Silverman’s Return to the Mound Tarnished by Two Shaky Outings

Beth Silverman probably wasn’t the only one who was surprised by a 7-1 loss to Newbury Park last week in her much-anticipated return.

“I never thought about seven runs being scored against me,” the formerly undefeated El Camino Real pitcher said.

It is probable that nobody else did, either.

Silverman certainly didn’t resemble the pitcher whose windmill whip led the Conquistadores to City Section 4-A Division championships in 1985 and 1986, the pitcher who surrendered only one earned run in 127 innings during that second glory year.

In Silverman’s defense, the Conquistadores’ defense has been shaky. She has yielded only four earned runs in three games and has an earned-run average of 1.40. But Silverman (2-1) also has been touched for 15 hits in 20 innings. And she is the first to admit that her recent performances haven’t measured up to those of the past.

“Yeah,” Silverman said, “but nobody’s perfect.”

Funny she should put it that way, because Silverman was perfect: 35-0 through the two championship years and for one game in 1987. Only one game because she left the team shortly after the season began because of what she refers to as--and declines to talk about--”The Incident.”

“Last year was just totally blown out of proportion,” she said. “It’s over and done with.”

Said Coach Neils Ludlow: “We never bring it up. It’s all water under the bridge.”

Silverman left after she reportedly cursed a teammate during a game. Pressured by teammates, Silverman sat out the season while the Conquistadores reached their fifth consecutive title game, in which they were routed by Sylmar, 13-4.

“I didn’t know all summer long what I was going to do,” she said. “Different people at school were saying to me, ‘Are we going to get our softball title back? Are you playing?’ I just said, ‘I don’t know if I’m coming back.’ ”

With hopes of obtaining a college scholarship, Silverman returned. But it has not been easy for the senior. Silverman defeated Chatsworth, 3-1, and recorded eight strikeouts Tuesday. But she was tagged for seven hits, including a home run.

Silverman defeated Kennedy, 7-4, two days later but yielded eight hits. And had the Conquistadores not been gifted with four unearned runs, she would have been tagged with her second loss.

Has a year of idleness caused a Silverman slip?

“Actually, I didn’t really stop playing at all,” she said. “I played on a men’s fast-pitch team and a summer team. I feel fine. I spent the off-season working out with weights and I’m just starting to get into condition.”

Said Ludlow: “Beth is throwing really well. But when you play the really good teams, she’s not going to strike out everyone. You’ve got to remember that in ’86 we had excellent people behind her to make the plays. Six of them could have been All-City.”

And six of them have graduated, leaving the Conquistadores with only two returning players--Jenny Fleming and Lisa Huffaker. The fact that El Camino Real had 10 new players, Silverman said, contributed to her decision to return.

“We’re all out there having fun,” she said. “We’re upset when we lose, but no one starts getting mad. That’s the most important thing. We all have fun.”

TEAMS TO WATCH

Sylmar--The defending champion Spartans lost much of their offense with the graduation of shortstop Teri Klement. But Chuck Miller is not concerned.

“We’re looking good,” said Miller, the first-year coach. “We rebuilt fast.”

With four top returnees, not much rebuilding was needed. Cindy Campbell and Chris Parks were both All-City selections. Catcher Christy Robbins and first baseman Cheri Warren also return.

Deann Wright, a transfer from Kennedy, will pitch.

“We’ve got a reputation that everyone will be shooting for,” Miller said. “So we’ve got to shoot for every win we can.”

Chatsworth--The defending North Valley League champion, which fell to El Camino Real in the second round of the playoffs, will be led by returning pitcher Christina Roopenian.

Roopenian, a senior, was 7-2 with a 1.17 earned-run average and 75 strikeouts. She also batted .378 and was a first-team all-league selection. Roopenian is off to a 2-1 start and has pitched a no-hitter against Cleveland.

Six other starters return. Shortstop Stephanie Ellis is a third-year starter who batted .403 last year. Outfielder Dana Lewis (.316), first baseman Laura Phillips (.304), Dawne Stevens, Laurel Schneider (.317) and utility player Jennifer Mischler (.262) also are back.

