High School Spring Sports : Royal’s DeVan Hurls 1st No-Hitter

Senior right-hander Danielle DeVan pitched the first no-hitter of her career as the Royal High softball team earned its fourth consecutive victory in a 7-0 Marmonte League win at Channel Islands.

DeVan struck out 11 and walked three to improve her record to 12-4. DeVan, who has pitched every game for the Highlanders (12-4, 3-1 in league play), retired 10 in a row during one stretch from the fourth to the seventh innings. She has not given up an earned run in her last six outings.

“She just had them waving at change-ups,” Royal Coach Jon Tabakman said. “She’s not really overpowering, but she’s just really thinking out there and it’s turning her into a really good pitcher.”

Against Channel Islands (0-4 in league play), DeVan helped herself on offense, going 2 for 4 with a run batted in.

In other softball games:

Simi Valley 7, Camarillo 6--The Pioneers commited four errors in the top of the seventh inning and had to withstand a late rally by Camarillo before earning the Marmonte League victory at Simi Valley.

Simi Valley’s last-inning errors contributed to a Camarillo comeback in which the Scorpions (1-2 in league play) score five runs.

The Pioneers (12-5, 2-1), scored six runs in the fourth, when they took advantage of four hits, two walks and an error.

Newbury Park 10, Westlake 1--Dara Ferris went 2 for 4 with two runs batted in and Jenette Sanchez was 2 for 4 with one RBI as Newbury Park remained perfect in Marmonte League play with the victory at Westlake.

Lea Lopez struck out nine and earned the win for Newbury Park (10-5-1, 4-0). The only hits Lopez gave up were singles by Jennie DeVico, Ren McAlonis and Laura Kranz.

Westlake (1-3 in league play) scored its only run on a throwing error by Newbury Park third baseman Chris Singer.

Agoura 5, Santa Clara 3--Freshman Melissa Thatcher tossed a three-hitter and went 2 for 3 with three RBIs to lead the Chargers to a Frontier League victory at Santa Clara.

Burroughs 6, Schurr 3--Christy Alves pitched one-hitter, struck out 10 and walked 1 to lead the Indians in their Foothill League opener at Olive Park.

Alves, a senior right-hander, allowed a two-out single to Noelia Perez in the first inning and improved her record to 10-1.

Burroughs (14-2) won its fourth consecutive game.

Taft 7, Cleveland 2--Louise Lew had a two-run single and stole two bases to lead Taft in its West Valley League opener at Taft.

Julie Koppekin allowed four hits in pitching a complete game for Taft (4-2).

Saugus 7, Burroughs 2--Cathy Lewis pitched a one-hitter and struck out 10 in the Golden League game at Burroughs.

Chris Arambula tripled, singled and knocked in two runs for the Centurions (6-4, 2-2). Heather Lonsberry and Dinah Walker also tripled for Saugus.

BOYS’ VOLLEYBALL

Royal d. Rio Mesa, 15-4, 15-10, 15-9--Dean Borth had 30 assists and Robert Fungaroli had 10 kills and 4 stuff blocks as the Highlanders won a nonleague match at Royal.

The win was the seventh in a row for Royal (7-0), which also got 9 kills and 15 service points from Craig Parker.

Taft d. Kennedy, 15-11, 15-2, 15-11--Jamal Thompson led Taft with 14 kills and Dave Goldwaith added 9 in the West Valley League match at Taft.

Gary Reznick had 56 assists for Taft (5-0, 4-0).

North Hollywood d. Van Nuys, 16-14, 15-10, 15-8--Chris Rasmussan had six kills and Nester Marroquin had five blocks to lead the Huskies in the Mid-Valley League match at North Hollywood. The Huskies improved to 3-2, 2-2 in league play.

Chatsworth d. El Camino Real, 15-5, 15-6, 15-4--The Chancellors romped in the West Valley League match at El Camino Real behind Mike Rosenthal’s seven kills, Damion Smith’s six kills and the passing of Jon Braun.

Chatsworth improved to 8-1, 5-0 in league play.

Granada Hills d. Birmingham, 15-3, 15-9, 16-14--Sam Goldman had 13 kills and Gideon Lee added 32 assists for Granada Hills in the West Valley League match at Birmingham.

Ben Itkin added 10 kills for Granada Hills (4-2, 2-2).

Canoga Park d. Grant, 15-5, 15-13, 15-10--Behind Sean Reyes’ 16 kills and Chris Byrne’s strong all-around play, host Canoga Park (6-0) improved its Mid-Valley League record to 5-0.