By Kyle Jorrey jorrey@theacorn.com

RELIABLE REPLACEMENT-Thousand Oaks freshman pitcher Brittany Reynolds filled in effectively during Tuesday's win over Westlake. She allowed just scattered hits and three runs. The Lancers are now 3-0 in league and tied for first with Royal.

It might not have been Jalen Rose, Chris Webber or Juwan Howard, but T.O.’s lineup of underclassman played every bit the part of "fabulous freshmen" during Tuesday’s 10-3 win over rival Westlake.

Freshman pitcher Brittany Reynolds threw a complete game and freshman catcher Marla Mathews had a two-run double and a two-run home run to help lead the Lancers (8-1, 3-0) past the Warriors (4-2, 1-2) in their first game back since returning from a spring break tournament in Florida.

"We saw such tremendous pitching in Florida that it really did a lot for our hitting," head coach Gary Walin said. "And you saw the results of that today. I don’t think we’ve put up 10 runs against Westlake in years."

With returning Marmonte League MVP Suzanne Cominski out with a sprained ankle, Walin placed an incredible six freshmen into the starting lineup for Tuesday’s game, more than he’s ever fielded in his long career at TOHS.

In addition to Reynolds and Mathews, freshmen Brooke Johnson, Emily Martino, Samantha Takeshita and Tiffany Messerschmidt all started.

"The most freshmen I’ve ever had start before this was probably three. I’ve never really started six," Walin said. "It’s a very good class. The youth coaches who coach these kids have done a really nice job getting them to this level, and we’re going to take them to the next. But they still have a lot to learn, and they’re going to make mistakes . . . I just feel like there’s such a huge upside with this team."

Mathews, who missed two games in Florida with a dislocated finger, had a breakout performance at the plate, recording four RBIs and just missing out on two home runs.

She appeared to have a grand slam in the fourth but her hard hit ball fell just a few feet short and bounced off the outfield wall. She got the required distance in the sixth.

Mathews said her coach’s pre-game prophecy come to fruition.

"My coach actually predicted this," Mathews said. "He said that now that (I’m back from my dislocated finger), I’m going to get on a hitting streak and I guess I did. I was more relaxed at the plate than I’ve ever been."

Shortstop Genna Adams, the lone starting senior, continued her tremendous season by going 3-for-3 at the plate and driving in three runs. Johnson, another freshman, had an RBI single in the bottom of the first that kicked off the T.O. scoring.

In the loss, the Westlake offense recorded an impressive nine hits, including two apiece from Monica Gonzales, Ava Amini and Megan Shie. Starting pitcher, freshman Jenna Becerra, looked tough at times but just couldn’t contain the hot T.O. bats.

Walin said he never would have considered putting eight freshman on his roster in the first place if not for his strong core of seniors, including Adams, Cominski, Courtney Rudloff, Katie Blue and Megan Shevlin.

"They’re great role models for these younger girls, no doubt about it," the head coach said. "I wouldn’t have kept that many freshman otherwise."

Next up for the Lancers is a game today on the road against Simi Valley (6-6, 1-1). The Warriors play on the same day at home against Newbury Park.

The Lancers first date with Royal, which sits tied with T.O. for first in Marmonte, is April 14.

"The more games we get into the season, the better this team is going to be. We have to remember that these younger girls still have a lot to learn," Walin said. "What I want is games, as many games as possible. That’s why I was so happy to win a couple games in the double-elimination tournament in Florida because we got to play four instead of just two."

Mathews said there’s more perks to having eight freshman on the team than just getting to play with your friends.

"Then all the freshman jokes don’t get pulled on you, it’s spread out through everyone," Mathews said laughing. "But seriously, our seniors are great. Every upperclassman is helping us make the transition."