ATHLETE OF THE WEEK : Wallace Flying High With MVP Trophy

It seemed like the flight attendants would never find a place for the two-foot-high trophy Chatsworth relief pitcher Derek Wallace received for being selected the most valuable player in last week’s Colonial Baseball Classic in Orlando, Fla.

“The stewardess carried it up and down the aisle,” third baseman Joel Wolfe said. “People were clapping.”

But still there was no room for the trophy.

“They tried to put it in the cockpit with the captain,” Wallace said. “But it wouldn’t fit.”

During the seventh innings of two games last week, Wallace had to be wondering where he would fit more baserunners. Twice the 6-3 junior found himself pitching with the bases loaded, no outs and the game on the line. Twice he escaped without allowing a run.

On Wednesday, Wallace struck out two batters and retired another on a foul popup to preserve a 5-2 win over defending-tournament champion Winter Park (Fla.)

On Thursday, Wallace struck out Saugus’ Joe Palomino and George Lopata--both on called third strikes--and retired Tom Dodson on a check-swing roller to lift the Chancellors into the championship game with a 4-3 win.

The Chancellors won the tournament with a 5-2 win Saturday over Kaiser (Hawaii.)

Wallace finished the tournament with a win and two saves.

“I was getting a little nervous in those games,” said Wallace, who was dubbed “Pup” by his teammates last year when he was the only sophomore on varsity. “But I just thought to myself, ‘I can’t let the team down.’ ”

Pup has been leaving hitters without so much as a bone all season. Wallace is 3-0 with four saves.

“When we get into trouble we look to Derek,” Wolfe said. “And with confidence.”

Said Coach Bob Lofrano: “We felt going in that the only chance we had to win the tournament would to be to use Derek in relief. He played his role perfectly.”

And they finally found a perfect place for the trophy.

“They made room for it in an overhead compartment,” Wallace said. “It was in first class.”