Softball Notebook: Lancers Battle to Adjust to Life in Division 3

La Salle remembers those days when it was a perennial softball powerhouse. Over the last three seasons, the Lancers had reached the CIF-Southern Section Division VI finals, winning the title last year. They would also annihilate opponents in the Camino Real League, claiming three straight league titles.

This year is a different case. After division realignment this season, the Lancers were one of the schools that leaped the highest, moving to Division III and joining the uber-tough Del Rey League. Their transition has been one of the most difficult, having to face powerhouse softball schools such as Bishop Amat and St. Joseph. La Salle was the only newcomer to join the league, and the Lancers are finding life a lot tougher in the Del Rey League than it was in the CRL. The Lancers are winless in league play through six games.

“In this league, hitting has been the most difficult part of our transition,” Lancers coach Rich Diaz said. “These pitchers have done a really great job keeping our hitters off balance. When you play against teams like Bishop Amat, they know how to locate their pitches. At the same time, whenever we throw a mistake pitch, they will always make us pay.”

What makes it worse is the Lancers’ home field at Latter Day Saints in Pasadena has been unavailable due to construction since the start of the season. They have had to jump from spot to spot to play their home games either at Pasadena High or at Big League Dreams in West Covina, a 30-minute drive from where they attend school even without traffic.

“There is really no place like home this year,” Diaz said. “With all the construction, it is really out of our hands. The best we can do really is just play wherever we can. If Big League Dreams is the place we need to play, then so be it. We just have to go along with the ride.”

There have been some bright spots though throughout their season. Rachel Albright has been their stud in the circle, pitching in all 15 games this season. She has even thrown two no-hitters in her first varsity year against San Bernardino and Arcadia.

“I am extremely proud of her. She has really stepped it up as a young sophomore and doesn’t want to take any time off. She works extremely hard at practice, and I think this is a very good learning experience for her playing against some top-notch teams. As a coach, that is what you want from your pitcher.”

The Lancers still have a lot of work to do, but they are definitely taking this season as a learning experience. Knowing that things can’t be settled overnight, they have been willing to stay optimistic and at least play it out game by game, hoping to build toward next season.

“It’s actually something that is going to help us for next year,” Diaz said. “What we have taken out of this year is you just can’t take anybody lightly. These teams capitalize on your mistakes, and we have learned from that game after game. You have to be on your toes every inning and every out. Next year the bar will be raised knowing how the competition is and that these girls have at least a year in experience with these teams.”

Player of the Week: Denise Van der goot, Flintridge Prep

Van der goot had a phenomenal performance in the circle, recording 17 strikeouts in a 7-4 win against Rio Hondo Prep on Friday. She struck out the first nine batters in her first three innings of work. She kept her cool once the Kares had her number and threw a complete game to earn the win.

“I felt like my pitches were really working,” Van der goot said. “I did get a little tired near the end, but I battled through it. Rio Hondo is a good team, and picking up this win really helps us trying to get to the top of our game.”

La Cañada vs. Village Christian: O’Leary Vs. Seidel

In one of the more anticipated matchups of the past week, the Spartans faced the Village Christian Crusaders last Saturday morning in a doubleheader. The first game had all the buzz as Spartan pitching great Lauren O’Leary faced off against Village Christian’s Emily Seidel. The game started off as expected, with both pitchers throwing a shutout in the first seven innings of work. Megan Seipler broke the tie in the eighth, belting a double up the left centerfield gap scoring Jessica Ogden from first with two outs in the top of the eighth. O’Leary struck out the side in the bottom frame to pick up the 1-0 win.

“It felt good being out there,” O’Leary said. “My teammates helped me out with great defensive plays, and that one hit by Megan gave me the confidence to go out in the last inning and get the win for my team.”

The Spartans also won the second game 4-1. Anna Edwards went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. O’Leary also started the game throwing four innings to pick up the victory.

Game Recaps

Flintridge Prep 7, Rio Hondo Prep 4:

While Van der Goof had her day in the circle, Alina Okamoto had her time in the batter’s box going 3-for-4 and scoring all three times while on base. Ashley Kim had three RBIs, earning all three when she hit a three-run shot over the left field fence.

“Every time I go up there, I just have a lot of fun and whack at the ball,” Okamoto said. “Being a senior on the team it’s important to be that leader and do our best. Winning this game was huge as well. This will get us ready for Mayfield on Tuesday, and nothing but sheer confidence came out of this win.”

Other games of note:

Bishop Amat 8, La Salle 2; St. Joseph 5, La Salle 0; Flintridge Sacred Heart 6, Alemany 3; Banning 7, Flintridge Sacred Heart 1.

Rio Hondo and Pacific League races heating up

With just about a month left in the regular season, here's a look at how the leagues stand as of Monday, April 11.

Rio Hondo League:

1. La Cañada (8-3, 3-0)

2. Temple City (9-6, 2-1)

3. Monrovia (8-7, 2-2)

4. San Marino (7-4, 1-1)

5. South Pasadena (1-12-1, 0-4)

Pacific League:

1. Burroughs (10-6, 5-0)

2. Crescenta Valley (11-3, 3-1)

3. Arcadia (3-6, 2-1)

4. Burbank (4-8, 3-2)

5. Hoover (1-4, 1-2)

6. Glendale (1-8, 1-2)

7. Pasadena (4-7, 1-4)

8. Muir (0-4, 0-4)

Games on Tap

Monday: Monrovia vs. Northview 5:15 p.m.*

Tuesday: Flintridge Sacred Heart at Notre Dame, 2:45 p.m.; Monrovia vs. Cabrillo, 3:15 p.m.*; La Salle vs. Bishop Montgomery at Big League Dreams (West Covina), 3:15 p.m.; Flintridge Prep vs. Mayfield, 3:30 p.m.,

Wednesday: La Cañada at Temple City, 3:30 p.m.; South Pasadena at San Marino, 3:30 p.m., Monrovia at Cantwell-Sacred Heart, 5:15 p.m.*

Thursday: Monrovia at Tournament Final, time TBA*; Crescenta Valley at Arcadia, 3:30 p.m.; Flintridge Prep at Chadwick, 3:30 p.m.

Friday: San Marino at La Cañada, 7:00 p.m.

Saturday: La Cañada vs. La Reina, 8:00 a.m.^; La Cañada vs. Tournament winner/loser, 10:00 a.m.^; La Salle at South Pasadena, 1:00 p.m. (Doubleheader).

* Northview Tournament (Covina); ^ Thousand Oaks Tournament.

Manny Nunez's weekly “Softball Notebook” appears on all Patch sites in the San Gabriel Valley area.