Softball: Can Hawthorne keep winning, even against Texans?

Gotta admit, cannot say I've ever blogged about Hawthorne, which deserves a big blog hug. Especially with the way these girls have been playing of late with eight wins in nine games, including a recent 22-0 mugging of Leuzinger. The Cougars (9-2) just may be deemed the class of the Ocean League.

One Cougar is particularly scorching: catcher Gabbrielle Valerio, who's a big reason -- maybe the reason -- Hawthorne has improved so much this season after finishing two games under .500 last season.

Valerio is hitting .447 with four homers and 28 RBIs. She has six doubles and two triples. But the most critical thing you need to know about Valerio: The kid's only a freshman.

Next up for Valerio and Hawthorne: a couple teams from Texas this weekend in the Lincoln tournament. Let's hope the Cougars can de-spur these Texans.

-- Anthony Stitt

-- Image from www.tvsquad.com