Swenson, Tredway Lead the South

With a lineup that included Foothill’s Lauren Bauer and Woodbridge’s Lizzy Lemire, it’s not so shocking that the South won Wednesday’s Orange County all-star game for only the second time in six seasons.

The real surprise was the team’s stars. San Clemente’s Stephanie Swenson and Los Alamitos’ Cyndi Tredway played key roles in the South’s 1-0 victory.

Swenson, a pitcher, still doesn’t have a college scholarship. Tredway, a third baseman, has a scholarship to UC Irvine--to play soccer.

Swenson (16-9, 0.40 earned-run average) pitched three innings, gave up two hits, walked one and struck out four. She got the victory and the South’s most valuable player trophy.

Tredway had two hits and the only run batted in, a first-inning single off Pacifica’s Toni Mascarenas that scored Westminster’s Kelly Hauxhurst. Hauxhurst had walked and advanced on a fielder’s choice.

Canyon’s Veronica Lopez was the North’s MVP, getting a single, pitching a 1-2-3 third inning and throwing out Mater Dei’s Shealee Dunavan at home plate from left field on Tredway’s second single.

The night was especially rewarding for Swenson.

“It means a lot to me to get the [game’s] MVP award,” Swenson said. “You’re playing with the best of the best, and it’s nice to be recognized among them.”

She is to meet with coaches at Long Beach State next week. If nothing works out, she may attend UCLA, where she would try out for the NCAA power.

The South Coast League MVP, Swenson said the award shocked her: “It surprised me. Mater Dei had a lot of players who could have taken it. I didn’t expect to get it.”

San Clemente (16-10) took second to Mater Dei (28-6).

“She was the MVP of our league and rightfully so,” said Mater Dei’s Doug Myers, who coached the South. “She meant everything to that team. . . . She’s a big-time pitcher, in my opinion.”