Donatella Gets 300th Win, Future Looks Good for More

Sylmar Coach Gary Donatella, who has been coaching for 17 years, won his 300th game last week.

Donatella expects to win many more with junior pitcher Ivan Hernandez on the mound. Hernandez is emerging as one of the top pitchers in the region. He is 3-0 with a 0.39 earned-run average, including 24 strikeouts in 18 innings and six walks.

“With Ivan on the mound, we have a chance against anybody,” Donatella said.

SOFTBALL

Injuries: Paraclete shortstop Lisa Ament will miss at least two weeks with a knee injury sustained Thursday in a nonleague game against Quartz Hill.

That same day, freshman pitcher Jessica Baumgartner was struck by a line drive in the left eye during the junior varsity game. Baumgartner, a varsity player who was getting work at the lower level, may face surgery and is not expected back this season.

“It’s been one thing after another,” Coach Margaret Neill said.

Road warriors: It’s a safe bet that Burroughs High’s softball team won’t get lost on its way to Friday’s nonleague game against Providence.

Burroughs’ home field is Diamond No. 3 at Olive Park in Burbank. Providence’s is Diamond No. 1 at the same park.

“Some road trip, huh?” Coach Pat Lynch said.

TRACK AND FIELD

Fresh face: With seniors Angela Terry and Nakeisha Perkins and junior Margaret Roche returning from last season’s Grant girls’ track and field team that finished sixth in the City Section championships, the Lancers were expected to be a contender this season.

But the addition of freshman Alexis Witherspoon has made them even more formidable.

Witherspoon won the 100 meters in 12.5 seconds and the long jump at 17 feet 1 1/2 inches in a season-opening, 97-28 victory over Canoga Park on Friday. She also teamed up with Terry, Perkins and Roche to win the 400 relay in 51.2.

“I know all about Angela, Nakeisha and Margaret,” Grant Coach Julio Ojinaga said. “But I didn’t expect this from Alexis. She surprised me.”