Surgery Keeps Silverman Knee-Deep in Wins : El Camino Real Pitcher Operates on Kennedy, 5-0, in Conquistadores’ 36th Straight Victory

Beth Silverman had a 15-0 record as a freshman pitcher on the El Camino Real High softball team last season, but she still had two problems: her right knee and her left knee.

After limping through her first season with the Conquistadores, she underwent operations in August. Knees that used to be iced after games are now quickly thrown into a pair of sweat pants.

“They’re coming along,” Silverman said. “It doesn’t hurt anymore.”

Their revival certainly hasn’t hurt El Camino Real’s chances of winning its fourth straight City 4-A championship.

Silverman, selected to the All-City team in 1985, is 2-0 this season. She pitched her second complete game Tuesday, striking out six in a 5-0 win over highly regarded Kennedy (4-2).

“Beth can pitch with anyone,” said Neils Ludlow, El Camino Real coach. “She’s pitching faster than last year. She’s sharper and her control is pretty good.”

The Conquistadores have won 36 straight games and are 21-0 since Ludlow took over last year. Silverman had 15 of last season’s wins, quickly easing Ludlow’s concern about using a freshman pitcher.

Kennedy coach Diana Laborde agreed with Ludlow’s assessment of Silverman.

“Beth is one of the best--if not the best,” Laborde said. “She mixes it up well.”

While Silverman mixes it up on the mound, the Conquistadores have been hitting well behind her.

El Camino Real (2-0) had five hits off Kennedy pitchers Michelle Collins and Pauline Madrid. Freshman Lisa Huffaker was 2 for 3.

The Conquistadores scored three times in the second inning. Huffaker bunted for a hit, then advanced to third on a fielder’s choice and a stolen base before she scored on an error.

With the bases loaded, Tammy Ottino walked, forcing home Debbie Onestinghel. Corey Fischer then scored on a fielder’s choice for the final run of the inning.

Kennedy had four hits but stranded five runners, including three in the second inning. Carole Kim walked and advanced on an Avery Kutcher single. With one out, Silverman walked Sharon Thompson to load the bases but then retired the next two batters on a fly ball and a ground out.

Kutcher led Kennedy’s hitting attack with two singles in three at bats. Madrid, an All-City selection last season, struck out four batters in four innings. But she couldn’t shut down the Conquistadores.

El Camino scored two more runs in the sixth inning.

Huffaker singled to left field with one out. Onestinghel dribbled a single halfway between third base and home plate. Kutcher fielded the ball, but with Onestinghel safely on her way to first base, Kutcher threw the ball toward third base in an attempt to pick off Huffaker. Instead, she threw the ball into left field, allowing both runners to score.

Although the error did not allow the deciding run to score, it was significant to Ludlow.

“You never know from year to year what the other City teams look like,” Ludlow said. “I think we can play with any team in the City. It’ll come down to who’s able to make the critical play.”

Ludlow, 46, led the Conquistadores to the City title in his first year as coach. El Camino Real finished 19-0 and defeated Banning High and superb pitcher Lisa Bautista, 3-0, in the championship game. Bautista entered that game with a 21-3 record and 17 no-hitters.

Ludlow has put a lot of trust in underclassmen this season, singling out two freshmen as the power at the plate for the Conquistadores--Huffaker, the catcher, and Jodi Iwafuch, a utility player.

“They’re going to add a lot to the team,” Ludlow said. “We’re looking for both of them to make a big contribution.”