All-Stars Get the Word on Adams

Everyone knew Julie Adams’ reputation as a softball player, but outside of Cypress High this spring, she was all but forgotten.

Her statistics were never published. She was never listed among the county leaders. She didn’t make the all-county team.

Nothing.

But Wednesday night at Brea Olinda, Adams showed why there is a UCLA scholarship and Junior World Championship and Olympic Festival uniforms waiting for her later this summer. She was two for two, drove in four runs and led the North to a 6-2 victory in the fourth North-South All-Star game.

“My coach [Diane Pohl] didn’t turn in stats,” Adams said after being named the game’s outstanding player. “But recognition isn’t what it’s about. I felt good about my performance all year long, and I’m real excited to be going to UCLA next year.”

Adams couldn’t say what she batted this year, but her father said it was .395. It was 1.000 against the South’s Marcy Crouch (Marina) and Kathy Ponce (Ocean View).

Three errors--one by Michelle Churnock (Foothill) and two by Lynette Velazquez (Marina)--loaded the bases in the second inning and Adams lined a two-run drive into the right-center field alley for a 2-0 lead. La Habra’s Aimee Weathers scored on a wild pitch, and Adams scored when El Modena’s Jennie Foyle grounded to third. Adams had the inning’s only hit.

She added two more RBIs in the fifth. With the bases loaded--Kennedy’s Lisa Pitt doubled and there were two walks--Adams grounded through the hole at shortstop, scoring Pitt and Weathers.

Villa Park’s Brandee McArthur struck out seven and gave up one unearned run in four innings for the victory.

Crouch, Ponce (5) and Bruce. McArthur, Harrison (5), Pitt (7) and Slaney, Takasaki (4). W--McArthur. L--Crouch. Sv--Pitt. 2B--N: Adams, Pitt. 3B--S: Backlund. HR--S: Velasquez.