1994 LOS ANGELES TIMES : All-Ventura Softball Team : Player & Pitcher of the Year : Marmonte Marvels : Kristi Fox: Only Sara Griffin pitched better than sophomore who emerged from Newbury Park bench.

From where Newbury Park High’s Kristi Fox sat at the beginning of the year, postseason accolades were the furthest thing from her mind. She was, after all, sitting on the bench.

But, as the Panthers endured a slow start and a coaching change six games into the season, Fox finally earned a starting position. And by year’s end, she was the go-to girl who helped the Panthers finish second in the Marmonte League at 10-4 and 21-8 overall.

Although only a sophomore, Fox, the Times’ Ventura County player of the year, was an unlikely reserve. In 1992, she had pitched the the Newbury Park Bobby Sox all stars to a national title. Certainly, this Panther needed to be on the prowl.

Once she was given the chance, she quickly proved herself and became the team’s most productive player, according to Coach Mike Morgan.

Morgan had replaced Wally Thornhill, who resigned six games into the season amid speculation that disgruntled parents forced him out.

“She’s a real easy kid to work with,” Morgan said. “She’s got a real strong work ethic.”

Although Fox lost her first two starts against Simi Valley and Camarillo, she rebounded to win 10 of her next 11 and finish 10-4 with a 0.47 earned-run average.

Fox, who uses a mix of drops, changes and curves, threw six one-hitters, struck out 118 in 105 1/3 innings and allowed only 33 hits.

She also played four games at third base, two at first, one in right field and one in left. Although she would like to pitch exclusively, she is happy just to play.

“I always have more fun when I get to play,” she said.

Fox led the team with a .346 batting average with three doubles, six runs batted in and eight runs.

Fox, 16, probably could play any position for any team in the county. But it’s her dominating drop ball that distinguishes her from the rest of the pack in the fiercely competitive Marmonte League.

“I’d love to pitch all the games, but if it means playing only half the time, I’d rather play a position,” she said.

Fox shared pitching starts with senior Carolina Bernal, but pitched every inning of the Panthers’ three playoff games. Fox threw a no-hitter, her second of the year, and struck out five against Righetti in the first round and recorded her ninth shutout of the season with a four-hitter in a 2-0 victory over Cerritos.

Uneasy about accepting praise, Fox credits her teammates.

“I owe a lot to my catcher and my infield because I throw a lot of drops and there’s a lot of ground balls,” she said. “So, I don’t think the stats show everything.”

1st-Team All-Stars Invited to Times’ Awards Ceremony

Players selected to the All-Valley and All-Ventura County baseball and softball teams are invited to a Times’ awards brunch Sunday at 9 a.m. at the Warner Center Marriott in Woodland Hills. The guest speaker is Rich Hill, baseball coach at University of San Francisco who formerly coached at Cal Lutheran.