Charles Rich
GLENDALE -- Crystal Dingman regularly punished opponents with her
top-flight offensive and defensive skills.
A glance at the Verdugo Hills High softball catcher's 2001 statistics
would support why she was chosen the Sunset Six League's Most Valuable
Player.
Dingman, a senior, helped lead the Dons (24-4-1) to a second
consecutive league championship. Under Dingman, Verdugo Hills advanced to
the second round of the L.A. City Section Championship Bracket playoffs.
Dingman batted .426 and collected a team-high seven doubles for the
Dons, who went undefeated in league play for a second consecutive season
under Coach Darren FitzGerald. She finished with 30 runs batted in, tying
her for the team lead with Jessica McGivney.
Twenty-six of her 38 hits were singles, and she stole 12 bases.
Dingman scored 32 runs and hit a pair of home runs.
Dingman's defensive statistics weren't too shabby. She registered 179
putouts and had 29 assists for a .971 fielding %.
Four Verdugo Hills players -- Jessica McGivney, Laura Hovestreydt,
Danielle Burch and Jennifer Lombardo -- were selected to the league's
first team.
McGivney, a pitcher and infielder, excelled in the circle for the
Dons. The sophomore right-hander finished with a record of 11-3 and
recorded 10 complete games in 14 appearances.
She struck out 77 and yielded 14 earned runs to sport a 1.19
earned-run average. McGivney, who should provide the Dons with additional
savvy pitching next season, allowed 46 hits in 82 innings.
McGivney, who usually batted cleanup for Verdugo Hills and had 10
extra-base hits, finished with 30 hits and drove in 30 runs. She batted
.337 and tied with Hovestreydt for the team lead in home runs with three.
Hovestreydt provided Verdugo Hills with plenty of speed on the base
paths and patrolling center field. The standout sophomore, who batted
leadoff, led the Dons in six offensive categories.
Hovestreydt had an area-leading 47 hits, scored 34 runs and batted
.516. She also led the squad in singles with 38, stole 26 bases and had
four triples in 91 at-bats.
Burch complemented McGivney to anchor the Dons' pitching staff. The
junior, who also played right field, finished 11-1-1 and tossed 11
complete games.
Burch, a right-hander, tossed 95 innings and struck out a team-high
118. She allowed just 14 earned runs to post a 1.03 ERA.
On offense, Burch had 28 hits in 85 at-bats to sport a .329 batting
average. Burch finished with six hits and drove in 18 runs.
Lombardo, a senior shortstop, batted .446. She had 29 hits in 65
at-bats and drove in 15 runs. Lombardo scored 31 runs and had two triples
and a home run for the Dons.
Regina Sisk, Jessica Meza and Kristen Mogensen were selected to the
league's second team.
LOCALS ON 2001 ALL-SUNSET SIX LEAGUE SOFTBALL TEAM
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
Crystal Dingman, catcher, Verdugo Hills, senior
FIRST TEAM
Jessica McGivney, pitcher/infielder, Verdugo Hills, sophomore
Laura Hovestreydt, outfielder, Verdugo Hills, sophomore
Danielle Burch, pitcher/outfielder, Verdugo Hills, junior
Jennifer Lombardo, shortstop, Verdugo Hills, senior
SECOND TEAM
Regina Sisk, outfielder/infielder, Verdugo Hills, junior
Jessica Meza, infielder, Verdugo Hills, junior
Kristen Mogensen, infielder, Verdugo Hills, junior
