Kennedy Looks Golden Again

Kennedy High has recharged its battery for another run at the City Section softball championship.

Sandra Durazo, the Golden Cougars’ ace for four years and The Times’ Valley pitcher of the year last season, now plays for San Diego State.

But junior Patty Del Real, who transferred to Granada Hills last year, has returned to Kennedy, where she played as a freshman.

Del Real, a left-hander, will try to fill Durazo’s cleats. When Del Real isn’t pitching, Kennedy will start freshman right-hander Sara Castillo in the circle.

“They’re not Sandra, but who is?” Kennedy Coach Eric Moorman said. “You can’t replace Sandra. You’ve just got to kind of live without her. It’s different, but we’re hoping Patty and Sara can step up for us.”

Del Real is planning on it.

“A lot of it is on my shoulders, but I think I can do it,” said Del Real, who pitched sparingly and had a 2-1 record with an 0.30 earned-run average last season at Granada Hills. “I’ve improved a lot over the last year. I feel real confident. I’m ready to play; ready to show what we can do.”

Carin Garcia, who played catcher last season, has moved to left field to make way for another transfer.

Angie De La Cerda, a junior who started at catcher the past two seasons at Alemany, takes over behind the plate after transferring to Kennedy.

“Nothing gets by her,” Moorman said of De La Cerda. “She hustles all over, and she definitely knows what she’s doing back there.”

De La Cerda said she left Alemany reluctantly, for financial reasons, but is ready to play for her new team.

“I can’t wait for the season to start,” she said. “I like the girls here. We have some talent and I think we look pretty good. I think we’re going to have a good season.”

Kennedy’s transfers could prevent a transfer of power from occurring in the Northwest Valley Conference. Kennedy was 21-5 last season, including 10-0 in conference play, and made its second consecutive appearance in the City Section 4-A Division final.

The Golden Cougars played poorly in losing to rival El Camino Real, 2-1, in the championship game for the second year in a row. Kennedy committed six errors, and miscues led to both of El Camino Real’s runs in a nine-inning marathon that was nearly suspended because of darkness.

The Golden Cougars would like to make up for those mistakes this time around.

“I think it’s all in the top of our minds, that we lost, and especially how we lost,” Moorman said. “The girls are concentrating on what it takes to win a City championship.”

Kennedy has beaten El Camino Real in the regular season the past two years, but each time the Conquistadores rebounded.

Last season, El Camino Real (19-3) won its last 12 games to capture its ninth City title under Coach Neils Ludlow.

The Conquistadores return an experienced lineup, having lost only catcher Ramona Shelburne to graduation.

“They won it last year, so they’re the team to beat,” Moorman said. “But we’re definitely shooting for another shot at the City championship. They’ve got too many. It’s time for them to share.”

Kennedy has a young but seasoned group of infielders. Sophomore first baseman Christina Garcia, junior second baseman Cynthia Barraza, junior third baseman Louann Avila and sophomore shortstop Monique Acedo all are returning starters.

In the outfield, Carin Garcia will be in left, Acedo or freshman Breanna Mathisen will be in center and Eileen Solano will be in right.

Kennedy should not lack for offense, despite the loss of Durazo, who batted .475 with 22 runs batted in last season.

Six of the Golden Cougars’ top eight hitters are back. Carin Garcia batted .437 with four triples. She and Christina Garcia (no relation) each had 21 RBIs. Acedo had six doubles and hit two game-winning home runs. Acedo and Barraza each had 17 stolen bases.

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Girls’ Softball Top 10

Preseason rankings of regional high schools by sportwriters at The Times:

1: Simi Valley (Marmonte) 21-8 (last year)

2: Camarillo (Marmonte) 20-8

3: Quartz Hill (Golden) 18-8

4: Newbury Park (Marmonte) 18-9

5: Saugus (Foothill) 25-6

6: Hoover (Pacific) 18-9

7: Crescent Valley (Pacific) 20-7

8: Hart (Foothill) 23-9

9: Chaminade (Mission) 18-8

10: El Camino Real (West Valley) 19-3

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AT A GLANCE

* THE PROVEN: City Section 3-A semifinalist Verdugo Hills returns senior right-hander Kim Wood (15-3, 0.41 ERA) and left-hander Gina Ables (4-0, 0.78), and Coach Andrea Standley calls Bernadette Bell “one of the best outfielders in the City.” El Camino Real junior right-hander Ashley Redlin (12-3, 1.46 ERA) will miss at least part of the season for personal reasons. Junior transfer Angie De La Cerda, a catcher from Alemany who hit .346, gives Kennedy a boost. Junior Carin Garcia, who hit .437, is Kennedy’s top returner. Defending City Section 4-A champion El Camino Real has one of the best shortstops in the region in junior Cara Blumfield (.451). The Conquistadores also have versatile junior Kristi Nicklaus, an outfielder/pitcher (6-0, 1.09 ERA). Senior Gina Everett (.450, 24 RBIs) and junior Margot Nineberg (.340) lead Chatsworth. Senior Andrea Sheaffer (.400) was the top hitter for Taft, which returns all-leaguers in juniors Sarah Cartee (.349) and Melissa Viramontes (.238) and sophomore Tera Burton (.250). Granada Hills returns senior right-hander Amy Matthews (9-5, 0.72 ERA, 104 strikeouts in 107 innings) and senior power hitter Amber Dattilo (four home runs). Junior Morgan Bleimeyer (.368) returns to bat clean-up for Cleveland. Grant senior Sarah Rothman was the City Section’s top hitter with a .674 average. Teammate Jillian Ward is a three-year starter and batted better than .500. Sylmar has Van Nuys transfer Veronica Ramos (.508, three home runs, 26 RBIs) to go with an experienced lineup.

* THE PROMISING: Nikki Shaw and Shanna Slimak are versatile freshmen for Verdugo Hills. Kennedy welcomes freshmen Sara Castillo, a right-hander who is expected to shoulder some of the pitching load, and Breanna Mathisen, who can play in the infield or outfield. El Camino Real is counting on sophomore right-handers Stephanie Frasco and Jessica Vaught to help fill the void left by Redlin’s absence. Newcomer Karis Gant, a sophomore right-hander, will be the primary pitcher for Chatsworth, and freshman right-hander Kate Levin will fill the same role for Cleveland. Freshman Kelly Caldwell adds speed and freshmen sisters Christine and Priscilla Baca will give Granada Hills defensive help.

* FAST FACT: Defending champion El Camino Real has won nine of the past 13 City 4-A titles.