DiMarco Has Heart of Steal

PALMDALE — Kristi DiMarco, Palmdale High’s fleet softball outfielder, has a letterman’s jacket that reads “Stealing isn’t a crime if you don’t get caught.”

If that’s true, DiMarco has an almost spotless record.

She has stolen 122 bases in her career, including 33 in 35 attempts this season.

On Saturday, DiMarco collected her 30th hit to become the region’s first member of the 30-hit, 30-stolen base club.

“I don’t keep track of stats,” said the All-Valley center fielder, who eclipsed the 100-100 mark for her career earlier this season. “My only goals are to get as many as I can and to improve every day.”

DiMarco, a senior who has yet to commit to a college, entered the game Tuesday against Quartz Hill with 129 career hits and a .465 average in 1998. She needs six runs to reach 100 in her career.

“She probably is as important to our team as any player I’ve ever had,” Palmdale Coach Gene Speidel said. “She gets a base hit or a walk and it’s almost like a double. You know she’s going to take the base.”

And it’s almost criminal how easy she makes it all look.

Almost.