AREA HIGH SCHOOL NOTEBOOK / SOFTBALL

All-Valley utility player Elena Ferrero of Harvard-Westlake has decided not to pitch until she fully recovers from a tendon injury in her knee.

Ferrero, who was 10-6 with a 1.11 ERA last season as a freshman, is 2-1 this season. She will continue to bat for the Wolverines.

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Traditional regional power Saugus could go a long way if it can keep from giving up the long ball.

The Centurions (6-3), who advanced to the championship game of the Gahr tournament, allowed six home runs last week.

“I don’t think I’ve seen six home runs in 10 years,” Coach Ron Hilton said. “Teams don’t bunt on us anymore. Why should they?”

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How important is second baseman Tara Yasumoto to Lancaster’s lineup?

The Eagles are 4-3 with her and 0-2 without her.

Yasumoto, a junior, is batting .529 with three doubles and two triples, but sat out most of Lancaster’s last three games because of illness and a pulled leg muscle. The Eagles lost all three games.