Camarillo Splits Twin Bill

Having to face twin pitchers Kathryn and Meredith Nevard of Camarillo High in consecutive games on the same day is a daunting task for any high school softball team.

If one doesn’t beat you, don’t blink because the other one probably will.

That’s what happened Thursday to Thousand Oaks in a nonleague doubleheader at Camarillo.

The Lancers made the most of three hits off Kathryn Nevard to claim a 2-0 victory in the opener. But her sister Meredith, a crafty left-hander, took revenge with a four-hitter for a 1-0 victory.

“We went for half a Nevard buster,” said Coach Gary Walin of Thousand Oaks. “We saw the heat [in the first game] and then the junk [in the second].”

Neither Walin nor Coach Miki Mangan of Camarillo was disappointed by the split. After all, it was expected.

Thousand Oaks (13-3-1) is top-ranked in the region by The Times, and Camarillo (12-6) is No. 4.

For years Thousand Oaks and Camarillo were Marmonte League rivals. Four of the last five Marmonte titles have been claimed by one or the other.

But once Camarillo moved to the Pacific View League a year ago, it simply meant one less obstacle in the Marmonte title quest for Thousand Oaks.

The doubleheader proved the two teams haven’t forgotten their storied rivalry.

In the first game, Thousand Oaks scored in the first inning with speed and aggressive baserunning.

Michelle Spencer bunted for a single to lead off the inning, stole second and went to third on a passed ball. With one out, Spencer scored on a squeeze by Jenni Perez.

“Do you think with [Kathryn Nevard] pitching I’m going to wait to see if we can get a hit out of the infield?” Walin said. “I don’t think so.”

Despite allowing an earned run in the third, Kathryn Nevard had great command of her pitches, her riseball in particular. She struck out 11 and walked one.

But it was Nicole Angelo of Thousand Oaks who claimed victory in the classic pitchers’ duel. Angelo threw a one-hitter, struck out seven and faced three batters over the minimum.

The Scorpions wasted no time against Angelo in the second game.

Alana Mendoza ripped a liner up the middle to lead off the game and went to second on a sacrifice. Beth Boskovich followed with single up the middle and Mendoza scored.

Angelo (13-2) allowed five hits in the second game.

Meredith Nevard (2-0) scattered four hits, struck out five and pitched out of jams in the fourth and sixth.

In the fifth, right fielder Grace Morris threw out Andi Keesling at the plate.