The More She Pitches, the Stronger She Gets : Softball: Fancuberta, the county leader in innings pitched, has led Fullerton to the Division II title game.

If it takes an extra tug on Angie Fancuberta’s shirt sleeve to get her attention this week, it’s because she’s a bit preoccupied.

Fancuberta, the county leader in innings pitched, will toe the rubber again today when Fullerton plays La Puente Bishop Amat for the Southern Section Division II softball championship at Mayfair Park in Lakewood.

An experienced player in only her sophomore season, Fancuberta’s mind has been locked in on pitching ever since the Indians scored in the bottom of the seventh last Tuesday to defeat top-seeded Saugus, 2-1, and advance to the final for the first time since 1984.

“I can’t get into anything lately. All I think of is softball,” Fancuberta said.

It’s difficult to blame her for being obsessed, after all, Fancuberta is not only the backbone of the Indians but the entire skeleton.

Fullerton is 18-13 this season, Fancuberta is 18-12. There is no looking over her shoulder when fatigue sets in. After all, she also is the Indians’ reliever.

Fancuberta racked up 193 innings during the regular season, nearly 40 more than the second-highest total. Add another 35 innings in Fullerton’s four playoff victories and her statistics become astounding.

And she only seems to be getting stronger.

After a slow start in which Fullerton lost 11 of 17 preleague games, Fancuberta overcame her confidence problems and pulled together the team. The Indians posted an 8-2 record in Freeway League play to win their first title in 10 years.

The league’s Most Valuable Player began the postseason by pitching 19 scoreless innings in the Indians’ opening-round shutouts over Savanna and fourth-seeded Lakewood.

She then followed with a two-hitter over defending champion Covina Charter Oak in the quarterfinals and held top-seeded Saugus scoreless over the final four innings enabling her team to claw back and win.

Fancuberta has an arsenal of pitches she brings to the circle, which include a fastball, drop, rise, curve, off-speed curve, change-up and screwball.

However, these days Fancuberta is finding the quickest way to get an out is through the defense.

“Our defense is doing really well,” she said. “Early in the season we struggled, but our team has turned it around and that is the biggest difference.”

Against Bishop Amat (22-4), Fancuberta will be facing a team that still remembers losing to Charter Oak, 3-1, in the championship game last year.

“I knew we would win league, but I never expected us to get this far,” Fancuberta said.

The Indians may be in unchartered waters, but with Fancuberta, they have someone to keep the team afloat.

FULLERTON VS. LA PUENTE BISHOP AMAT

Division II

When: 7:30 tonight

Where: Mayfair Park, Lakewood

Records: Fullerton (18-13); No. 2 La Puente Bishop Amat (22-4).

Starting pitchers: Angie Fancuberta (18-12); Christine Gil (10-2).

Noteworthy: Fullerton has won with defense, and if the Indians get a clutch hit or two, the title could well be their first since 1984--also the last time they won a Freeway League title. In three previous playoff games involving Fullerton, the better team on paper has lost. Bishop Amat, runner-up to Covina Charter Oak last year, fits the mold.