Spring break means tournament time for local teams
By Kyle Jorrey
jorrey@theacorn.com

ROCK AND FIRE-Oaks Christian pitcher Kyle Leonard winds up to throw. The Lions, like many local teams, are using the spring break to compete in games to prepare themselves for postseason play.

While most of their classmates are enjoying family vacations, time with friends or simply a week of rest and relaxation during spring break, many student-athletes are taking advantage of the time off to compete in tournaments throughout California, and even in other parts of the United States.

Especially in baseball and softball, where the sunny spring weather is optimal for some much needed warmup games to prepare for the rigors of league play. Rather than just settle for local competition, many teams take advantage of the week off from school to schedule games against ballclubs miles away from home. The competition can be fierce, especially playing away from home for four days, but teams know it’s not just about wins and losses, it’s about getting better and closer as a team.

The Thousand Oaks girls’ softball team made the furthest stretch this year by competing in in the Kissimmee (Fla.) Klassic, a monstrous 47-team tournament that features a full serving of some of the nation’s best softball programs. The tournament begins today for the Lancers and lasts until April 2.

The Lancers (5-0, 2-0) are currently tied for first with Royal for first place in Marmonte. They’ve won three games by one run.

On the boys’ side, the Lancers bounced back from two losses in three league games to win in the first round of the San Luis Obispo Easter Tournament, 10-2, over San Ramon Valley of Danville, Calif. The 16-team tournament also features Marmonte League rivals Newbury Park and Royal.

The Panthers (7-5, 2-1) opened the tournament Monday by knocking off perennial Valley powerhouse Crespi, 7-5, before getting shut out by an 11-1 Royal team, 4-0, in the second round.

The Newbury Park softball team has no scheduled games this week.

The Marmonte League-leading Westlake Warriors’ baseball team is in Northern California this week to try its best in the Bishop Mitty West Coast Classic (see related story, page 35) held at Santa Clara University. Westlake lost its opening-round game to Bishop O’Dowd of Oakland, 6-1.

The Warrior softball team, in the meantime, has the week off until returning to play at Thousand Oaks on April 5.

The La Reina softball squad, in the midst of a five-game winning streak, also has no games scheduled for spring break. The Regents (5-2) return to action April 7 against Pacifica of Oxnard, a team they beat 6-2 a week ago.

At Oaks Christian School, the girls’ softball team, which has been hurt by the injury bug early, will use the week to recover before taking the field April 5 against Carson. The Lions are off to a 5-2 start but don’t play their first Frontier League game until April 12.

Last but not least, the Oaks Christian baseball team is in action this weekend at the Righetti Tournament in Santa Maria.

Today, the Lions (3-5, 1-0) take on Le Grande High School and host Righetti in opening day action.