Outfielder Julie Bedigian hit three home runs as a sophomore but was academically ineligible last season. New players include juniors Danielle Mosher and Latoya Williams.

SOUTHERN SECTION

Thousand Oaks--The Lancers finished third in a tough Marmonte League last season but reached the 4-A final before losing to Cypress, 5-0.

Four key players return. Pitcher Shireen Campbell was 13-7 with an 0.90 ERA. Shortstop Phronsie Franco, first baseman Jamie Heggen and catcher Julie Chellevold, who will attend Ohio State on a volleyball scholarship, also return.

Heggen, however, is recovering from a broken finger and Chellevold is nursing an injured knee.

“Even though we’re a relatively young team, we have a lot of experience,” Coach Chuck Brown said. “The success we’ve had kind of gives the girls a sense of what it’s going to take to win.”

Diane Borck, who missed last season because of a knee injury, returns. Sophomore Alicia Zinner was the most valuable player of the sophomore team.

Newbury Park--The defending Marmonte League champion, which was upset by Burroughs in the first round of the playoffs last year, has five key contributors returning.

First baseman Chris Singer, who batted .500 in league play, was named the league’s most valuable player. Junior pitcher Marilyn Carroll, 6-0 in league play, was named the league’s most valuable pitcher. Shortstop Robin Thomas batted .360 and second baseman Melody Bolger batted .340. Catcher Dara Ferris also returns.

Coach Joe Wortmann is even more optimistic about his new players. Center fielder Beth Calcante, who led last year’s junior varsity in most major offensive categories, has “blazing speed.” New leadoff batter Heather Roland also is fast.

“I think there is a lot more parity in this league than last year,” Wortmann said. “A 10-2 record could win the league.”

Simi Valley--More Marmonte muscle. The second-place Pioneers anticipate two more solid years from left-hander Chrissy Oliver, who had five league wins last season.

“She throws much, much harder this year,” Coach Suzanne Manlet said.

Denise Swank, who made only one error at second base, moves to shortstop. Swank batted a team-high .488.

Kelly Kaufman (third base) and Melissa Maples (first base) help strengthen the infield.

Simi Valley is on a roll. The Pioneers, who won their own tournament this season with victories over Hart and Burroughs, rallied for a second-place finish last year.

“We were in fourth place most of the year,” Manlet said. “But we won some big games late in the year.”

Royal--The Highlanders, who finished fourth in the Marmonte League, will hit the basepaths.

“Our outlook is speed,” co-Coach John Tabakman said. “Our pitching is not going to dominate this league. We’ve got to force something.”

So far, so good. The Highlanders stole 27 bases in their first four games.

Danielle De Van, a backup last year, is the new starting pitcher. Catcher Missy Cress, a three-time all-league selection, batted .390. Shortstop Nikki Noyes, an all-league selection as a freshman, batted .368.

Denise White, who hit .303, and Stevie Campbell, who is perfect in 10 base-stealing attempts this year, also return.

Hart--Hart was co-champion of the Foothill League with Burroughs last year and lost to Thousand Oaks in the first round of the playoffs.

Sophomore pitcher Kym Weil was one reason for the Indians’ success. Weil, who was 15-7, has not allowed an earned run in 43 innings this season and tossed a one-hitter against Royal.

Shortstop Kris Yeates, catcher Angie Gorski and designated-hitter/outfielder Debbi Rendall all are returning seniors.

Alemany--The Indians won their fifth league championship last season in Dudley Rooney’s six years as coach. If they are to repeat, however, a young team will have to grow up fast.

“They’re babies,” Rooney said. “I burp them every two innings.”

Only two starters return--second baseman Jenny Rector and center fielder Jill Greenwood.

Junior Rebecca Stuart, who pitched a one-hitter this season against Simi Valley, is the new starter.

Saugus--Cathy Lewis was one of the best pitchers in the Valley last season. Lewis, a junior, had 216 strikeouts in 155 innings and an 0.60 ERA. Twice she struck out a career-high 17 batters in a game and twice she struck out 16.

“She’s a fun one to watch,” Coach Ron Hilton said. “Everything she did last year was a school record.”

Catcher Lori Whyte and second baseman Chris Arambula were all-league selections last year.