Softball Notebook: Berry A Staple at Crescenta Valley

Banners surround the outfield fences at Crescenta Valley High School. Nearly every year since 1983, the Falcons have been crowned Pacific League champions. One man looks on game after game, with his hand on his chin over at third base, but doesn’t say much.

He just lets the girls work their own magic, only needing to intervene if he sees his troops in trouble, which is a rarity. That man is Dan Berry, head coach of the Falcons since 1982.

Berry has been in charge of the Falcons program for 26 seasons. The Falcons have 18 league titles under Berry, and they won a CIF-Southern Section title in 1986.

After a three-year coaching stint at Pierce College, Berry returned to Crescenta Valley in 1997, he came back for the main reason any high school coach ever would, and has been a part of the program ever since.

“I do it for the kids,” Berry said. “Year after year it’s always a rewarding feeling for me. It’s truly amazing how much these players take care of themselves. Players I have every year lead not only by example, but by things they do off the field.”

Year in and year out, Berry has had his fair share of success. His most recent came in 2008, finishing with a 29-1 record, though its lone loss came against La Serna in a division semifinal matchup. The record and finish didn’t take away the talent they had on that team though. Heather Bacon and Kari Cancelosi both sported sub 1.00 ERAs, and both are attending four-year colleges in Utah.

Cancelosi also in her career had sub-1.00 ERA all four years. But nothing can be compared to what Baillie Kirker did. In 2009, she was a first team All-America selection and was a National Player of the Year finalist. In her first year she set the California home record for freshmen with 16 home runs, and later shattered the career record with 53. She is also the all-time RBI record holder with 191. She now attends the University of Arizona.

“When I look back, it is still an honor to be able to teach them what I know,” Berry said. “You as a coach try not to single players out saying that one is better than the other. You coach them treating them as individuals, and you get the same amount of contentment and desire from each player treating them the same way.”

Falcons senior Erin Ashby has shown signs of talent while under Berry. Last year, she was selected as an All-State second team selection, but as an infielder. She also earned Pacific League MVP honors that year.

Berry didn’t use her as a pitcher full time until this season, which has helped the Falcons to a 14-3 record. Her .645 batting average this year will undoubtedly make her a candidate for All-State again, and she recently committed to playing at Stanford next year.

“With a player like Ashby, its remarkable to see her apply herself both on the field and in the classroom,” Berry said. “She has her priorities in order, signing on to Stanford as a school, first. She will probably go on into dentistry, and knowing her, she will have an outstanding career as a Cardinal come next year.”

Though, year after year, while Berry and the Falcons have dominated the Pacific League, he doesn’t think there should be a lot of pressure to accomplish that goal each season. He lives on one simple coaching philosophy with all his players, and has used that to his advantage in his 26 seasons.

“All I ask from these players is to compete and do the best you can,” Berry said. “We don’t set goals saying you must win a certain amount of games. Competing and supporting your teammates are on the top of the list.”

La Cañada and its success

Two schools in La Cañada are separated by just a hill. Flintridge Prep lies right along Foothill Boulevard, while La Cañada is just down the hill about a mile away. Both schools are enjoying success this season as they each hold leads in their respective leagues, the Prep and Rio Hondo Leagues.

Flintridge Prep suffered a loss against Westridge 8-6 last Tuesday, though they were able to make it a game after a rough start. The Rebels managed to tie it in the fifth after trailing 6-1, but the Tigers scored their two runs in the bottom frame to earn the win. Ashley Kim had multiple hits in the game going 2-for-4. Caitlin Gilman was in the circle for the Rebels going six innings and allowing five earned runs. Three of the runs for the Tigers came on four Rebel errors.

The Rebels did bounce back, taking down Poly 8-0 last Thursday on a near perfect performance from Denise Van der goot. Van der goot went six innings allowing a hit while striking out 13. Chelsea Johnson went 3-for-4 with three RBIs. With that win, the Rebels hold a game lead over Rio Hondo Prep and Mayfield in the Prep League standings. Flintridge Prep currently holds the tiebreaker over both teams.

