Candle Silva

School: Southern California Christian

Sport: Softball

Position: Pitcher

Class: Freshman

In his first three seasons as SCC’s softball coach, Ed Felten has never had a team with a winning record. With five regular-season games remaining in this season, that is no longer an issue. The Flames (13-2, 6-1 in the Arrowhead League) are assured of a finish better than .500, and last week they moved into first place in the league. A major reason for the success is Silva, who ranks second in Orange County in strikeouts with 159. “She’s been an exceptional find,” Felten said. “She just walked on the field and started throwing strikes.” Tuesday, Silva shut out Sherman Indian on one hit, striking out 15 in a 3-0 victory that moved the Flames past Sherman into first place. Friday, she pitched a no-hitter--her third of the season--and struck out 13 in a 12-0 mercy-rule victory over Sherman Indian, which earlier in the season dealt Silva only league loss. Silva, the leadoff batter, is batting better than .400.

Other top performers:

El Modena’s Alexis Beckman ran her shutout streak to five with a 1-0 four-hitter against Foothill and a 4-0 two-hitter against Villa Park, helping the Vanguards move into a tie for first with Villa Park.

Fullerton freshman Angie Fancuberta pitched consecutive four-hit, 1-0 shutouts, beating her older sister, Bernie of Sunny Hills, and La Habra’s Danielle Ortega, the county’s strikeout leader.

Kennedy’s Erryn Gutjahr drove in a run in 2-1 victories over Garden Grove and Pacifica to help the Fighting Irish move alone into first place in the Garden Grove League.

Lisa Scherrer hit two home runs, including a grand slam, and drove in eight runs in Calvary Chapel’s 24-1 mercy-rule victory over Capistrano Valley Christian.