Small Schools’ Big Wheels Will Play in Desert Classic

Much of the attention in the region’s softball community will be focused on the Thousand Oaks tournament this weekend, but that isn’t the only show in town.

While many of the Southland’s top Division I and II teams will be battling in Ventura County, several of the top smaller schools will begin play at the Desert Diamond Classic in Lancaster.

La Reina, ranked No. 1 in Division V, tops a 16-team field on Saturday at Lancaster City Park.

Paraclete, ranked No. 8 in Division V, will try to win the tournament for the fifth time in six seasons. La Reina, led by Mackenzie Vandergeest, All-Southern Section catcher, won the title in 1998.

Oak Park, St. Bonaventure, Santa Paula, San Fernando, Alemany and Notre Dame are also in the four-round tournament, which concludes May 6.

Golden League teams Antelope Valley, Littlerock and Palmdale will also participate.

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Paraclete’s 9-8 record is deceiving.

The Spirits were hit with several early-season injuries, including four to key starters.

Pitcher Sara Gonzales continues to be hampered by arm troubles, but the rest of the lineup is healthy and Paraclete is back on schedule to claim its 22nd consecutive league title. The Spirits are 3-0 in Alpha League play.

Pitcher Lauren McDonald has been effective, but the return of shortstop Jackie Kolesar has been the turning point.

Kolesar, a junior, missed the first 11 games and Paraclete stumbled to a 3-8 record.

The Spirits are 6-0 since the junior returned on April 1.

“Having her back has made a huge difference,” Coach Margaret Neill said of Kolesar, who is batting .556 (10 for 18) with eight runs batted in. “It’s not just on offense. She’s solidified our infield and done a great job defensively.”

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Kelly Cornelison, an All-Foothill League outfielder, missed Saugus’ first 15 games with a wrist injury but returned to action last week at the Woodbridge tournament.

It might take a while for Cornelison to regain her hitting stroke--she was one for her first 11--but she is making her presence felt.

On Monday against Hart, the center fielder threw out a runner at the plate with two out in the bottom of the eighth of a scoreless tie. Hart won, 1-0, in 11 innings.

“It’s good to have her back,” Coach Ron Hilton said.

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Nicole Giordano was repeatedly asked who she was rooting for in the Hart-Saugus game.

Giordano, a standout at Arizona, was a four-year starter at Saugus and led the Centurions to their only section title in 1996.

Her mother, Cathy, is in her second season as coach at rival Hart.

Giordano managed to stay neutral.

“That’s why I’m sitting where I am,” she told fans while she sat directly behind home plate.