Spring Sports : SOFTBALL

La Puente Bishop Amat has made the most out of a potentially difficult situation. Three days before the start of the season, Coach Joanne Calendar resigned. Anxious to find a replacement, school administrators enlisted the help of vice principal Kathie Wiard, whose only softball coaching experience was as a Bishop Amat assistant in the late 1980s. Ward, in turn, recruited her husband, Richard, to be the co-coach. The Lancers have adjusted well, compiling a 15-4 record, and a No. 10 ranking in this week’s Southern Section Division II poll. Bishop Amat has victories over such ranked opponents as Glendora St. Lucy’s, Whittier La Serna and Sante Fe Springs St. Paul. “The kids have banded together and just focused on playing softball,” said Richard Wiard, who also teams with Kathie to coach the girls’ basketball team. “It’s been enjoyable for us and the team. Winning is always fun.” Lancer pitcher Chrissy Gil has a 14-3 record and has given up only three earned runs in 107 innings. Freshman outfielder Brandi Cross leads the team with a .400 batting average. . . . Stacey Nuveman of St. Lucy’s may be the premiere all-around player in the Southland. Nuveman, who was one of the final cuts for the U.S. Olympic team while playing shortstop, has signed with UCLA, where she will move to her best position, catcher. The senior is hitting .438, has an on-base average of .600 and has scored 11 runs. “She’s a special player,” said St. Lucy’s Coach Dave Confair, whose team is 16-3 and ranked No. 2 in Division III. “We can put her at any position on the field and feel comfortable.” . . . Riverside Arlington (12-5) is the No. 5-ranked team in Division III thanks largely to its ability to win close games. The Lions have won six one-run decisions and are 9-1 in the Ivy League. Allison Tinker is 7-1 with an earned-run average of 0.70, and Kim Dietrich has three victories and is batting .364 with eight RBIs. Catcher Bobbi Way leads the team with 12 RBIs.