Young Louisville Endures Growing Pains

Louisville High is paying its dues this softball season.

With only one senior in the lineup, the Royals (3-6) don’t figure to challenge for the Mission League championship, but a talented group of young players has Coach Dana Vasquez optimistic about next season.

She has good reason.

Sophomore Veronica Valencia and freshmen Christine Craighead, Joanna Mostarda, Megan Schlopy, LeAnn Egan and Annie Kinsey played last summer on a travel team that won a 14-and-under national championship, and promising pitcher Susie Cavanaugh, a transfer from L.A. Baptist, will be eligible next season.

“Give us a year to blend our talent and understand the system and we’ll be fine,” Vasquez said.

*

Junior shortstop Kianna Urbanski has had quite a turnaround for Lancaster.

As a freshman, she batted right-handed. Last season, she was a switch-hitter.

This season, Urbanski is strictly a right-handed hitter.

She has responded with a .462 average and eight stolen bases as the leadoff hitter.

“She’s doing a real good job of it,” Coach Kara Johnson said.

*

La Canada has made a good start toward its third consecutive Rio Hondo League title.

The Spartans (5-0) are 3-0 after a victory Tuesday over league rival South Pasadena and have not lost a Rio Hondo game since 1999.

Junior Kelly Kalish is a big reason.

Kalish, the league’s most valuable player as a sophomore, has not allowed a run in 25 innings. She had a 0.47 earned-run average last season.

“Kelly is definite Division I potential,” Coach Bart Dickens said.