Downey-Warren set to battle for softball title

DOWNEY - The Downey High School softball team currently has an overall record of 9-5 and will start league play when they host cross-town rival Warren at Downey this Tuesday.Downey was a San Gabriel Valley League co-champion last season with Warren, at 9-1, respectively. Both teams want to win the title outright and know each other well. The Lady Vikings were recently defeated by King, 2-0, on March 23, defeated by Centennial, 6-5, on March 23, defeated Chino Hills, 7-4, on March 26 and were defeated by Santa Fe at Santa Fe, 4-3 and 7-4, on April 2 in a double header. The Lady Vikings will have a busy league schedule once they return from spring break. Downey will host Gahr on April 11, play Sonora at the Downey Classic Tournament the following day, play at Paramount on April 16, host Dominguez on April 18 and participate in the Thousand Oaks Tournament on April 20. The Lady Vikings are led by senior pitcher Ale Guillen, returning Dream Team and S.G.V.L. Player of the Year senior Anissa Urtez and junior Alexis Zavala. The Lady Vikings are currently ranked fifth in the Long Beach Press Telegram's top ten poll while Warren is ranked sixth. Cross-town rival Warren will once again provide Downey with tough competition. Warren senior pitcher Kendall Zarate and her Bear teammates will battle Downey for the San Gabriel Valley League's top spot. Coach Karzen and his team are looking forward to the start of league play and competing for another league title and deep run in the C.I.F. Division III playoffs. WARREN The Warren High School softball team currently has an overall record of 7-5 and will start league play next Tuesday on the road at Downey. Warren and Downey were co-S.G.V.L. champions last year with 9-1 records, respectively. Warren defeated Cathedral Catholic, 9-2, on March 23 and Santa Fe at Santa Fe, 5-3, on March 26. The Bears have gained valuable game time experience this pre-season in preparation for the start of league play. Once Warren returns from Spring Break, they will certainly have a busy league schedule. Warren will host Dominguez on April 11, play at Lynwood on April 16 and travel to Paramount on April 18. The Bears will follow that up by playing in the La Mirada Showtime Tournament on April 20. The Bears have been led by the strong pitching of returning S.G.V.L. Pitcher of the Year senior Kendall Zarate and the consistent field play of junior Arika Araujo, sophomore Whitney Pemberton and senior Justene Reyes. Coach Starksen and her team are looking forward to the start of league play. A San Gabriel Valley League title and a strong run in the C.I.F. Division III playoffs are certainly goals for the upstart Bears. Cross-town rival Downey will once again provide Warren with tough competition. Warren is currently ranked sixth in the Long Beach Press Telegram's top ten poll while Downey is ranked fifth. Downey senior pitcher Ale Guillen and her Lady Viking teammates will once again battle Warren for the San Gabriel Valley League's top spot.

********** Published: April 4, 2013 - Volume 11 - Issue 51