La Cañada on the other hand has never looked so good. After relying on the success of Lauren O´Leary the last few weeks, the Spartans instead managed to win on its bats. In Rio Hondo League play, the Spartans took down both South Pasadena and Monrovia to go 7-0 and hold a 2 ½ game lead over San Marino, who they face this Wednesday.

The Spartans shut out the red-hot Monrovia Wildcats 7-0 to start the week. Stephanie Drange got to Monrovia’s Emmy Orozco early driving in two runs to start the game off, and later scored to go ahead 3-0. While Orozco only lasted four innings, Adrienne Guerra threw the final three, but struggled to start her outing as well. Aubri Thompson had a bases clearing RBI double to put the Spartans up 6-0. She also later scored in the inning.

La Cañada later took down South Pasadena 19-0. O´Leary only needed two innings in the circle while Alyssa Stolmack closed things out in the final three.

The Spartans might have a chance to close out the league title this week. After facing San Marino Wednesday, they have Temple City Friday night at home. With a little bit of help from the rest of the league, they might be able to wrap things up for the third year in a row.

Monrovia’s woes

After losing to La Cañada last Wednesday, the Wildcats had its chance to redeem themselves against Temple City on the road Friday. Eleven innings were needed to decide the final outcome, but it was Jessica Lociano and the Rams that brought home the winning run, taking down Monrovia 6-5.

The Wildcats´ only offense came in the fifth inning. With the bases loaded, Elise McCarthy cleared the bags with a triple. In the ensuing at-bat, Schae Simpson launched a two-run home run.

But the Wildcats were done in by their inability to produce with runners in scoring position. Monrovia went 3-for-16 with runners in scoring position for the game.

“Leaving runners on was the story for us all game,” Wildcats coach Randy Medina said. “When you look at the seven innings we had to score, it truly hurts. We couldn’t lay down bunts, couldn’t move runners over, let alone have them score. It is what it is, and it’s always tough to lose like this.”

Monrovia can still recover with an all-important game against San Marino on the road Tuesday. Currently the Wildcats are in fourth place in the Rio Hondo league at 2-4, though a half game back of Temple City.

Player of the Week: Erin Ashby, Crescenta Valley

Known for her dominance in the circle this year, Ashby used her bat against Pasadena with finesse. Ashby was just a triple away from the cycle, going a perfect 3-for-3 with a grand slam in a 16-1 win over the Bulldogs.

“You just have to hit the ball and do what’s best for the team,” Ashby said. “Once one person hits, it becomes contagious. Being in that leadoff spot you just have to swing away and set an example for the rest of your team and keep it going.”

Game Recaps

Crescenta Valley 16, Pasadena 1; Crescenta Valley 22, Muir 0; Burbank 10, Arcadia 0; Burroughs 5, Arcadia 0; San Marino 3, Temple City 2; San Marino 5, Temple City 0; South Pasadena 11, Poly 6; La Cañada 19, South Pasadena 0; La Cañada 2, Thousand Oaks 1; La Cañada 6, Hart 4; Marymount 5, Flintridge Sacred Heart 4; St. Joseph 4, La Salle 2

Games on Tap

Monday: Windward at Flintridge Prep, 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Glendale at Crescenta Valley, 3:30 p.m.; Pasadena at Arcadia, 3:30 p.m.; Monrovia at San Marino, 3:30 p.m.; Flintridge Prep at Webb, 3:30 p.m.; Flintridge Sacred Heart at Chaminade, 3:30 p.m.; Muir at Burbank, 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday: South Pasadena at Monrovia, 3:30 p.m.; La Cañada at San Marino, 3:30 p.m.

Thursday: Hoover at Crescenta Valley, 3:30 p.m.

Friday: San Marino at South Pasadena, 3:30 p.m.; Temple City at La Cañada, 7:00 p.m.

Saturday: Chatsworth at Flintridge Sacred Heart, 8:30 a.m.*; La Salle at Temple City, 10:00 a.m. (doubleheader); Louisville at Flintridge Sacred Heart, 12:30 p.m.*

*-Spring Fling, San Fernando HS

Manny Nunez's "Softball Notebook" appears weekly across all Patch sites in the San Gabriel Valley.