SPRING HIGHLIGHTS : El Camino Real Sets Mark With 51st Win

The El Camino Real High softball team set a state record Thursday by winning its 51st consecutive game. The Conquistadores defeated Cleveland, 2-0.

“It’s exciting to do it, but I’m not sitting here thinking about it,” said first baseman Corey Fischer afterward. “Winning four straight City championships would be more exciting.”

El Camino has won the last three City 4-A championships and will begin its quest for a fourth on Tuesday in the first round of the playoffs.

Beth Silverman (15-0), who has accounted for each of the Conquistadores’ wins this season, led El Camino against Cleveland by pitching a one-hitter. Stacy Trapp drove in Darci Stehlik in the first inning for El Camino’s first run. In the third inning, Fischer drove in Trapp for the second run.

Cleveland’s Heidi Rudley ruined Silverman’s bid for a no-hitter with a fifth-inning single.

Righetti of Santa Maria had held the consecutive-victory record until Thursday, winning 50 straight between 1979 and 1981. El Camino’s last loss came in a preseason game against Sylmar in 1984.

Calabasas 8, Tehachapi 0--Sophomore Carolynn Blake pitched a one-hitter and struck out 10 as Calabasas advanced in the first round of the Southern Section 1-A playoffs. Linda Essegian was 3 for 4 with a triple and two runs batted in, and Alison Elis added two hits and two RBIs.

Newbury Park 8, Hart 0--Pitcher Debbie Dickmann struck out 13 and allowed just two hits to lead Marmonte League champion Newbury Park in the first round of the Southern Section 4-A playoffs at Newbury Park.

Hart, which finished second in the Foothill League, committed six errors in the third inning to give Newbury Park four unearned runs. Newbury Park batters added three earned runs to make it a seven-run inning.

El Segundo 7, L.A. Baptist 0--El Segundo scored one in the first, two in the third and four in the sixth in the first round of the Southern Section 1-A playoffs at Cal State Northridge.

Canoga Park 9, Birmingham 0--De Dow pitched her second consecutive one-hit game and was 2 for 3 with three RBIs and three runs scored to lead Canoga Park in the final West Valley League game for both teams.

San Fernando 12, Monroe 1--Monroe barely avoided a shutout, getting a run in the sixth inning on two hits off San Fernando starter Sandy Alcantar. Alcantar, who struck out nine, carried a no-hitter into the sixth.

Taft 3, Reseda 1--Taft’s win in the West Valley League finale clinched the league’s final playoff berth. Taft was led by Genevieve Munsey’s two hits, while Reseda was paced by Darcy Ramstead, who was 2 for 3.

Kennedy 8, Chatsworth 2--The win enabled Kennedy to defend its North Valley League title. Kennedy (9-1 in league, 15-5 overall) was led by pitcher Pauline Madrid, who had two hits, three RBIs and limited Chatsworth (6-4) to only three hits.

High School Baseball

Chatsworth 12, Taft 1--Chatsworth clinched its sixth straight West Valley League championship as Mark Schauer (7-0) pitched the first five innings to get the win. Teammates Marcelino Mendoza, Matt McCourt and Brent Ruedy each had two hits.

Birmingham 4, Granada Hills 2--Pitcher Kevin Gelbard posted his first win against Granada Hills by tossing a five-hitter and going 3 for 4 at the plate. Teammate Kevin Costa was 2 for 4 with two RBIs, and Toby Lopez was 2 for 3 and added two RBIs for Birmingham. Granada Hills, which has lost four of its last five, dropped to 10-4.

North Hollywood 4, Hollywood 0--Perry Montapert threw a two-hitter and struck out six while not walking a batter to lead North Hollywood.

Poly 7, Verdugo Hills 0--Poly’s Ray Palafox threw a three-hitter and teammate Luis Porres was 3 for 3 with a two-run homer.

Sylmar 7, Fairfax 6--Rick Diaz hit a three-run homer in the third inning, while Kevin McDonnell had a two-run single to lead Sylmar.

Monroe 14, Van Nuys 0--Monroe scored 11 unearned runs on 10 Van Nuys errors. Monroe had 16 hits against three Van Nuys pitchers.

Jason Robart led Monroe in the Mid-Valley League game, going 3 for 5 with two RBIs.

Reseda 3, Cleveland 2 (8 innings)--Reseda scored two in the first on a two-run homer by Donnie Grant. Cleveland tied it in the second on an error and back-to-back triples by Dave Lerma and Kirk Surabian.

El Camino Real 2, Canoga Park 0--El Camino scored a run in the first and a run in the second.

High School Tennis

Chatsworth 4, Taft 3--Chatsworth clinched the West Valley League title with the victory. The Chancellors improved to 15-0 overall and 9-0 in league.