INLAND FIELDHOUSE

I’m covering the Norco-Corona Santiago varsity softball game for The Press-Enterprise today. The best part of this assignment is sure to be talking to Santiago coach John Perez after the game. The veteran coach is can occasionally spit fire, and is just three weeks removed from leading Santiago’s girls basketball team to a CIF-Southern Section semifinal.

THE LOWDOWN:
The Cougars (4-2), a CIF champion two seasons ago, may be on the verge of another is the pitching can continue to keep up with the offensive superiority on coach Rick Robinson’s team. Norco began its season with a 10-1 victory over Riverside North in its Big VIII League opener, and has outscored opponents 22-5 since. Cougars pitchers have allowed an average of just one run per game this season.

The Sharks (7-3), playing their first home game of the season, are looking to avoid a rare 0-2 start in league after losing, 1-0, to Riverside King last week. A perennial Big VIII powerhouse, Coach Perez’s softball team, like his girls basketball teams, are expected to win league and challenge for a CIF-Southern Section championship. Anything less is not up to Santiago standards.

THE (PROBABLE) STARTING 9s:
NORCO — P: Emily Lockman; C: n/a; 1B: Jordan Emanuele; 2B: Michelle Paul; 3B: Heather Smith; SS: Kylie Reed; OF: Lauren Pulver, Macie Bayer, Jessica Angulo; DH: Megan Turner

SANTIAGO — P: Erin Romero; C: Lauren Sweet; 1B: Erin Rodriguez; 2B: Danielle Hernandez; 3B: Brenda Lee; SS: Carissa Turang, OF: Nicole Orozco, Jordan Mowatt, Alex Brayley; DH: Yvon Minogue

THE DIFFERENCE:
Playing in their first home game will be huge for the Sharks, who’ve begun the season playing 10 consecutive games at either a neutral site or on the road. Expect Santiago’s group of talented seniors (…) to benefit from an raucous opening-night-ish home crowd.