Savanna not slowing down as it reaches 40 in a row

Savanna won its 40th consecutive Orange League game with a 20-0 victory over Century on Thursday at Century High. (Click here to see Savanna's record)

The last time the Rebels tasted defeat in league was a 3-1 loss at Western on April 29, 2004. The game remains burned into Savanna coach Mike Willey's memory because “we got homered” by umpire John Hill.

“We still call that the John Hill game,” Willey said jokingly.

Orange League coaches might want to call Hill and get him to come out of retirement if they hope to stop Savanna. It's an impressive accomplishment for any team to be that dominant in league. The Rebels have won 26 of the 40 games by shutout and 27 by the mercy rule.

Savanna has had some talented players go through its program during that span, including pitching ace Karina Rivera, third baseman Sarah Strong (Cypress College), second baseman Christina Gonzalez (Cypress College) and first baseman Chanel Hogue (Santiago Canyon College).

The Rebels' biggest rival in recent years has been Western, which had All-County pitcher Jennifer McElroy. Savanna swept both games against Western with McElroy in the circle in '05 and '06.

“I would say beating Western in 2005,” Willey said of the biggest victories during the streak.

"That turned the page for us from being a CIF qualifier to being a league championship team.”

This season, the Rebels have been getting contributions from their entire lineup to keep the streak going. Pitcher/leadoff hitter Tanya Dowler has given up one earned run in league and is hitting .365 with 29 runs and 13 stolen bases. Third baseman Brittany Marchant, who was the league MVP last season, is hitting .290 with 19 runs. Freshman shortstop Casey Snooks is hitting .381 with four homers and 27 RBIs. First baseman Cynthia Warner is hitting .377 with 24 RBIs.

NOTES

If Marina, which is in fourth in the Sunset League, is going to make a move, this is the week to do it. Los Alamitos and Esperanza are tied for first in league, and Marina gets a crack at both of them this week. The Vikings play host to Los Alamitos on Tuesday at 3:15 p.m. and they play at Esperanza on Thursday at 3:15 p.m.

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Contact the writer: carias@ocregister.com