Oaks and Samantha Lavino of Mira Costa are returning first-team All-Southern Section Division II selections.

Angelo (17-4, 0.34 ERA) pitched a one-hitter in a 2-0 victory over Hueneme on Friday, and Lavino (15-3) had her fourth perfect game of the season in a 5-0 victory over Arroyo.

--DOS PUEBLOS (25-6) at NEWBURY PARK (19-10): Division III Newbury Park must contend with the hard-throwing Stephanie Elliot, who eliminated defending Division IV champion Calabasas 8-0 on Friday.

--SOUTH PASADENA (12-12) at CHAMINADE (17-8-2): Chaminade's Christina Lupacchini continued her torrid pitching with a two-hit shutout in a 1-0 victory over Cabrillo of Lompoc on Friday, as the Division IV Eagles won their 12th of the last 13. If she's on again, South Pasadena probably doesn't have the lumber to keep pace.

--KERN VALLEY (18-8) vs. PARACLETE (21-3) at Lancaster Jane Reynolds Park: Sara Gonzales (19-2, 0.14 ERA) held Holy Family to two hits with 16 strikeouts in Friday's Division V opener. The junior right-hander has 203 strikeouts and 43 hits allowed in 152 innings.