Strong Arms of Softball Showcased

Christy Alves versus Beth Silverman. Heather Lindstrom versus Shireen Campbell.

The pitching match-ups are highly evocative for an all-star softball game that brings together 30 of the best high school seniors in the City and Southern sections.

Alves (12-2), who will pitch for the East, was the Foothill League Player of the Year. Her counterpart on the West team, Silverman (19-4), led El Camino Real to its fifth City Section 4-A Division title in the past six years.

The East’s Lindstrom was 20-1 for Crescenta Valley and Pacific League Player of the Year for the second consecutive year. The West’s Campbell helped pitch Thousand Oaks to the Marmonte League championship.

And the forum for these softball luminaries is the second Daily News All-Star game, which will be played at 2:15 this afternoon at Cal State Northridge.

West co-coaches Suzanne Manlet of Simi Valley and Carolyn Gunny of Granada Hills also have Chatsworth’s Christina Roopenian (13-3) armed and ready.

“We have a good pitching staff,” Manlet said. “But offense is our big strength.”

Thousand Oaks catcher Julie Chellevold, the Marmonte League Player of the Year, and Newbury Park catcher Dara Ferris will lead the West’s hitters.

The best of the rest of the West includes Simi Valley third baseman Kelly Kaufman (.457 in league play) and Simi Valley first baseman Melissa Maples (.333).

“Our strength is our pitching,” said Hart Coach Al Weil, co-coach of the East along with Dan Berry of Crescenta Valley. “But we, obviously, have some quality players.”

Those include Burroughs catcher Karen Knoop (.388), Sylmar infielder Cindy Campbell (.412), Crescenta Valley outfielder Leilani Artis (.428) and Hart catcher Angie Gorski (.311).

Verdugo Hills first baseman Sue Huffman batted .473 and Hart shortstop Kris Yeates (.371) struck out only four times in 106 plate appearances. Bell-Jeff third baseman Stacey Smock (.485) will play outfield.

The East won last year, 10-1.