A Left-Right Punch Gives Camarillo a Twin-Killing

Kathryn and Meredith Nevard of Camarillo High had Thousand Oaks seeing double Wednesday afternoon, as in double trouble.

About 90 minutes after Kathryn Nevard pitched a three-hitter to fuel Camarillo’s 3-1 victory, her twin sister Meredith followed suit with a three-hitter in a 1-0 victory to complete the sweep for the Scorpions in a nonleague softball doubleheader at Camarillo.

The Nevards, who are juniors, are identical twins with one distinct difference: Kathryn is a right-hander, Meredith is a left-hander.

Kathryn--eight minutes older--is the veteran, having played on the varsity team the past two seasons and helping lead Camarillo to the semifinals of the Southern Section Division I playoffs last year.

“Kathryn is tough,” said Coach Gary Walin of Thousand Oaks. “Best pitcher we’ve seen all year. We’ve always had a hard time scoring against her.”

Fortunately for Walin and Co., Camarillo is no longer in the highly competitive Marmonte League.

The Scorpions (5-0) moved into the newly formed Pacific View League, a fact that doesn’t sit well with Kathryn.

“I wish we were still in the Marmonte League,” she said. “Now we’ve dropped to a weaker league and dropped in the [newspapers’] rankings and no one thinks we’re as good [as last year].”

Sweeping Thousand Oaks (6-2), The Times’ top-ranked team, might change that.

Camarillo (5-0), ranked No. 8 by The Times, overcame a 1-0 deficit in the first game with a three-run sixth inning.

Ali Taverner and Nikki Sutton walked to lead off the inning, Jenn Byrne singled to right field and pinch runner Kari Kooker scored when Kim Martin’s throw got past catcher Michelle Spencer.

Sophomore Melissa Ziese followed with a liner to center. Center fielder Shannon Teverbaugh ran forward to make the catch, but lost her footing. The ball went sailing past her, scoring Sutton and Byrne.

“We kind of gave away the first game,” Walin said.

Kathryn Nevard (3-0), who pitched a no-hitter and struck out 15 against Hueneme a day earlier, allowed three singles, two walks and struck out three.

In the second game, Camarillo manufactured a run in the second inning off Nicole Angelo (3-1), who gave up four hits and struck out seven.

Byrne singled to right to lead off the inning and advanced to second on a throwing error. She scored four pitches later on two passed balls.

Meredith Nevard (2-0) allowed singles in the first, second and third innings and struck out three.