This weekend, the California Crushers Girls' Softball team begins a tough series of six fastpitch softball games over three Saturdays. The run up to the Amateur Softball Association winter ball championship tournament has begun. The Crushers, a Burbank-based team, ended the regular season in a three-way tie for first place with an overall record of 10 - 2. Teams from Burbank, Los Angeles, Oxnard, and San Fernando have competed in the ASA fall event since September.

This season saw the Crushers play with mixed results, as they seemed to barely win some games while distracted by the beginning of the school year, cheerleading, PSATs/SATs, and the adventures of teenage dating.

The girls hit the field last Saturday to face Thunder (3-9) in game one. The Crushers battled on the mound as Chantel Brevard hurled four strikeouts while allowing only one run.

The Crushers' offense reflected the team name as they prevailed by a score of 11-1, ending the game after just four innings of play. Their next opponents were the ladies of West Valley Mayhem (6-6). Maddy Long pitched a hard-fought first inning but had to come out of the game due to intense pain from tendonitis.

Jenna Martin was pressed into service and finished off Mayhem in five innings with a 6-4 victory. Throughout the season, the Crushers have been led by John Stansbury (team manager) and coaches Neal Martin and Andy Van Pelt.

At the end of round one (12 games), the high school division finished up as follows:

1. Burbank Heat (10-2)
2. Sylmar Lady Hawks (10-2)
3. California Crushers (10-2)
4. Rebels (8-4)
5. So Cal Ringers HS (6-6)
6. Heatwave HS (6-6)
7. West Valley Mayhem (6-6)
8. Valley T (6-6)
9. California Flames (5-7)
10. California Thunder (3-9)
11. La Canada (3-9)
12. Impressions (3-9)
13. Lady Raiders (1-11)

Teams ending round one with equal records were then matched against head-to-head competition to determine rankings.

The Crushers completed a 30 games summer season - which included ASA games - scoring 132 runs on 156 hits, for a team batting average of .253. They were lead by Roxy Halebian (.358), Cassie Colón (.315), Brittini Spear (.313), Nicole Molin (.286), and Angela Parker (.283). On the mound, Jenna Martin led all pitchers with an ERA of 1.30.

Parents and coaches from all of the teams have supported the players throughout the season. They have cheered for great plays and awesome hits, as well as moaned when close plays went against their team. If you have not made your way to McCambridge Park or Olive Recreation Center, I encourage you to do so. The World Series has started, and soon the only stick and ball game that will be left to watch is softball -- but that too will soon come to an end.