DOWNEY - The Downey Calvary Chapel girls' softball team currently holds a 10-7-1 overall record and are once again looking to be Alpha League champions and making a run at another C.I.F. Division VI championship.The Lady Grizzlies are led by standout players Larissa Petakoff and Bridget Castro, whom have both missed several games early due to injuries. Both players are back now and this certainly explains why the Lady Grizzlies have won eight straight games and are playing at such a high level. Petakoff is 4-0 with an E.R.A. of less than 1 and has 24 strikeouts in 20 innings. Castro is hitting .643 since her return with 28 R.B.I. and 22 runs scored. The Lady Grizzlies are also led by first baseman Jasmyn Cortez and former East Knight standout catcher Sydney Colenzo. Freshmen Micayla Linn and Jewell Gerl are also making strong contributions. Having players play in positions they are not accustomed to playing is certainly difficult for any team. Other role players have gained valuable experience during this stretch and have held down the fort as it appears that the reinforcements have finally arrived. The Lady Grizzlies are currently ranked second in Division VI behind a solid Citrus Valley squad and are on a collision course to face them in the playoffs. Upcoming games at home against Marshall and away at Parcelete in the coming week will certainly give Coach Tom Osburn a better idea of exactly how his team compares to such quality teams at this point in the season. As any coach will tell you, Coach Osburn not excluded, having a healthy team is a key component to winning in any sport and at any level. Downey Calvary Chapel appears poised and ready to compete for another Division VI championship and has the athletes ready to get it done.

********** Published: April 12, 2012 - Volume 10 - Issue 52